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Helping to make the world
Justice Club, run by Natalie Kouao. “For the kids, it’s not about the money we raised,” said Kouao. “The kids are so enthusiastic. Working with them is great.” The club was also involved in a Day of Silence. “We took pledge to not speak for one day, to represent those who do not have a voice,” Hilliare explained. “It was really hard for me. I’m such a chatter box!” The event raised approximately $600. “It was difficult to teach without talking. I had all my classes take the challenge as well. They all had to do it. I had to be well prepared before hand with papers and presentations, but the students were completely connected to it. The aware- ness factor was amazing.” Hillaire said there are approximately 15 students in the club with new mem- bers joining throughout the year. “They all give so much,” beamed Hillaire. “Eve- ryone builds on each other’s ideas and gets really involved.” Several more events are being planned such as a bake sale for the UN Human Rights Week. “We will sell bake sale items to raise awareness and contribute funds to Amnesty International,” said Hillaire. “And we ask students and staff to sign the online petition for Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women.” With new events happening all the time, the club is usually busy making new plans for making a difference in the world. The club meets every Wednesday at lunch hour and invites students to join in and the com- munity to donate to worthy causes. More information is available by calling VCI at 613-678-2023.
DIANE HUNTER DIANE.HUNTER@EAP.ON.CA
VANKLEEK HILL | The Swahili word for friend is Rafiki. The Interact Club at Vankleek Hill Collegial Institute (VCI) has been selling Rafiki bracelets as part of their mandate to make the world a better place and in support of Free the Children. The bracelets represent the five pillars of life: finance, clean water, medicine, healthy food and education, with a different pillar for each bracelet. «It is really amazing that what we are doing is making a difference,” said grade 12 student, Jeremy Lefebvre. “The bracelets are made by Masai women in Kenya. You can track the impact you have with a code that comes with the bracelet.” Sponsored by the local Rotary, the club is involved in several fundraising initiatives. “The Interact Club is like a Rotary Club for high school,” said Ilze Hillaire, head facilita- tor of the Interact Club and teacher at VCI. “The students all give so much. It is so great to work with such an enthusiastic group of students.” “We must have three different fundrai- sers. One for local, one national and one global,” explained Hillaire. “The local one is for our food banks. The national was the CNIB, Dining in the Dark dinner we just had, and the global is with Free the Children.” Making a difference “These students are the leaders of our future,” said Hillaire. «We want them to run the club. We are just facilitators.” The Inte- ract Club recently joined with the Social
Photo Diane Hunter
Students fromthe Interact club atVankleekHill Collegial Institute sell Rafiki bracelets in support of Free the Children. Shown here are grade 12 students Jeremy Lefebvre, Amelia Menard and Holly Anderson. Heart and Stroke Foundation seeking volunteers. The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Akwesasne, Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry and Prescott-Russell is looking for volunteers to canvass next February. Anyone interested can contact Ashley at 613-938-8933.
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