Prelude to Earth Day

Tomorrow is Earth Day and many of the communities we live in will be undertaking initiatives to support eco-friendly decisions. For example, free transit all day.

I honestly won't be doing anything extraordinarily different from what I do every day to reduce my carbon footprint - but perhaps sharing my current habits will give others ideas to adopt themselves not only for Earth Day tomorrow, but for every day:

I already take the bus or bike, or sometimes run.
I unplug all electronics when they are not in use.
I have a clean air plant in my room.
I use cloth bags.
I recycle, recycle, recycle.
and so on...

One thing extra that I will do tomorrow will not be an act of eco-justice. I will have a moringa tree planted on my behalf by
Trees for the Future
TFT is an organization that helps communities worldwide restore rural areas. They deliver agroforestry training and offer a seed distribution program to help communities protect their environment and preserve their livelihood and culture.



On Earth Day, TFT will plant a tree for me (and you too!) by visiting LaCoupe's website.

D&P and Me

What brings me to Development and Peace?

Development and Peace funds Youth Solidarity Trips to countries in the Global South as a means for youth interested in social justice to create solidarity with others.

Solidarity is

a unity of purpose or togetherness

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solidarity)

This August, D&P is sending 10 Canadian youth (5 English, 5 Francophone) to the Philippines to learn about the conditions of poverty locals live with there, and what they are doing to bring themselves out of the injustices they face.
Youth Solidarity Trip Philippines 2010


As a member of this group, I will be a witness to these stories and bring them home to Canada to educate my fellow citizens on the realities of the Global South.

My commitment through this mission to act on Global Issues and communicate back to my own community in Canada is the

heart of a global mind.

Meet D&P

I realize that I have not formally introduced what Development and Peace is about and what we do, so I present to you...

Development and Peace
The Canadian Catholic Organization of Development and Peace is an international development organization that supports the initiatives of individuals living in the Global South.
Inspired by Gospel values, D&P realizes

"the preferential option for the poor

and engages in

education

advocacy

fundraising

to keep Canadians informed of North-South issues and connect Canadians to the Global South through supporting the work of its partners there.
About Development and Peace

As I grow and immerse myself in the initiatives of D&P, I will share more and more about what sets D&P apart from other NGOs.

My Weekend with Development and Peace

This past weekend I traveled to Sorrento, B.C. to observe the Development and Peace B.C. Regional Meeting. It was an opportunity for me to connect with the key players and supporters in B.C. and dig deeper into the heart of this organization.


I met members from all 6 of the Diocesan Council in B.C., as well as staff of D&P (both from the B.C. region and my home(!) region of Ontario, AND including two other youth. I listened in and took so many notes on ideas and opportunities I could see myself grasping as my personal work for the organization.
And so...

My own Strategic Plan for how I will educate, advocate, and fundraise for D&P is now beginning to form.

As well...

My own Voice is starting to ring through.

I responded to the invitation to contribute to conversations, as well as the challenge to bring my own thoughts to the table. The big one for me was contributing my own Flip! for the video that will be presented at an assembly for the organization in June - I knew this was something I had to do as a new youth for D&P, and that this form of expression is a behaviour that effective leaders exhibit.
Thus, I am learning and taking on new challenges for this organization and myself.

Clothesline

My fundraising efforts for Development and Peace have begun. The first goal is to reach at least $1200 to cover the costs of my Exposure Trip to the Philippines. The second plan is to not stop there. All funds raised above that mark will continue to go to Development and Peace's efforts for preferential options for the poor.

Fundraising Effort #1: The Clothesline Program of the Canadian Diabetes Association
Clothesline
A huge task but with a double outcome.
From this fundraising I will be giving individuals the opportunity to address two issues:
Issue 1
By donating their reusable clothing to the Clothesline Program they divert carbon waste that would have been created from clothing that would have been dumped in Canadian landfills.
Issue 2
In return for clothing, Clothesline donates $2 per 23lb(65L) bag of clothing to Development and Peace on my behalf. So individuals give more as they also ultimately support D&P's work to educate Canadians on social justice issues in the Global South.

