The Change Your World Alberta Youth Leadership Tour is back!
This year, the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation, in partnership with Sombrilla International Development Society, will be travelling with 5 Alberta youth to Sombrilla’s partner community of Yurac Yacu, in the highlands of Peru. The Alberta youth will be paired with indigenous Peruvian youth and they will spend two weeks living, learning, and sharing with each other. By spending concentrated time together, the youth from both countries will ideally develop a deeper understanding of each other and their respective cultures.
ACGC received a wealth of nominations, each spectacular in their own way. It was wonderful to read about the amazing work that Albertan youth are engaging in and the actions they take each day to become global citizens and leaders in their communities.
Selecting 5 youth was a difficult decision, as each student nominated was deserving of the opportunity and would have brought their own unique perspective to the group.
Our selection committee was careful to fully consider both teacher and student responses, previous experiences and opportunities, and a demonstrated passion for international development and global issues, as well as ensuring that a diverse group of students were able to take part.
Meet the Albertan Youth
Julie Le – Calgary, AB (Grade 11)
Julie is a grade eleven student at Father Lacombe High School in Calgary, Alberta. She has been an active member in both her local and school community. As a member of the school's social justice committee, Julie has developed a passion for the pursuit of social justice, thus joining The Mobilizers, Free the Children's Calgary youth group. In addition to having been a member of these groups, she is also a part of her school's yearbook committee, student council, choir, and a few athletic teams. Julie has an earnest, keen interest in world issues and believes that each person can contribute to making a change, including herself.
Kianna Dewart – Calgary, AB (Grade 12)
Kianna is a grade 12 student at Queen Elizabeth High School in Calgary She has been involved in many activities in her school. She runs the International Certificate Club, is an active member of the Youth Volunteer Club, she played on the high schools volleyball team and in grade eleven organized and ran her high school’s first Glee Club. Outside of school Kianna is an official volunteer for the Canadian Red Cross. As a Red Cross Youth Leader, Kianna, along with five other students, organizes workshops for teens, educating her peers about global issues such as HIV/AIDS and Child Soldiers at youth events across Calgary. In 2011 she went with the Calgary Board of Education as one of 28 students to attend the International Youth Leadership Summit in Macau, China. This year Kianna was named as one of Alberta's top 30 under 30 2012 by the Alberta Council for Global Co-operation. Kianna enjoys volleyball, musical theatre, dance, eating ice cream and travel. Next year she is planning to study International Development in the fall at the University of Calgary.
Ross Anderson – Edmonton, AB (Grade 12)
Ross is finishing up Grade 12 at Strathcona High School in Edmonton. By far the best experience of this school year has been his involvement in the school's Live, Love Lend campaign. The campaign successfully raised $56,000 for Microloans. Ross will be entering Engineering in the fall at the University of Alberta. In his spare time, Ross enjoys playing and coaching tennis, swimming, snowboarding, playing the guitar, computer programming and mountain biking. He has had some great travel experiences in the past and is excited for even more in Peru!
Chance Roasting – Tsuu T’ina (Grade 12)
Chance is a grade 12 student at TsuuT’ina Jr/Sr High School. A well rounded individual, Chance plays on the school volleyball team, loves playing the drums and is an active and essential member of his school’s Students Against Drunk Driving chapter. A charismatic and well-loved student in his school and community, Chance is very much looking forward to the tour and hopes to come away with a strong understanding of Peruvian culture.
Sarah Carr – Edmonton (Grade 10)
Sarah is a grade ten student at ME Lazerte.High School in Edmonton She is active in the leadership program in her school and a vibrant volunteer in her community. Sarah has been involved with a long term project developing interpretive trails at Sandy Beach. She’s been a regular volunteer with the mobile soup kitchen in Edmonton, as well as with a variety of other fundraisers and awareness events. Sarah is very excited to start her world travels with the Change Your World Tour.
Meet the Peruvian Youth
Javier Juver Caururo Oropeza, 17 years old.
I was born and live in a small community called Tuquipayoc. My parents helped to educate me and I finished Secondary school in the community of Marian. I am a very studious person with great dreams and am also artistic. When I left school I started to see what I wanted to do professionally and started a leadership and outside skills course in the Educational Center of Yurac Yacu. I received a scholarship for an outdoor first aid course. I am a happy person, funny too and enjoy the new friends I have made with this course.
Eduardo Norabuena Oropeza, 20 years old.
I am Eduardo and I am a relaxed person. I really like the adventure of trekking. I finished secondary school in Marian and I am content with the opportunities that The Yurac Yacu Center and The Lazy Dog Inn are presenting, I see my future and will continue.
Mitchel Yanel Oropeza Henotrozo, 16 years old.
I am in secondary school and have 2 years left to study in Marian. I enjoy games, conversations, climbing boulders, trekking and want to be a good guide in the future.
Maricris Lazaro Roque, 20 years.
I am in my last year of secondary school. When I finish studying I want to study English because I like to talk and want to communicate with people. My favorite animals are a horse and dog and the color of sky blue is the best color. I enjoy reading and especially ledgends from the area where I live. I look forward to meeting the students from Canada.
Yesenia Lazaro Roque , 21 years old.
Right now I am working in the mornings with the small children in the Yurac Yacu Center and I study English in the afternoon. I like my English course and I am advancing well. I have also taken a course on leadership and outdoor skills for the mountains taught by Diana and other volunteers from other countries. I want to be a guide in the future. But I may also find other things I love to do. I am happy to be meeting the Alberta students soon.
From July 29th until August 11th, the tour will go from Edmonton to Peru, visiting projects in Huaraz, Yurac Yacu, Lima and Chincha Baja. The youth will be accompanied by Sarah Cashmore, a member of the Sombrilla Board of Directors and Project Manager of the Yurac Yacu project and Joëlle Badman, Program Coordinator for the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation.
Stay tuned for more updates, stories, photos and videos!
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