As Vervegirl’s official reporter at the second annual National Me to We Day, I got the chance to meet some of the major players behind the Me to We cause.
Of all your experiences, what has been the most memorable thing you have witnessed?
The most memorable thing I have ever seen was during my first trip to India. There was this young girl who was eight-years-old, who worked for a recycling factory, and her job was taking apart used syringes and needles for the plastic. She wasn’t wearing shoes, or gloves no protection.
I especially remember this, because I wanted to do something to help but I had no idea what I could do at that point. I took her photo and I promised her that I would share her story. I went back home and we started building Free the Children, raising money.
Later I came back [to India] and I showed her photo to some street kids who tried to find her, but they couldn’t. We ended up building a medical clinic in her honour in that same village so the next eight-year-old would have better protection and someone to help take care of them.
Considering that you are a role model for so many young people, who is your role model?
I have had a lot of them, but especially the kids that we work with. There is an amazing courage and an amazing hope that exists in a lot of the communities where we work.
I remember when we were walking down the street in one of the villages and there was this one girl who held out her hand and touched her lips, as a symbol that she was looking for food. One of the volunteers from Canada reached into his bag and pulled out an orange and he handed it to her. She started sharing it in equal pieces with all the other kids. I think we have a lot to learn from the kids that we work with.
What are the upcoming plans for Free the Children?
This year we want to double our goal from last year. We will be helping to mentor young people who want to start Free The Children groups, and we will be hosting volunteer trips. Hopefully a lot of these youth will be packing up their backpack to go and volunteer overseas.
What message do you have to encourage the youth of today to become more involved?
I believe history presents opportunities. It was youth who marched with Gandhi, who protested at Tiananmen Square. Where is that movement for our generation?
I think that movement for our generation is to end the world’s poverty. I think this is the generation that will truly break down the barriers that divide us and will see a person not for the colour of their skin, or the country they come from, but for each person’s basic human rights.
Looking for more?
Me to We Interview with co-creator and host of 4REAL
Interview with former child-soldier
