Making a difference for friend in Myanmar

Teenager Destiny Pereka says her calling is to make a difference.

Destiny Pereka was 10 when she had a paper run for four years and sponsored a girl of the same age in Myanmar.

Both girls are now aged 16, and at the end of September the two teens will meet when Destiny visits Myanmar.

Destiny cleaned houses and gathered firewood to raise funds for her trip.

She will travel first to Cambodia with her mum Katrina before they travel to Myanmar to meet her sponsored friend.

The meeting was organised by World Vision and the Pereka whānau also has a teacher friend living in Myanmar.

"I believe there are a lot of things in this world that need to change," said Destiny, a student at Tu Toa high performance sports school.

"I like people; I want to make a difference. That is my calling."

In Cambodia Destiny and Katrina will be working at The Grace Centre home for abandoned children where they will build a shower/toilet block.

"When we get there, we will paint and open these new facilities. We will also paint a Kiwiana mural for Child Rescue and teach the children games and waiata," says Katrina.

Child Rescue helps children from sex trafficking and sex exploitation.

The children were promised safe jobs in the city to help provide for impoverished families but instead they are forced into brothel work.

Since 2011 Child Rescue has rescued more than 2500 children.

After reintegration the girls receive followup care for two years.

The team of eight youths and two adults have been raising money for the trip.

If you can help and have a job for the team, contact Katrina on 0273545807, or Tu Toa 356-5898