Fact Sheet Page

Third World Awareness started in 1989 when a Toronto Catholic School drama teacher named John Calaghan put out a notice asking if any students would be interested in traveling to Kingston Jamaica to work with the poor. Fifty-four students signed up and after that first year the trips became a regular pilgrimage during the school's March Break. John Calaghan retired in 1998 and thought that the following trip in 1999 would be his last. This would not turn out to be true as several former students who were now in University asked him to keep the trips going. The travel time was changed from March to May in order to accommodate the students' University schedule. They soon afterward established the group as an official Charity naming it Third World Awareness.

TWA has volunteered in three countries since 1990. Jamaica, Nicaragua and Haiti.

Over 300 volunteers ranging from ages 16 - 70 have participated on the trips.

In over a decade of travel and service to the poor Third World Awareness has never had a serious incident of harm to any of its members.

TWA has provided scholarships, built school playground equipment and kitchen facilities, painted and repaired school buildings, provided funds for community activities, assisted orphanages and medical clinics and provided comfort for the sick and dying. Provided beach trips for school children who very rarely or even never venture out of their own neighbourhoods.

TWA has raised over One Hundred Thousand Dollars in its history to bring young people to developing nations and to provide assistance and service to the poor. It has provided thousands of dollars more in donated goods such as medical supplies, school supplies and clothing.

TWA offers a unique and open way to enrich the lives of young people and bring them to a better understanding of the world and to a greater understanding of themselves as human beings.

Important dates for 2007 trip.

September 24, 2006 - General meeting and time for new members to declare their interest in coming on the trip and meet the others.

November - General meeting. First deposit of $100.00 is due at this meeting for all those who have committed to coming on the trip. This deposit is non-refundable.

January - Second deposit of $200.00 is due. This deposit is refundable should you cancel your trip but will not be returned until after the trip.

February - General meeting. The balance of your flight is due at this meeting. TWA will endeavour to assist you in obtaining a flight after this date but will not be required to do so. You will be responsible for your own flight after this date.

May 1/06 - Be prepared to leave anytime after this date depending on when we can book the flights. We depart somewhere between the 7th and 19th of May. The trip is for two weeks plus we recommend that you allow yourself an additional week after you return to Canada before returning to work or school.