Sarah Harper - A Youth with a Mission

University taught me the importance of community, living together and helping individuals of all backgrounds, not just those of a culture you may understand. At Lancaster I was fortunate enough to go to the GD Goenka World Institute in Delhi, India, working with others on community projects including teaching English in schools in slums and projects to empower women to start businesses. This trip taught me how we must work together and help provide the tools to help themselves rather than assuming we already know the best way for them. 

After graduation I went to study at King’s College London and then to work for them as a Research Worker in the Psychological Medicine department. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the job, working in research further encouraged me to seek a job working directly with others, empowering communities and helping individuals, rather than working behind a desk. After my contract finished I stayed with a Christian charity 'Youth With A Mission', working for them in return for food and board in Sydney. I intended to go home after three months, but then signed up to a programme the charity ran called a discipleship training school; this involved three months of theology lectures and community work in disadvantaged areas of Sydney and then two months of work with vulnerable populations in a developing country. YWAM programmes and ministries have impacted thousands of students and individuals worldwide.  I know the DTS programme will not only help others, but will also help me grow in confidence and strength, giving me a better idea of how to pursue not only a purposeful and rewarding career but also a purposeful and rewarding life. As the programme will cost around £5000 I am now having to fundraise a large amount of the costs myself. For more information visit www.gofundme.com/sarahs-dts and www.ywam.org