We Day Empowers And Inspires Our Youth To “Be The Change”
I’m going to do my best to accurately recap the events that were National We Day in Ottawa. Considering the magnitude of the event and effect it had on every single person there, I hope I can do it justice. We Day, for those of you who are not familiar, is an event from Free The Children founders Marc and Craig Kielburger, that inspires our youth to be the leaders in creating local and global change.
I spent the day, along with 5000 young adults who all EARNED their tickets to the event with community service, listening to incredible speakers like Martin Sheen, Spencer West & Rob Stewart, as they told their inspirational stories and encouraged the children to get out there and make a difference in the world, one small act at a time.
There were so many highlights from this event that it is impossible to list them all, so I’ll give you a few of my favourites. For me, it started in the backstage media room, where two very young activists anxiously awaited Free the Children founder, Craig Kielburger’s arrival, so that they could ask their questions and press him for knowledge about how they could make a difference. I hadn’t been there 5 minutes and I was already beaming with inspiration at how devoted they were to changing the world.
Next up was Ottawa native and double lung transplant survivor, Helene Campbell, who strode across the stage and spoke as if she had been doing it her whole life. If ever there was someone to channel when you feel like giving up, she absolutely fits the bill. My favourite part is when she challenged the now famous, YOLO slang, by offering up a much more suitable and inspiring term in Carpe Diem. It wasn’t the first time I teared up at the event and it wouldn’t be the last.
My most vulnerable moment came when young Molly Burke took to the stage. I thought I had done my homework on the speakers but somehow I had missed Molly’s bio and videos. Even typing this, I am welling up at how powerful her story of blindness and bullying was. Of everything I saw at We Day, Molly’s story affected me the most. Please take a second to watch a clip of her incredible story and share it with the children in your life.
While We Day is an event that was developed to inspire our youth to take action in creating change for our world, I can tell you first hand that the children are not the only ones affected. I spent a good portion of my day dancing, and wiping away emotional tears from not only the stories of the speakers, but also from watching how inspired all of the children in that building were. It wasn’t just those kids who experienced a change today, I felt it too. I am absolutely confident that my children are going to be raised as better human beings because I attended this event, and I will be forever grateful for that.
I’ll leave you with one of my favourite messages of the day, from Marc & Craig Kielburger. It’s not enough to wait for the change or follow the change, you have to go out there and Be The Change! That’s a message I will be passing on to my little ones as they grow into young adults themselves. The event was amazing, I met some really awesome people and leave you with a small sampling of the pictures I was able to snag. I highly recommend attending a We Day if your child ever gets the opportunity and please read up on all the inspiring things that Free The Children are doing to help out both locally and globally.
Photo Bombing Martin Sheen!
Hanging with Spencer West
Blogger, Shannon’s View From Here’s daughter
Blogger, Macaroni Kid Ottawa’s son
Wow! I hope one day to be able to attend a We Day event!!! I have shivers just reading about it!
Sounds like a great day – I would have loved to attend but wasn’t able to arrange it this year – maybe next time.
Great recap, Chris. I wasn’t able to stay very long, but it certainly had a big impact on me too. I was wowed most by Spencer West, probably because my mom did not have the use of her legs either. She used a wheelchair. He’s a world changer and torch bearer in my eyes.
(Nice to wave at you… : D )
Hey! There is my kid!! Proud momma here. 😀 Gabby left for school this AM ready to have a meeting with her principal in regards to a Mini We Day at her school. She is also intent on filling both of our Free The Children’s We Create Change penny bags. My mind is still swirling with all the positivity! The fact that 25$ gives water to 1 person for LIFE amazed her.
Oh wow, watching that video gave me chills. What an inspiration Molly is for every one. What an amazing time you had at WE Day. I’d love to attend one year. Definitely an event that help all of the kids in this generation. Thanks so much for sharing this!
What a fabulous Day & such an inspiring event!!!
I would totally photobomb Martin Sheen too. Love that pic! Looks like another great event, I’m hoping to go to one one day!
What an incredible day. Thank you so much for the recap and sharing the events of the day. I think I’m going to have to make a promise to myself to finally attend when it is back in Toronto again.
Wow – Molly Burke’s video is so inspiring! Great recap – I hope to make it to one someday. PS – Love your Martin Sheen photo bomb – awesome!
Molly’s story had me in tears. Wow! With people like her leading the charge, change will happen.
I truly believe that everyone can make a difference. I hope that when I die, I will be a member of that coveted group.
Sorry that I missed photo bombing Martin Sheen with you. Too much fun!
Besos, Sarah
Blogger at Journeys of The Zoo
Thank you for sharing her video. Must have been so moving to hear her speak. Sounds like We Day was an amazing moving event.
What an amazing event that must have been. Molly’s story is truly amazing. I’m so blessed to have a 14 year old who strives to “be the change” every day, but now I’m inspired to work with him and do more.
Thank you for sharing this with us!