Fricker students think WE

Story and photos by Paige Shemilt/Special to BayToday.ca

Students at W.J. Fricker hosted special guest speakers from ‘Free the Children’ the world's largest network of children helping children through education on Wednesday.

Over one million youth are involved with innovative Free the Children programs in more than 45 countries and Corinne Viegas and D.J. Demers were at Fricker to talk with students about ‘Think We’ a leadership program. They touched on subjects that included world issues, bullying, and healthy lifestyles.

“They talked about how children are working and there is poverty around the world,” says Grade 7 student Aubrey Bates.

Demers, who has been part of the organization for about 7 months says their role is to help engage youth in making a difference. He says he is proud of the youth that he meets and they keep him inspired to continue the work of Free the Children.

“This organization is able to talk about really important issues in the world but also do it in a way that is fun and engaging for young kids to actually make them feel like they are empowered to make a difference. That is when my passion for this organization first started,” explains Demers.

“We aren't preaching, we are just kind of facilitating their own conversation about how important it is to be a good global citizen.”

Corrine Viegas has been working with Free the Children for a year and a half and says she loves every minute of her job.

“It's so frustrating when they're (youth) not given the chance because of adults or people thinking they are too young. And for us to see that they are so frustrated because they want to be given a chance and they aren't always given that chance and to see them strive beyond that is absolutely incredible.”

She admits that the travelling is never ending but says she is grateful to have the opportunity to inspire youth. But adds that the best part of the job is working with the youth and being able to see what they have to offer.

Fricker was the third area school they had the opportunity to visit and the duo say the kids that they have worked with in North Bay have been phenomenal.

They finish their tour by talking with students at White Woods P.S. Thursday and Mattawa P.S. on Friday.