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Youth Advocate Scholarship
A mission trip to Nepal in early 2026 – will you join us?
The Leprosy Mission New Zealand's Youth Advocate Scholarships enable students with a passion for overseas missions to experience our work, learn about the causes and consequences of leprosy, share time with people affected by leprosy and raise awareness and funding for Leprosy Mission projects.
During the trip, you will meet with those affected by leprosy, visit community self-help groups, complete a two-night trek in Nepal, and possibly even watch a reconstructive surgery take place (actually in the theatre!).
Over the past 10 years our Youth Advocates have provided funding for vehicles, electricity generators, water pipes and pumps, equipment for the prosthetics department, x-ray machines and medical equipment at Anandaban Hospital which treats leprosy patients.
This is a life-changing opportunity that will shift your perspective on what is truly important, whilst you make some amazing friends along the way.
Past Youth Advocates had this to say…
"Amazing trip that has included so much in a short time"
"The complete environment - place, people, experiences have all been perfect"
"I feel like the group was hand-picked by God"
Don’t take our word for it – get in touch and we can connect you with a past youth advocate!
You now have an opportunity to be there and get involved.
Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions - youthadvocates@leprosymission.org.nz
What to expect
Take a leap of faith, apply for the Youth Advocate Scholarship and be prepared to make a difference for people affected by leprosy in one of the poorest regions of the world.
This experience has it all:
- Immerse yourself in the local culture, share the life stories of people affected by leprosy, and Leprosy Mission staff
- Overview of all aspects of leprosy-related work including In & Outpatients, physiotherapy, research labs, rehabilitation, reconstructive surgery
- Visits to community-based rehabilitation projects
- Time to explore the culture and commerce of cities and villages
- Trekking in the Kathmandu Valley
- A minimum 10-day trip in January 2026
- Leprosy Mission senior manager leadership
As a Youth Advocate Scholarship candidate, you are challenged to:
1. Raise Sponsorship
You are challenged to raise a sponsorship of $500.
2. Tell Us Who You Are
You are challenged to tell us about yourself, your interest in leprosy, and how you will learn from a field visit to witness our work.
3. Let Us Get To Know You Better
A meeting will be held in Auckland in early October to bring together all Auckland-based Scholarship candidates. Skype/phone interviews will be coordinated for candidates outside the Auckland region.
Application Criteria
Youth Advocate Scholarship Recipients:
- Tertiary student in 2025 and 2026
- Under 25 years old as at 31/12/2025
- Year 13 students in 2025 intending to go to tertiary study in 2026 can apply (parental consent for those under 18 years old)
- Students in their Gap Year during 2025 or 2026 may apply
- Sponsorship/fundraising of a minimum of $500
- Ability to obtain a valid passport and Visa
- Good general health for travelling
- Availability for the Nepal field trip in January
- Live in New Zealand
- A sound understanding and enthusiasm for the mission and core values of Leprosy Mission New Zealand
- Commitment to raising awareness and funding for Leprosy Mission projects in 2026. This will be your primary mission focus for that year.
*Please get in touch with us if you do not meet the criteria as there are options available to be involved in the Youth Advocate experience.
*If you are selected to be a Youth Advocate, you will be expected to complete a police check and sign The Code of Conduct of The Leprosy Mission New Zealand.
The Youth Advocate Scholarship includes:
- Fully paid flights
- Overseas accommodation
- Meals
- Internal transport in Nepal
- Travel Insurance
Scholarship successful recipients are responsible for:
- Passport
- Visa
- Travel to and from Auckland Airport
- Discretionary spending money
- Vaccinations and medication
- Police check
- Sign The Code of Conduct of LMNZ
To find out more about the Youth Advocate Programme please contact us at youthadvocates@leprosymission.org.nz
Scholarship FAQs
Passport
I do not have a current passport. Can I apply for my passport after I know if I am a successful Scholarship recipient?
If you are travelling on an NZ passport there should be adequate time between Scholarship recipients are announced in August (latest- mid-September) and travel (mid-January of the following year - approximately 10 days travel). If you are travelling on any other passport and need to update your NZ visa, then you should allow more time.
Fundraising
All fundraising challenges close on July 31st together with the application close.
However, they are all eligible to take part in the event and funds raised will be credited next to their name.
How will Leprosy Mission support my offline fundraising?
You can be provided with an off-line sponsorship form for names and amounts to be collected and then bank these donations to 02 0264 0029018 06 (or 006) with your name.
We can provide you with a letter of endorsement confirming that you are raising funds for the Leprosy Mission’s work.
You can ask for copies of our inTouch magazine or create flyers or posters in support of your activity.
Contact Nadia on youthadvocates@leprosymission.org.nz
Travel
Does it matter if I have not travelled previously?
No. The questions on the application regarding travel simply provide LMNZ with information about the travel experience of the group to enable sufficient resources and preparation support for the Scholarship recipients.
What do I do if my Semester starts early and clashes with the timing of this travel?
Travelling to witness the work of the Mission is a unique experience for many people of your age and Uni Course Coordinators have been flexible in their approach to enable students to maximise this opportunity.
Please contact Nadia (youthadvocates@leprosymission.org.nz) for more detailed tour information to provide to your university decision-makers.
Eligibility
Can I apply if I am turning 24 years in 2026?
Contact us as you may still be able to apply as long as you are a tertiary student and not working full-time in 2026.
What happens if I am not sure of my tertiary plans for 2026?
You can apply and advise LMNZ later of your tertiary plans for 2026. However, you will need to have confirmed your plans by the end of September (mid-October at the latest) 2025.
Health and Safety
What are the health risks in Asia?
As with any travel in developing countries, there are manageable health risks in travelling to Asia. Scholarship recipients are provided with comprehensive information for vaccinations before travel and medical supplies during travel.
We are based close to Leprosy Mission Hospitals with fully qualified general medical staff.
What are the leprosy health risks?
Over 95% of the world’s population has immunity to leprosy bacteria. We will be meeting with people affected by leprosy who have already started their course of medication and are not infectious.
What action is taken in an emergency?
The Scholarship recipients are accompanied by two senior members of LMNZ staff who are experienced travellers in this region.
In the case of an emergency for an individual, decisions will be made in conjunction with the individual, their family and senior local staff.
In the case of an emergency for the group, decisions will be made in conjunction with senior local staff.
Further information:
Contact us at youthadvocates@leprosymission.org.nz or call 022 199 5758.
Reflections from a 2017 Youth Advocates
"I was delighted to find that the teaching the Leprosy Mission gave me in Nepal 6 years ago is still relevant, and I'm grateful for how it's helped me treat these 2 patients..." says Callum.
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