FROM Cronulla to Central America, Alana Kaye is taking her studies into the real world.
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Ms Kaye, who is completing a degree in humanitarian affairs at Charles Darwin University, is combining text book knowledge with international volunteering experience.
Ms Kaye volunteers with World Vision Australia, the nation's
largest charitable group, which provides assistance to those living in poverty with long-term community development projects.
She has volunteered with the organisation since 2011 and her connection started when she saw the organisation's work in Honduras.
She sponsored a child, Velinda, 11, and met her family in Marcala last year.
While she was there, she visited three other remote villages.
"It was an incredible experience," she said.
"I wasn't aware of the significant impact that can be made on a whole community simply by supporting one child.
"World Vision has helped local farmers to be trained in the production of coffee."
The student and flight attendant is also affiliated with Kiva, a non-profit organisation that encourages people to loan money to low-income entrepreneurs in developing countries.
"My project is with a woman in Burundi, Africa, who wants to start a pottery business," Ms Kaye said.
"I lent her a small sum of money along with 60 other people throughout the world and together we provided her with $1500 to buy the clay she needed to open a shop."
Ms Kaye has recently decided to sponsor another child in Haiti.
This month (May 12-18) marks National Volunteer Week and Ms Kaye said volunteering had "changed my perspective on how I live my life".
"Through volunteering my time with these organisations I have learnt that giving is its own reward," she said.
— Eva Tejszerski
