Liza Swindell
President of Free the Children Club – New Canaan Chapter
When Craig Kielburger was just 12 years old, he stumbled across an article in the newspaper that told the story of Iqbal Masih. Iqbal, like Craig, was just 12 years old, however his young life was one plagued with slavery and child labor. Craig was inspired when Iqbal spoke out against child labor and learned that such a little voice had the power to make a great change.
When Iqbal lost his life much too young, Craig picked up where Iqbal left off and “Free The Children” was created.
“Free the Children” now revolves around the model of youth empowering youth to change the world both locally and abroad. Many charities look upon children solely as recipients of aid. However “Free the Children” recognizes that youth can be the most effective of problem solvers and that we can’t leave the changing of the world only in the hands of adults.
Two years ago, “Free the Children” was brought to New Canaan High School for the first time. Like all new clubs, the founding members initially struggled to gain speed and differentiate themselves from the multitude of other clubs that the school offered. However, through hard work our club was able to make a name for itself, an outcome of the passion of its members.
Teacher advisor Stephanie Macomber has been able to recognize the importance of the power of youth. “What I love most about advising “Free The Children” is watching my students live out their passion for justice. It’s remarkable to witness teenagers take on global issues. Kids can be agents of great change in the world and “Free the Children” allows them an outlet to do this which is why I enjoy working with the club and the organization,” she said.
This past summer, 13 members of our club had the opportunity to travel to Kenya in order to participate in the building of a school house, and meet the community who would be using it. This school house that was able to be built through the various fundraisers that our club organized throughout the year.
This trip to Kenya was unlike anything I have ever done in my life. After 14 hours on a plane and one hour on a lorry we were finally dropped deep in the Masaii Mara in a village called Mwangaza. We all expected to come across a place of desperation and sadness but instead we found it was quite the opposite. We were greeted with open arms and everywhere we turned were excited children jumping up and down and yelling “Jambo!!!” which means hello in their native language. For 12 days we were integrated into this tight knit community and worked side by side with the Kenyan’s in the building of a schoolhouse. It was the most amazing thing as we were able to see the process from start to finish. Back in the U.S. we funded for this school, and then there we were, watching it come together.
Junior Sydney Trager, one of the other students who traveled to Kenya, marked this trip as one of the most important things she has done in her life. “Free The Children has changed my life forever. I’ve learned that I really do have the power to make a difference,” she said.
“Free the Children” meets every Tuesday night at 6:00 p.m. in room 104. We’re always happy to get new members!
