2009 Rural Youth Bursary Winner - Abby McKenna
Naracoorte teacher Abbey McKenna, the inaugural winner of the $5,000 Rural Youth Bursary, is using her bursary as a study grant to visit Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
“I am visiting schools, orphanages and community development organisations that aim to educate disadvantaged and at-risk youth, and programs that facilitate women in being self sufficient,” said Abbey, 25, a teacher at the Naracoorte Independent Learning Centre.
“Many of the organisations are tackling the same problems that young people in Australia face such as homelessness, poverty, self-esteem problems, and the practice of unhealthy behaviours.
“I am very excited about gaining skills in relation to successfully dealing and creating programs that confront such issues.”
Abbey is travelling with her father Dean McKenna, from Kimba, who will use his Eyre Peninsula farming and business background to pass on his knowledge of farming sustainability, business strategies and Australian Rules football at the places they visit.
Over many years, the Rural Youth international movement helped to link farming communities and forge many friendships up until it was wound up in 2008.
