Meet our new Junior Ambassador

Isabelle Evans, 10, from Te Rapa Primary School in Hamilton, has been named this year’s Fred Hollows Humanity Award’s Junior Ambassador for going above and beyond to be a responsible, kind and helpful student and role model. 

Mike McCurry, Te Rapa Primary School Teacher, nominated Isabelle for the award, describing her natural tendency to help others, embrace responsibility and support community projects. 

Now in their sixth year, the awards are inspired by legendary New Zealander and founder of The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ, the late Professor Fred Hollows. The Awards were created to recognise Year 5 or 6 students who strive to make the world around them better, and embody the values of compassion, integrity, and kindness. 

“Isabelle shows leadership qualities regularly and consistently. She is always looking for opportunities to help, be it friends, other classmates or an adult,” Mr McCurry said in his nomination. 

This was demonstrated through Isabelle’s involvement as a class leader, peer mediator, librarian, road patrol warden and as a stand-in for the Year 8 student council. 

Isabelle was presented the award at a special school assembly attended by representatives from The Foundation and supporting partners Specsavers and Corporate Traveller. 

The surprise presentation, captured by Kea Kids News, left Isabelle shocked but pleasantly surprised. “I didn’t feel like myself. I was like ‘oh my gosh, this is actually happening’. I had no idea. I didn’t see it coming but I am very pleased with myself,” she said.

Katie Hart, The Foundation’s Philanthropy & Communications Director, read out Isabelle’s accolades to an audience of her teachers and peers, as well as her parents, sister and grandparents. Isabelle was described as polite, well-mannered, patient, forgiving, tolerant, welcoming, kind, and an excellent role model. Her nomination said that she listens to others, shows kindness and compassion consistently, and is measured and thoughtful. 

“Every interaction, occasion and situation Isabelle displays kindness and integrity. She is the first to come to mind when I think of those values. She displays compassion in the way she speaks about conflict and issues that arise, she’s never quick to judge or target. She is welcoming and non-judgemental,” the nomination read. 

Isabelle also has an eye for supporting community projects, having been involved in planting daffodils for the Hamilton Memorial Gardens, with the Cancer Society, and has donated to charities like the Salvation Army, SPCA and the Waikato Shoebox Christmas. 

Proud parents Sarah and Simon Evans said Isabelle has always been very thoughtful of other people and animals. “From a very young age, she has always thought of others before herself,” Sarah Evans said. 

When asked what she enjoys about being a leader and role model in her school, Isabelle said she loves helping people. “I love feeling like I have got responsibility, and I think that lots of people know they can rely on me,” she said.

Isabelle was presented with a certificate and goodie bag. Thanks to charity partner Specsavers, Isabelle also received $5,000 to donate to a Fred Hollows Foundation NZ Pacific Programme of her choice. She can choose from things like, buying medical equipment, paying for a graduation ceremony for eye doctors and nurses, or providing glasses to people in Fiji. 

She was also gifted $500, thanks to Corporate Traveller, to implement an initiative at her school that seeks to make the world better for her fellow students or community. 

Nine other young Kiwis from across the country were also selected as Fred Hollows Humanity Awards finalists and received certificates and goodie bags. 

Chief Executive Officer of The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ, Dr Audrey Aumua, says Fred would have been very proud of the younger generation and what they are achieving.

“It was encouraging to read about all the young, up-and-coming humanitarians across Aotearoa who are showing compassion and kindness through their care and support for their classmates and younger peers, exhibiting integrity through various leadership roles within their schools and communities and are genuinely motivated to make a positive difference in the world,” she said. 

“They are encapsulating the qualities of Fred Hollows, and it is wonderful to recognise and encourage that,” says Dr Aumua.