“We inspire the change, we live the change, we are the change.”- Craig and Marc Kielburger
Free the Children’s 6th annual We Day event came to Toronto, one of its eight Canadian stops, on Friday, September 28 to inspire 20,000 students to bring change locally and globally.
The event, hosted by musician and former MuchMusic VJ Jesse Giddings, boasted performers including Nelly Furtado and her special guest K’naan, Hedley, and Jennifer Hudson. Words of motivation were offered by the likes of Spencer West, Justin Trudeau and the Free the Children co-founders themselves, Craig and Marc Kielburger. Each performer and speaker brought their own inspirational story, all with a common message: change is needed and WE ARE THE CHANGE!
Jesse Giddings on stage at We Day.
Jesse Giddings told the crowd about his own volunteer trip to Kenya and encouraged audience members to take their own trip. He saw the hardships the kids faced everyday and told his own story of carrying two heavy water jugs to the water source and back, remarking how unbelievably difficult the daily challenge was and is for many.
“Activism is what I do to stay alive,” said Martin Sheen. He emphasized that social activism can be done at any age.
Jake Zeldin, who was born with a stutter, came alive as Lil JaXe on stage, singing his song “Kid With a Dream.” He told his inspirational story of how he is able to overcome his speech impairment when he raps and how this has given him the confidence to rap in front of his idols, including Drake!
Jake Zeldin on stage at We Day.
Spencer West, who had his legs removed at the young age of five, recently made one of his dreams come true. He climbed to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in support of his “Redefine Possible” campaign and raised $500,000 for Free the Children’s clean water projects.
“There were so many times in my life when I could have given up,” he said, “but I didn’t.”
The Kielburgers closed off the day by reminding everyone of their potential, saying, “We can change the world. You have the tools to make change. We Day is all of you. Believe in yourself. Believe in your causes. Be the change. We are We Day.”
Craig and Marc Kielburger on stage at We Day. Photo Credit: Michael Rajzman via Free the Children
A ticket to We Day wasn’t given to just anyone – it was earned. School groups had to set a goal to make a change and then report back to Free the Children on their progress. In the past school year alone, students have achieved amazing results, including raising $3.5 million for international causes, $2.5 million for local organizations, and logging 1.7 million volunteer hours. The event serves as a “congratulations,” but also a “keep going”, because We Day is every day.
In fact, Telus is encouraging youth to “tell us” their story by submitting a video describing their action plan for positive change on www.telusforweday.com for a chance at $20,000 to put the idea into action.
Jennifer Hudson on stage at We Day.
Other ideas to support Free the Children include:
- “We Scare Hunger” – This Halloween, trick-or-treat for something new: non-perishable food items. Join thousands of other ghouls, goblins, princesses and kings to collect canned goods at school, work and in the community. Then, drop them off at a local food bank. Learn more at: www.freethechildren.com/wescarehunger.
- “We Are Love” – For Valentine’s Day 2013, purchase “Love is…” buttons and Valentine’s Day cards for your friends and family. All proceeds support the Adopt a Village campaign. You can purchase these items at: www.freethechildren.com/wearelove.
- “We Are Silent” – What better way to celebrate Free the Children’s birthday on April 19 than to remain silent for those without a voice? Formerly the “Vow of Silence”, “We Are Silent” encourages people of all ages to spend a day (24 hours) in silent solidarity with those whose voices are silenced by not having their rights upheld. However, this year, we are told to speak using social media to let people know what we’re doing and why we’re doing it. More information and pledge sheets can be downloaded from www.freethechildren.com/wearesilent.
For more information on We Day, check out http://www.weday.com/.
You can also catch highlights from the event on MuchMusic on Sunday, November 11 at 7 p.m. EST and on CTV on Saturday, November 24 at 7 p.m. EST.