Third World Awareness started in 1989 when a Toronto Catholic School drama teacher named John Callaghan 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 Callaghan 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 – 71 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 $100 000 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.