Me to We Excursion

                                   

On October 27, 2010 a few grade seven students and teachers went to an astonishing workshop.  We arrived at the high school and were anticipating the special speakers that were going to attend the "Me to We" workshop.  We walked into the large gym and Mark Keiburger was speaking.  Mark Kielburger has a brother Craig Kielburger, and together they started an amazing organization "Free the Children."

Krieg Keilburger was a 12 year old ordinary boy that read the newspaper one morning.  The headline was about a boy in India that was murdered because he refused and stood up for child labour.  This young Indian boy worked in a small carpet factory; he wanted the opportunity and right to go to school to get an education.  Many children in many countries work in factories that put their lives in danger everyday.  The boy one day decided to rebel his work, he started to convince people to have a voice and refuse to be put to child labour.  This boy's topic began to receive too much attention and started to get others thinking about how child labour should be condemned.  One of the Indian masters or bosses was informed about this boy convincing others that child labour was wrong.  Somebody was sent to kill this boy.  We are so fortunate to have an education doesn't matter what race, age or culture.  Craig Kielburger was touched by this newspaper headline and took initiative.  He went to school that day and told this truly devastating story to his classmates.  He then asked who wanted to free the children and many hands shot up.  Today he is known for his amazing organization "Free the Children."

Free the Children" is an astounding organization that supports those who don't have a voice, and those who can't speak out in fear of being murdered and threatened.  November 19 is the day when all over the world, people will take the vow of silence.  We take the vow of silence and don't speak for 24 hours to support those who can't speak out.  In some countries villagers and kids don't have clean water, proper medicine, education and can't break the cycle of poverty.  Kids don't usually live to the age of five, so when a child survives until the age of five it is an accomplishment.  We can free the children, we can support and come together to benefit  all.

One time the Kielburgers were building a school in Equador.  They had to leave soon for their flight but it was dark and the roof wasn't put up yet.  They were puzzled so they went to the wisest person in the village.  She was a four foot tall 108 year old woman.  They explained their problem and then the woman went out into the village and told all the villagers they were having a "minga" tomorrow.  At 4:00 the next morning all the villagers came to the uncompleted school and put the roof up together.  The Kielburgers were stunned how everyone came together and finished the roof in such a co operative way.  They came together in a "minga."  A minga is the coming together of people for the benefit of all.  I had a blast and listened to some of the most amazing speakers!  Let's come together in a minga and be the remarkable change-makers of the world!

Christina Z