Kidston Soars!
Emily talks about the incredible power of youth
Last month, I headed up to Vernon British Columbia—a short 37-minute plane ride north of Vancouver—to visit a stupendous school: Kidston Elementary.
I visited and spoke to each of the Grade 6 and 7 classes, sharing stories and conveying the message of taking action. It seemed to have sunk in because the students have already created and registered a Youth in Action group and taken on the Adopt a Village: Alternative Income campaign.
Way to go, Kidston!
The warmest of smiles,
Emily
emily@freethechildren.com
Regional Updates
British Columbia
Shhhh…
As I type, young people from all over British Columbia are taking a vow of silence to stand up for the rights of children around the world who do not have a voice. By silencing themselves, they are symbolically bringing children’s rights issues into their local communities and shining light on the importance of taking action.
Hilary and I have been visiting with outstanding groups of youth across the province who have joined our first annual Vow of Silence campaign. I hope that everyone who participated in the campaign learned the importance of standing up for a cause, as well as one of the many simple lessons in life: you don’t have to be loud to be heard. In fact, if you’re truly dedicated, you may not have to make a single sound.
Hope and well wishes,
Emily and Hilary
emily@freethechildren.com
hilary@freethechildren.com
Atlantic Canada
New Brunswick students demonstrate the power of silence.
March 1st marked a significant day in the lives of many young people around the East Coast as they took a vow of silence for the day. One amazing girl I met in a New Brunswick Grade 6 class, Johanna, asked me an important question before taking part in the Vow of Silence campaign. She said, “If I take the vow, can I still read?” She wanted to make sure she could still keep reading books, as she didn’t want to stop learning. Her question reminded me of the importance of teaching ourselves, challenging our minds, and questioning what we know.
Thanks for continuing to challenge yourselves and others, and let me know if I can help in this journey. You are all an inspiration!
~Erin
erinblanding@freethechildren.com
Québec
Four brave teachers at College Charlemagne shaved their heads for donations, helping to raise $2,100!
Hello world-changers!
At the beginning of March, I had the awesome privilege of speaking to two groups of students at a French high school in Montréal, College Charlemagne. I helped them kick-off a week-long fundraiser for Free The Children. The week itself included many individual fundraisers, such as the sale of hand-made bracelets and pins created by another Montreal high school, Royal West Academy. The highlight of the week was when teachers shaved their heads for donations! All money raised will be put towards the Adopt a Village: Alternative Income campaign in Sierra Leone.
Never forget that the power of change is in your hands.
~Jaclyn
jaclyn@freethechildren.com
