Name: Elly Mawson

Country: United Kingdom

Elly credits her background in Musical Theatre for increasing her self-confidence. It was from this, she decided she wanted to teach others how the arts can help in all aspects of life, and upon leaving college with her diploma, Elly worked as an after school play worker and teaching assistant. This gave her invaluable teaching experience, which she would use again while traveling to India with Girl Guiding UK. At an event called ‘Discover Your Potential’, Elly worked in the local community with young women and girls helping with their education.

On her second time in India, Elly spent her time working at a school in a Leper Colony, alongside a teacher from Canada. After teaching children from Standard 3 to 7, Elly realized encouraging today’s youth and educating them on global awareness and the understanding and acceptance of all different cultures and religion was her true inspiration. Since returning from India in July 2012, Elly has since started a childminding business. This business provides childcare for parents who otherwise would not be able to work. It also gives young people in the area a chance to work hands on in childcare so that they gain experience to establish if they want to pursue an education or career in working with children.

Elly believes the opportunities she has experienced in her own life only strengthen her resolve to ensure the younger generation’s access to the same opportunities