Save the Children development worker and mother of three Debbie Petlueng doesn’t think twice before travelling to the world’s greatest hot spots to help families in need. For her, these trips are far more energising than any holiday on the beach.

Having just returned home to Wellington after three weeks in Pakistan, Nepal and India, Debbie’s motivation at work and at home is sky-high thanks to the inspiring example of women in central Asia who are overcoming the odds to improve their lives and the lives of their children.

“I’m continually inspired by the incredible power of women once they realise they have the ability to do something for themselves," says Debbie, Save the Children New Zealand’s Overseas Programme Manager.

In Pakistan, for example, Debbie met a group of rural mothers who had set up non-formal schools for their daughters, as the government does not provide schools for girls in the remote Shiekhupura district.

The mothers received teacher training from Save the Children and a local organisation Khoj, and now hold daily classes for their children in open courtyards.

“Remarkably, these mothers never went to school," says Debbie. “They learned to read and write through adult literacy classes run by Khoj and are now sharing their knowledge with their children.

“Over 340 children in 10 villages are now receiving an education - 60% of them girls. The high attendance of girls is largely due to a group of literate women who visit families and convince them to send their children, including girls, to school."

In the far Western region of Nepal, Debbie travelled to a remote rural district where HIV/AIDS is having a devastating impact on communities. Growing numbers of women are being widowed and infected with HIV/AIDS, facing a daily struggle to survive. There are no health clinics or medicines available.

“With the support of Save the Children, women volunteers work together to provide some financial but mainly emotional support for widows and families whose lives have been affected by HIV/AIDS.

“One woman told me that the support she’d received had been like medicine. She’d be a lot sicker without it."

It’s stories like these that motivate Debbie to stay in a stressful job that takes her away from her children for long periods.

“It’s worth juggling commitments and being busy when I see the difference a little bit of funding and a lot of people power can make. At low cost, and by working at community level, huge changes in practices, awareness and attitudes can be made. There’s no other job I’d rather be doing."

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For more information contact Save the Children on 04 385 6847.