Vodafone Foundation searches for charity workers

The Vodafone Foundation is searching for eight individuals to work as part of its 2009 World of Difference scheme.

The chosen eight will work for a UK registered charity of their choice, and receive a salary of up to 25,000 plus 20,000 for expenses.

The World of Difference scheme is the Vodafone Foundation's flagship programme and invests, along with its local partner foundations, around 36 million per year into charitable projects.

So far, 120 people have participated in the scheme, currently adopted by 12 foundations around the world. However, this number is set to increase significantly in 2010 through the expansion to 18 foundations.

"The success of the World of Difference programme over the last two years is testament to Irish people's desire to give back to society and their ability to bring about positive change to communities in need," said Carolan Lennon, director of Vodafone Ireland Foundation and Consumer Director, Vodafone Ireland, in a statement.

She added: "In these challenging economic times, charities are in urgent need of sustained support more than ever."

Additionally, the Vodafone Foundation itself has invested more than 100 million since its inception in 2002, focusing primarily on disaster relief and helping disadvantaged children through sport and music initiatives.

"At SolarAid, we've found it invaluable to have World of Difference awardee Miguel Ramirez working for us and a huge boost to our solar work in the developing world," said SolarAid's executive director, Nick Sireau.

He added: "Vodafone Foundation's World of Difference award is a fantastic opportunity for highly talented individuals to commit a year of their life to a charity they believe in."

2008's winner, Lucy Caslon, was able to dedicate a full year to a charity she co-founded, called Msizi Africa.

"The World of Difference programme has catapulted Msizi Africa' from an unknown charity to one that's making a major difference to children's lives in this sector," she said.