My sister Philippa – Olympic Torch Bearer From Mexico (01.05.12)

Excitement levels are building here as in three weeks my sister Philippa will be running with the 2012 Olympic Torch through Glastonbury, Somerset.

As a family we were extremely proud to hear that the British Embassy, in Mexico City had nominated her as a torch bearer in recognition of her work with New Life Mexico.

To actually make the final list of Torch Bearers is fantastic.

Philippa set up New Life Mexico ten years ago after initially working as an orphanage volunteer in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. After setting up New Life Mexico as a UK Registered Charity (of which I am a Director and Trustee) our initial focus was on assisting with all aspects of street children’s rehabilitation.

Today New Life Mexico continues to focus exclusively on supporting vulnerable children and young people in Mexico through social, health and education programmes. Philippa is our Field Director and is permanently based in Mexico. We employ a few dedicated locals and like all charities are continually juggling our work with limited budgetary constraints.

Nomadic Thoughts is New Life Mexico’s UK office and in addition to supporting the charity financially we donate our services to cover all the charity’s administration.

I recently visited our project work in Mexico and was as ever humbled by the dedication of Philippa and our local team. The inspiration I get from the children’s zeal for learning and energy to embrace such difficult futures is frankly monumental. Although we are very much a grass root charity it really is outstanding the impact Philippa has made to so many vulnerable children’s lives.

For further information please see www.newlifemexico.com – in the meantime look out Usain BoltPhilippa Vernon-Powell is in your slip stream!

The following photos are a selection of images I captured whilst visiting the various projects we are involved in across a variety of local colonias (districts).