So Thursday I put the wheels in motion, distributing 111 flyers to my community.


By the time I had even made it home for my distributing work-out I had also already received several responses from friends who will be donating their used clothing to me. It's a fantastic feeling when someone responds to a call that matters - an opportunity to learn while giving. Facebook messages and emails were my form of communication sent early that morning.
I have become their solution to disposing of their used clothing. A great alternative to a last resort that would have been a landfill.

And so begins the collection countdown. Can I do it? 600 bags to go.

DYEing for a Cause

Spent my Friday afternoon, relaxation time from exam studies, participating in a fundraiser whose proceeds would go to a local effort.

For $10.00, I tie dyed my very own, and very first, t-shirt. Something I've always wanted to do.
And finally, I got to do it, with an even greater outcome.
For $10.00, I also got to help the St. Vincent de Paul Social Concern Center (in Victoria) to continue its poverty relief efforts.

St. Vincent de Paul Victoria


A local act of kindness in collaboration with other like-minded university students.
Pretty sweet.

Chai Designs

Around this time last year I purchased two garments from a vendor in SUB on campus. I did not know that I was supporting a company devoted to ethical practices, and had actually purchased clothing made of sustainable fabrics.

It was nice to see them again this year. And again this year I supported this local business, especially now that I knew I was purchasing a responsibally made garment.

Looking for ethical considerations when I make product decisions is something, I realize, that I have fallen back on lately.
The ultimate goal is to cut back on consumerism to a level that supports only the necessities of life.




www.chaidesign.net

Save Haro Woods

I learn at least one new thing every day. I can't seem to leave one place without having discovered another effort to save us from ourselves.

Leaving my job interview today at the Queen Alexandria Children's Hospital along Arbutus Road I took note of the Save Haro Woods signs and made a point to look into it later.
These beautiful woods - take a look at the Pictures on the website:
www.saveharowoods.ca

- have been threatened to be disturbed by the installation of sewage treatment by the CRD
www.crd.bc.ca
They are one of the few remaining woods in Saanich, B.C., and my hope is that I will have the option to run its paths when I move to the Cadboro Bay area in May.

There have already been many signatures collected for a petition but no status on its effects.
They are calling for letters to the local newspaper and CRD to keep these woods alive.

"Get Out" Migration

On my bus ride home from downtown I passed by the Wildfire Bakery. The building has always stood out to me for its colourful painting on the front, and especially its mural on the side. I did not notice until today that this mural changes from time to time, and right now is part of one of the creative ways people on the island are using art to communicate that Salmon Are Sacred

www.salmonaresacred.org

The dying of fish due to corporate fish farming is nothing new to us, and the "Get Out" Migration is an island response to preserve our wild salmon.
This "migration" is meant to parallel the migration of fish, and like the migration of fish is meant to be MASSIVE.

The easiest step to take is signing the petition that is directly on their website. That's what I'll be doing after today's post has been posted.

If you're on the island, check out the migration's itinerary, and join in on whatever event is at your checkpoint. Start looking for the Salmon Are Sacred art around you, and put up your own, or if you are not of the creative nature, print off one post one of their downloadable posters.

This group has an important call and message that extends beyond the dying of salmon:

Don't be the tragedy!

Synopsis

Who Am I?

A Canadian student finishing up her undergraduate degree in Biology (Major) and Business (Minor)


Who Do I Want To Become?

A servant leader:

Servant-leaders achieve results for their organizations by giving priority attention to the needs of their colleagues and those they serve

( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Servant_leadership )


Why Am I Here?

This blog is my intention to write about something that can move others to think more deeply and take action on social change. It is my intention to write about something that has the potential to inspire others, and influence the lives of others.

It is first my commitment as a youth of Development and Peace to educate other Canadians about the organization and the conditions of the Global South.

As a whole, it will be an avenue others can go to to follow one story of an advocate in this global movement that we all have a responsibility to serve.

I hope that followers can learn and grow with me as I immerse myself in serving my local community and beyond, educating myself on our current global climate, and helping others to help themselves.

I am

ready to serve

And I hope that through supporting me and joining me in this effort, you will be too.