Winning a trip of a lifetime!
 International Volunteer Trip participants strike a pose in Ecuador On October 19, 2007, Free The Children announced its first ever trip contest at National Me to We Day, in front of more than 7,000 students at Toronto’s Ricoh Coliseum. To qualify for the contest, students were challenged to change the world through Adopt a Village!
When the Ecuador trip contest opened in February, hundreds of youth sent us inspiring stories about projects they had been working on during their Year of We. The Free The Children team was deeply touched by the applications we received. From learning about students who were volunteering in homeless shelters, to schools adopting entire villages in Kenya, to individuals mentoring their younger peers after school, this contest was a reminder of how the big and small actions young people take on a daily basis are truly changing the world.
Now, get ready to meet the winners!
Niloofar Entezari, Toronto, ON
At 17, Niloofar exemplifies the meaning of Me to We. While in Grade 11, she played a crucial role in her school’s Brick by Brick campaign, helping raise more than $11,000 to build a school in Sierra Leone. As vice president of her student council, she is helping to raise an additional $3,000 to further her school’s commitment to their development project. Not only is Niloofar passionate about Free The Children, she also helped members of her own school community by creating a group to support those suffering from eating disorders. A truly remarkable young person, Niloofar has shown that one person can make a difference.
Zachery Holder, Verona, WI
Nineteen-year-old Zachery Holder recognizes the potential that each person has to change the world and is a shining example of how each of us can “be the change.” With extensive community volunteer experience, Zachary has participated in many fundraisers and charitable campaigns, from charity art projects, to food drives, Special Olympics fundraisers, mentorship programs, holiday toy drives and a positive-messaging video campaign to encourage youth to say “no” to drugs and alcohol. After hearing a speech from the Take Action! Speaking Tour, Zachary fostered his passion for international issues and got involved by participating in Free The Children’s Vow of Silence campaign.
 Horse back riding in the foothills of Ecuador, just another one of the amazing new experiences on an international volunteer trip
After becoming involved with Free The Children programming at the age of 12, Gabriella Silano has been a champion ever since. She has participated in a diverse range of Free The Children programs, including Adopt a Village fundraising campaigns and leadership training through Leaders Today. Under her amazing leadership, the Free The Children club has become the largest club at her school and her school has almost adopted an entire village! Her desire to travel and volunteer internationally was ignited last year during a trip to Arizona-Mexico with Free The Children and Leaders Today, and she is excited to further her passion in Ecuador. Gaby has dedicated herself to making positive change overseas and is demonstrating that young people really are changing the world every day.
Stay tuned to hear more from these amazing youth as they document their life-changing journey overseas this summer.
You can visit Ecuador too by signing up for a trip!
Free The Children is the largest network of children helping children through education in the world, with more than one million youth involved in our innovative education and development programs in 45 countries. Founded by international child rights activist Craig Kielburger, Free The Children has an established track-record of success, with three nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize and partnerships with the United Nations and Oprah’s Angel Network. |
