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

The Most Awesome Time Ever!

          I went to "Me to We"once and it was fantasticly awesome! At first, it was an hour long ride on a bus that was not really enjoyable. But it was so worth it. We walk into the stadium in the ACC(Air Canada Center), it just opens up in front of you. Purple lights flashing everywhere and the loud buzz of people chatting was making me shiver with excitement. The only part that made me nervous was the stairs. It was so steep and we were so high that I needed to clutch the railing for support when I looked behind me. The people from up there were so tiny, the size of ants. Then, the big TV in the middle(it had 4 sides to everyone could see) was counting down... and so were we. 5,4,3,2,1.0! Everyone was cheering and having a great time. Hedley (a band) played first and we were cheering like no tomorrow. The next thing that caught me eye was when Canine came onstage and started singing "Waving Flag". Everybody was singing along and laughing their heads off. The words that people were saying spoke to me. Craig(the person who started Me to We) had me mezmoreized on what have to do everyday when they are in child labour. Tieing tiny nots to weave carpets and us a tool that kind of helped was what some of those kids did. But the best part I think is when the lights dimmed and everyone took pictures with their cameras at the same time so the whole room lighted up like a christmas tree. It was spectacular. I learned that anyone could help by themselves and as a group. You can make a difference. We can make a difference. I will try to make a difference and I hope you will ,too.

                       By,

                          Jade T

WE DAY

The Me to We Story

           

On September 30, 2010 the grade 7 students and two grade 7 teachers went on an excursion to the Air Canada Center for a ‘Me to We concert.  ‘Me to We’ is a program that informs and encourages the youth to raise awareness about world issues both environmental and economical.  We arrived at the ACC and I was amazed by how many leaders of our generation were there.  The stadium was humungous!  There were 20,000 people hustling and bustling to get into their seats and when the stadium was filled, the presentation began.  

          The most memorable part for me was when the host asked everyone to take out their camera and take a photo on his count of three.  The lights were dimmed, 1-2-3 and the stadium lit up like a giant Christmas tree with the flashes of thousands of cameras.  What an unforgettable moment.  The host then introduced the band ‘Down with Webster’!!  Their first song was ‘Your Man’ followed by ‘Woah is Me’.  Their performance was awesome.  They sang so great everyone was dancing in the stands and doing ‘the wave’.  I was very impressed with everyone’s enthusiasm.

          Next the host introduced the founders of ‘Me to We’ Craig and Mark Kielburger.  They explained their missions overseas and all the positive things they have been doing across the world.  Very inspirational! There were other speakers that also were very informative, they are holding a ‘Halloween can drive’ to donate canned foods and are hoping to exceed last years donations of over 250,000 pounds.  This day was ended with an unbelievable performance by K’naan, he sang ‘Take a Minute’ and ‘Waving Flay.’ Everyone was bursting with generosity which made this meeting very outstanding and motivating us all to be a generation of change makers.

Christina Z