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SFU guardian angel wins Shrum gold
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June 3, 2002
Helen Augustin, who lives in Kitislano, is a guardian angel to many impoverished children in Bahia, Brazil. The Simon Fraser University graduand helps find Canadian foster parents for them through Street Angels, an international aid program. Foster parents contribute $35 a month so that Street Angels’ children can escape child labour and finish elementary school.
Augustin’s tireless dedication to this program, while earning high marks at SFU, has earned her this year’s prestigious Shrum gold medal. The award, along with $500, is given to a student in any faculty who achieves academic excellence while demonstrating unselfish devotion to others. Graduating with a joint major in communication and Latin American Studies, Augustin’s grade point average (GPA) this semester was a perfect 4.33. Her cumulative GPA is 3.71.
Several events came together to steer Augustin towards voluntary international aid work. Born into an immigrant family in Prince George, Augustin spoke primarily Slovenian before starting elementary school. "I was laughed at by other kids and felt isolated as a child because my English was limited," remembers Augustin. "I think I’ve always been sensitive to marginalized groups because of that experience."
A love of languages, and trips to Cuba and Mexico sparked Augustin’s interest in community-based development in Latin America. While working at Cominco Ltd., Augustin bought a plaster angel from a colleague. Handpainted by young mothers and former street children in Street Angels, the ornaments inspired her to make a difference. Augustin has spent $3500 of her own money to travel to Brazil and work with the project’s children; she also fosters one child.
"I was lucky to be born in a country where basic education, clean water and health care are taken for granted," says the graduate of Kelowna Secondary School. "I feel a responsibility to in someway help people who, in many parts of the world, live without these things."
—30—
(digital photo available)
CONTACT
Helen Augustin, hma@sfu.ca
Carol Thorbes, Media & PR, 604.291.3035
Augustin’s tireless dedication to this program, while earning high marks at SFU, has earned her this year’s prestigious Shrum gold medal. The award, along with $500, is given to a student in any faculty who achieves academic excellence while demonstrating unselfish devotion to others. Graduating with a joint major in communication and Latin American Studies, Augustin’s grade point average (GPA) this semester was a perfect 4.33. Her cumulative GPA is 3.71.
Several events came together to steer Augustin towards voluntary international aid work. Born into an immigrant family in Prince George, Augustin spoke primarily Slovenian before starting elementary school. "I was laughed at by other kids and felt isolated as a child because my English was limited," remembers Augustin. "I think I’ve always been sensitive to marginalized groups because of that experience."
A love of languages, and trips to Cuba and Mexico sparked Augustin’s interest in community-based development in Latin America. While working at Cominco Ltd., Augustin bought a plaster angel from a colleague. Handpainted by young mothers and former street children in Street Angels, the ornaments inspired her to make a difference. Augustin has spent $3500 of her own money to travel to Brazil and work with the project’s children; she also fosters one child.
"I was lucky to be born in a country where basic education, clean water and health care are taken for granted," says the graduate of Kelowna Secondary School. "I feel a responsibility to in someway help people who, in many parts of the world, live without these things."
—30—
(digital photo available)
CONTACT
Helen Augustin, hma@sfu.ca
Carol Thorbes, Media & PR, 604.291.3035