Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. (PotashCorp) is sending 25 youth volunteers to Kenya, East Africa on a Me to We volunteer trip to experience Free The Children’s innovative Adopt a Village development model. Free The Children is a leading international development organization with a focus on youth engagement and education.   As the founding partner of the new Agriculture and Food Security pillar of Free The Children’s established Adopt a Village development model, this is the first year PotashCorp has offered 25 trips for qualified and engaged youth from across Canada.

To be chosen for this life-changing opportunity, youth are between the ages of 13 and 19, show ongoing community involvement and a commitment to agriculture and food security issues among other criteria. Five of the spots on the trip are reserved for children of PotashCorp employees. This year they are Kelli Stangeland and Madison Reed from Rocanville, Megan Antaya from Saskatoon, and Nicole Osborne and Hannah Watson from New Brunswick. The 20 other youth are from Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.

“I’m really excited to go to Kenya and super-excited that it’s so soon! I’m most looking forward to working in the local communities and learning some Swahili. I don’t know the other youth going yet, so it will be great to meet new people who share my values, make new friends and then volunteer when we get back,” said Megan Antaya, the daughter of Allan employee Karl Antaya.

Benefits of the trip include learning about the five pillars of sustainable development and contributing to farming projects in rural communities, all while gaining valuable leadership skills. The participants will also explore local villages, build schools, learn about traditional Maasai culture and take Swahili lessons.

Most importantly, each youth volunteer will support community development through the work of Free The Children. PotashCorp will offer a similar opportunity for 25 engaged youth, with an interest in agriculture and food security, in northwest India during the summer of 2014.

Me to We Trips opens up a world of learning and adventure. Since its inception in 1999, Me to We has sent thousands of young people overseas to volunteer, build cultural understanding, transform their own lives and help change the world. With year-round volunteer and leadership trips for youth and schools, Me to We Trips also offers customized experiences for families and corporate groups. It’s truly a global learning experience unlike any other. More information on Me to We Trips can be found at www.metowe.com/volunteer-travel.

As the world’s largest crop nutrient company, PotashCorp plays an integral role in global food production. The company produces the three essential nutrients required to help farmers grow healthier, more abundant crops. With global population rising and diets improving in developing countries, crop nutrients such as potash, phosphates and nitrogen offer a responsible and practical solution to help produce the food we need, from the land we have.

For further information please contact: