Amid the glow of flashbulbs and the electric energy of a stadium crowd, the Free the Children organization staged its annual We Day event in Toronto. The moment was more than a performance; it served as a platform for introducing education–driven campaigns designed to empower young people to act. Co founder Craig Kielburger stood beside Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to formally unveil the Year of Education, a fundraising push aimed at creating 200 new schools across overseas communities and reinforcing the nonprofit’s long standing commitment to education as a catalyst for social change.
Inside the packed arena, Free the Children and RBC renewed their We Create Change program. The campaign invites everyday donations, now with a practical system that channels coins into bricks for classrooms. Since the Canadian penny was retired, the initiative welcomed all coin denominations, guiding supporters to place their change in We Create Change branded schoolhouse coin boxes and to roll coins with the provided rollers before dropping them off at the nearest RBC branch. Each brick is worth twenty dollars, and a total of ten thousand dollars could fund a new school or a dedicated classroom so that young learners in underserved regions can access quality education. The message was clear: small contributions accumulate into lasting, tangible spaces for learning.
Beyond coins, supporters could participate through tangible gifts like the ABC Education Rafiki Friend Chain. Lovingly beaded by Maasai artisans in Kenya, the chain can be worn in several ways and directly funds one year of school supplies for a child. The chain became a symbol of reciprocal giving, linking personal style with a dedicated investment in a child’s education that families could easily support together.
Public figures joined the call. Singer Joe Jonas helped create an online platform inviting fans to back education through the Jonas Brothers Change for the Children Foundation, supporting Free the Children’s mission. The online page offered a straightforward path for donations and encouraged supporters to share in expanding educational opportunities for youth facing barriers around the world.
Joe’s trip to Kenya with Free the Children earlier that year provided a frontline view of how schooling can transform lives in the Maasai Mara. He spoke about the power of education to reshape not only a child’s future but also the wellbeing of their family and community. Yet he acknowledged the persistent gaps that still separate millions of children from learning, urging continued action and sustained support.
Joe was not alone in this effort. A growing group of celebrities has joined the Celebrity School Challenge, raising funds through online campaigns and in person events. Cast members from DEGRASSI and Nina Dobrev, who co hosted last year’s We Day Toronto, have joined fans in supporting the Year of Education. Their involvement underscored how a broad, diverse community can rally to expand access to schooling for children in need.
During press interactions at We Day Toronto, Kielburger reiterated the central belief that education drives empowerment. He explained that giving young people the opportunity to learn equips them to raise their voices for themselves and their communities. The organization’s philosophy centers on arming youth with knowledge and opportunity, translating into active citizenship and leadership long after the event ends.
President Sirleaf also voiced her enthusiasm about engaging with students and supporters. She noted that the energy and optimism of the young people she meets at events like this add motivation to her work back home and reinforce the idea that education creates possibilities beyond borders. Her presence at We Day underscored a shared commitment among global leaders to lift every child into a classroom and open doors to a brighter future.
For those wishing to learn more and contribute, the Year of Education remains a central path to supporting education worldwide. The campaign fuses celebrity advocacy with practical fundraising mechanisms and invites communities in Canada and the United States to participate. By supporting these efforts, fans can help expand schooling opportunities, supply essential materials, and fund new classrooms that empower students to dream bigger and achieve more than ever before. [Source: Free the Children]