Laurier Senior High School

STUDENTS CROSSING BORDERS TO BRING GLOBAL CHANGE

From left to right:
Kristina Martinez, Veronica Fiorilli and Jessica Giambagno at the Palais de Congrès.

 To do good deeds, one doesn’t have to go very far.  Giving through small gestures can have a significant impact.  As we give, we are receiving. Through a uniting project, “Learners Without Borders” participants are both giving and receiving.  In exchange of giving, participants of all ages are gaining a new and better appreciation of their own lives.

“School is meaningful when you are changing the world”, said Ms. Kallianiotis.
In 2009, Ms. Angela Kallianiotis’ Social Studies class started an exceptional project named Learners Without Borders.  Students were taught about the challenges faced by numerous African people, including the lack of safe drinking water, no basic shelter, and child abuse.  As the awareness grew, the students became more interested and involved. The teacher and students felt an urgent need to reach out and help these less fortunate people to improve and live a better quality life.

The first step to this project was the creation of a direct correspondence with a school in Uganda, Africa, called The Future Leaders School. Led by the students at Laurier Senior High School and Laval Liberty High School, all students in Quebec now have an opportunity to communicate with students across the world through letters, emails and Skype.  A relationship developed among the students as they shared their life experiences.

Senior Students at The Future Leaders School in Uganda, Africa wearing their new uniforms and shirts from Laurier Senior HS, Laval, QC.

Ms. Kallianiotis and her students took immediate action and decided that they were going to make a difference in the lives of the African people.  Thus, the mission of the organization is based on a well- known proverb:  “Give a man a fish and you have fed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you have fed him for a lifetime”. Learners Without Borders is designed to administer sustainable aid for the African people. Using basic materials like recycled paper, beads, recycled praying mats, wood, clay and cow bone, the African people create and produce the increasingly popular Kajjansi Jewelry. The town of Kajjansi was the first to undertake the production of jewelry, hence the name. They have since expanded the production and correspondence to Burkina Faso and Kenya. The finished product is couriered to Canada where students like me sell the jewelry.  The profits are then used to pay the employees who create and produce the jewelry, and to address specific needs that have been identified by students.

“Learners Without Borders is an educational project that shows how a group of dedicated students are able to transform the world, one community at a time”, said Ms. Kallianiotis.
Students like me can play an important role in the development of this project by spreading awareness and educating society on the struggles of the African people.  Learners Without Borders gives students opportunities to express themselves and their talent, while spreading the word of the project.  With a wide range of events from benefit concerts, pancake sales, oral presentations and contributions of personal talent, Learners Without Borders has a place for everyone.
I have had the opportunity to help Learners Without Borders by participating in various events such as jewelry sales, creating presentations and speaking at several events such as the Teachers’ Convention.   An experience like my own allows students to develop important skills, provides networking opportunities and encourages them to be creative, while making a real difference in the lives of our less fortunate counterparts in Africa.
This project empowers participants to be innovative and resourceful.  “Everyone belongs and everyone is able to shine in this project”, said Ms. Kallianiotis.  It also proves that young people can make a difference.  I encourage students and the youth in my community to help make a difference by joining our efforts to help our friends across needy borders.
Join us in our effort to bring global change.  Book a presentation for your school or company, or buy our Kajjansi Jewelry online at www.learnerswithoutborder.com       

By: Jessica Giambagno - Level V Student