Vow of silence voices awareness

Times Contributor

 

Students at Strathmore High School became silent, so others do not have to. In a deliberate attempt to raise awareness in the many issues that youth endure around the world, 25 SHS students took the Vow of Silence, beginning Nov. 30 at 8 a.m. for 24 hours. 

The Vow of Silence is an annual Free the Children fundraiser and is an awareness-raising campaign, with over 100 000 participants originating from 57 countries around the globe. Patrons can individually promote a cause which one is most passionate about, but all branches of awareness lead to same foundation, basic human rights.  

“Every student created a t-shirt with the words ‘I am Silent’ on the front, and the reason for their silence on the back.  Some chose child poverty, while others focused on health and education,” said Christine Magill, SHS teacher and organizer of the MetoWe club. 

Magill first heard about the Vow of Silence when she went to a conference in Edmonton where keynote speaker Craig Keilburger introduced the fundraiser. Magill passed the idea onto the MetoWe club who were very excited about participating. 

The student body was very supportive, according to Magill, with the grand total of funds raised being $1,260.

“We had an assembly the same day as the Vow, so it was an opportunity to explain what was happening and how much money we had raised.  Many of the students that participated were sponsored by their friends,” said Magill.

In the near future, the MetoWe club will be selling Rafiki friendship necklaces to help aid drought relief in East Africa. The sale of each handcrafted necklace from Kenya can provide a child with enough food to eat for a month. Students also helped Alyssa Lavallee donate backpacks to the Streetlight program in Calgary.  As well on Feb. 8, 2012, the MetoWe will be helping with a benefit concert at SHS, organized by member Brooklyn Davidson. 

As for what to expect next year from the MetoWe club, it will all depend on what the students are interested in doing. 

“MetoWe is a student-driven club, so we try to focus on issues that are important to the students involved,” said Magill.