She was recently selected to be a youth ambassador for Hope: Global, a faith-based non-profit organisation that exists to restore hope and justice to countries that have been devastated by genocide, war and poverty.

Their mission is to serve other people and nations to reduce poverty, achieve sustainable development and to bring spiritual strength and social justice to every segment of society.

Through the youth ambassador program Abbey, along with four other young people from across the state, will learn about poverty reduction, development and leadership skills.

This will take part over a series of monthly meetings and will culminate in January when Abbey and the rest of the group will travel to Cambodia to experience first-hand the plight of those in third world countries.

The group will visit Hope: Global partnerships and programs.

“I’m so excited to be taking part,” Abbey said. 

“I’ve done trips before with my mum to Africa and this year to Fiji where we have done volunteer work, so I’m really looking forward to going to Cambodia. 

“We’ll be visiting one particular organisation that rescues young woman from trafficking or may have been raped.

“I think that will be very interesting work and I’m looking forward to learning as much as I can when I’m there. 

“We’ll also be spending some time at schools and orphanages.” 

Abbey said she had always had a passion for social justice and helping the less fortunate. 

“It’s definitely something I want to pursue as a career,” she said. 

“I’m really passionate about helping others. 

“I think being a youth ambassador will really give me more skills in the area. It’s a really big opportunity.”

As part of her ambassador work, she will host a “walk for hope” at St Francis that is a fund-raiser for Hope: Global. 

Abbey was also looking forward to meeting new people through the initiative. 

“As much as we will be helping people, I know their impact on my life will be just as big if not bigger,” she said.