Think of ten people who have changed the world… before you start counting off names like Mother Theresa and Mahatma Ghandi, try looking a little closer to home. Ten ordinary South Africans spent the past year making a difference in communities around the country through the first ever Vodacom Change the World programme. The programme, in partnership with The Sunday Times, mobilises skilled professionals to take time out and work for a community or non-profit organisation for one year. Now the opportunity to change the world by giving your skills, talent and passion to a charity is available to YOU.

Vodacom is, once again, giving 10 South Africans the opportunity to donate their time and expertise as volunteers at one of 10 non profit organisations that serve various local communities, for a period of 12 months. The 10 volunteers will get the chance to share the skills and experience that they possess and which are so desperately needed by the identified non-profit organisations.

The 10 non-profit organisations taking part in the next leg of the Vodacom Change the World programme include:

• Association for People with Disabilities (APD) Polokwane, Limpopo
• New Beginningz, Tshwane
• Jo’burg Child Welfare Society, Johannesburg
• The Smile Foundation, Johannesburg
• Free State Residential Care Centre, Bloemfontein
• Nurturing Orphans of AIDS for Humanity (NOAH), Umhlanga
• Algoa Bay Council for the Aged (ABCA), Port Elizabeth
• Tertiary School in Business Administration (TSiBA), Cape Town
• Ndlovu Care Group, Groblersdal, Mpumalanga
• FAMSA, Upington

More than just a volunteer
On top of providing these organisations with an experienced volunteer, Vodacom will provide a grant of R70,000 to each organisation. A further R10,000 per month, to cover project related costs to be managed jointly by the NPO and volunteer, will also be provided.

Each participant will get a monthly stipend of R25,000 to cover their living expenses, a laptop, mobile phone and pre-paid credit so that they can share their experiences with the world and inspire others to make a difference as well.

Apply to change the world
Entries for the 2012 Vodacom Change the World programme will be open from the 8 January to 10 February 2012. So if you are a skilled professional who wants to give back to those in need, visit vodacom.co.za/changetheworld to find out more about the NPOs  involved, the positions available, necessary qualifications and to apply online.