An explosion of inspiration and hope swelled in the Science and Technology Building theater at Penn Valley on Tuesday, November 7, during a presentation by Free the Children, an international organization of children helping children through education.

Leadership Coordinators Erin Blanding and Gary Norman facilitated the event with a slide show of their travels and projects, as well as music and motivational speaking.

The pair said they had come to PVCC to raise awareness about some of the issues plaguing the world today, and to show students here that one person can make a difference, using skills and strengths to impact the world in a positive way.

"'Me To We' has become our motto, and a way of life," Blanding stated. She said the idea is to try to put the good of humanity as a whole above one's own self-interests.

Attendees and Leaders

It all began with the courage of twelve-year-old Craig Kielburger, who decided to take the initiative to promote awareness of child labor. He began by sharing a newspaper article with his seventh-grade class.

This seemingly minuscule endeavor convinced eleven of his classmates to volunteer to join him. In ten years, the crusade grew to an organization to which over one million youths have contributed their skills, in over forty-five countries.

Free the Children has been nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize, and works very closely with the United Nations and Oprah’s Angel Network. Their efforts involve building schools in areas of need, such as Kenya, Sierra Leone, China, and Sri Lanka.

Because children in many of these areas must work to support their families, going to school could jeopardize their livelihoods. However, Free the Children thought of a solution to that dilemma, as well. They help families establish alternative incomes by providing, for example, a milking animal or pig. The family can sell milk and cheese, or beef or pork, while the kids get a basic education.

Norman and Blanding

This not only produces future earnings for the individual and family, but also boosts local economies by pumping resources and revenue into the country.

In addition, there are projects to help provide healthcare and clean water. Disease and infection run rampant in many locales, because drinking water is taken from sources that animals also use for bathing and drinking.

Free the Children has even established a socially-conscious clothing line, which does not sell products manufactured by child laborers.

"Adopt a Village" and "Brick by Brick" are two campaigns the organization is encouraging young people to join. "Take Action," a conference in Toronto, offers training in many areas of leadership and social action.

Another big part of the organization is the opportunity to volunteer overseas on an international leadership trip.

Volunteering is a way to begin making a change – one person at a time.

Copyright 2006 Metropolitan Community College