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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

From a movement comes an activist

Attending 'heart-wrenching' event alters goals

By: Jenny Ford

Posted: 09/22/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Erica Wiebe attended We Day last year and went on the Me to We trip to Ecuador in the summer. (PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ) Photo Store

For Erica Wiebe, We Day was a life-altering experience that not only changed how she thought about the world, but also changed her own actions.

"It gave me options to help in and outside my community," the 18-year-old said. "It was heart-wrenching but it was pretty informative at the same time."

We Day's goal is simple -- to inform young people about local and global issues and get them involved, whether it's helping out at a soup kitchen or building a well in Africa.

The second annual We Day event in Winnipeg will bring together high school and middle school students on Oct. 30 to hear speakers, watch performers and help create excitement about making a difference in the world.

Wiebe took her activism beyond the one-day event to the Me to We trip, a partner organization of We Day. She travelled to Ecuador in the summer, where she helped build a school, along with 25 other people. "It was hard work but rewarding work," she said.

The team poured and mixed concrete by hand and bent rebar to build the two-storey building. What struck Wiebe most about the community was the happiness she saw among the people.

"They have way less than we do, but they have such a positive attitude," she said. "Their sense of community is really distinctive."

She's brought these lessons to Canada as she enters her first year in music therapy at the Canadian Mennonite University.

"I'm more conscious now of the things I say and what I buy," she said, adding she makes an effort to buy only fair-trade products.

Wiebe is part of the Winnipeg (MOB)ilizers, a group that helps engage youth in the community and raise money for campaigns and programs for Free the Children, We Day's parent organization.

Some of the activities include We Scare Hunger, where instead of going door to door for candy on Halloween, they collect canned food for food banks. There is also the Vow of Silence, 24 hours of no speaking, writing or emailing. The fundraising and awareness campaign sheds light on communities that don't have a voice because of poverty, exploitation or denial of basic human rights. Wiebe participated in the challenge last year.

"It was very difficult," she said. "I can't imagine not having a voice or not being able to have an opinion."

She also speaks to groups about her experiences and encourages others to get involved.

"Even if people are aware of where stuff comes from or even if they volunteer at a soup kitchen, do anything to help your fellow man," she said.

jennifer.ford@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 22, 2012 A14

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