Schools in the Bluewater public school board are getting behind the Free the Children organization in a big way.
41 schools in the board are participating in activities to support the organization’s “Me to We” approach to international development work.
Students from Hillcrest Central School in Teeswater were among those to recently attend Free the Children’s “WE Day” event in Toronto that packed the Air Canada Centre on October 5th.
Speakers included Free the Children co-founders Craig and Marc Kielburger, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Mike “Pinball” Clemons.
Hillcrest Principal Sarah Slater says their involvement started last year when they started fundraising to help build a well in India.
Various fundraiser’s included popcorn sales, a “walk for water”, and a fair trade goods fair.
Student Erica Nicoll says at this year’s WE Day, they learned how to make changes in the world, what issues are affecting the world, and how people have helped in the past.
Chesley District Secondary School student Chanelle Beresford says the school has started its own Free the Children group to raise awareness.
She says they also have a “Cougar Care Campaign” to raise money to help build a school in a developing country.