are you redseven?
Are you a responsible, empowered and dedicated global citizen?
Do you live the mission and vision of the redseven charitable foundation?
If so, tell us your story. We want to showcase young people defending youth education and share their inspirational stories with others. Your story will be featured on this very section of our website with opportunities for exposure in our blog, facebook group, and much more. Sharing is caring so start typing!
are you redseven? these people are!
rachel gladstone
sara elder
mike rice
rachel gladstone
toronto, ontario
17 years old
How did you contribute to the youth education movement?
With the help of my family, I founded Labour of Love Angola (LOLA), an organization aimed at ameliorating maternal and perienatal health conditions in Angola. The goal is to empower women and reduce maternal mortality by providing nurse training programs and education materials in rural communities.
Why do you support youth education?
It is only through the education of youth that true improvement is realized. Teaching youth opens doors to vast opportunities and ensures long-term change, rather than a quick fix. Individuals can improve their own quality of life while contributing to that of their community.
What is your most memorable contribution to the cause?
When volunteering at a hospital in Angola, I met a patient named Theresa. By fifteen, Theresa was pregnant and, by sixteen, she had lost her baby and been diagnosed with a vesicovaginal fistula.Tragically, her situation was entirely preventable. Her story stirred me profoundly, and inspired me to create LOLA.
Who is your philanthropic role model? Mentor?
I have always been inspired by Craig Kielburger and his work with Free the Children. His commitment to abolishing child labour compels me to pursue my involvement with LOLA. Mr.Kielburger is a prime example of someone harnessing their passions and skills to better the planet.
Finish the sentence: If all children were educated…
the future would be bright!
sara elder
vancouver, bc
27 years old
How did you contribute to the youth education movement?
I help build the capacity of the Association for Youth Literacy and Trades Education (ASOLATE), a Rwandan charity that trains youth in employable skills, project management and cooperative organization, to achieve its goals by connecting it with individuals and organizations in Canada.
Why do you support youth education?
While living and working in Rwanda, I asked people “If there is one thing I can do to contribute to Rwanda, what is it?” and every single person I asked replied, “Education.” Youth are the future, and education provides them with the capacity to shape the future and build a better world.
What is your most memorable contribution to the cause?
My most memorable contribution was connecting the Executive Director of ASOLATE with Vancouver-based organization Sawa Global who supported his trip to Canada to receive project management training and to attend the Dalai Lama’s Connecting for Change Conference.
Who is your philanthropic role model? Mentor?
I don’t have one role model but learn from and am encouraged by many people. I was raised understanding that everyone is equal in the sense that everyone should have the same opportunities. To me, it only seems fair that I use the opportunities I’ve been given to help give opportunities to others.
Finish the sentence: If all children were educated…
they would have the opportunity and capacity to shape their future and build a better world.
mike rice
gormley, ontario
18 years old
How have you contributed to the youth education movement?
The most effective contribution I have made towards youth education would be the fundraising I have partaken in for the Mully Children’s Family. I’m part of an annual event called A Night For Africa, which raised over $24,000 last year. I have as well recently been fundraising for a university fund because I plan on sponsoring one of my very close friends at MCF named Ramah so he has the opportunity to go to university.
Why do you support youth education?
I thoroughly support youth education because I believe the lack of youth education throughout the world, is the foundation and main cause of the poverty cycle. If an entire generation of children throughout the world were educated, issues in third world countries such as rampant corruption and the incidence of HIV/AIDS would decrease drastically.
What is your most memorable contribution to the cause?
One of my favourite and most cherished memories while being at the Mully Children’s Family was one of the last days I spent there. Some of the orphans I had become very close with opened up to me and shared their life testimonies. These stories blew my mind as they described their childhood living on streets and their desire to be able to go to school and be educated. All of these children have dreams of pursuing professional careers and now that they are being educated at MCF, these dreams have become possible. I believe every child should have the right to education.
Who is your philanthropic role model? Mentor?
My philanthropic role model is Dr. Charles Mully, who is the founder of the Mully Children’s Family in Kenya, Africa. Charles is absolutely the most inspiring man I have ever met. He struggled severely in poverty as a youth but ended up being a very successful businessman and in result of that, a millionaire. One day Charles decided to give up everything he owned and develop an orphanage for the street children of Kenya. Today, the Mully Children’s Family has cared to over 5000 children, and currently cares to over 2000 children.
Finish the sentence: If all children were educated…
world poverty would be much less of an issue than it is today, as there would be way less people living under poverty circumstances.