We Are Called During Catholic Education Week
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board
Catholic Education Centre, Mississauga, ON
1 May 2008

In Canada, we think of the Dominican Republic as a beautiful place with great weather, comfortable resorts, and fun relaxing beaches… and when you or I go on vacation there, we feel right at home with as much food as we like, air conditioning, and TVs and toys to keep us satisfied. However, the reality is that just outside the gates of the resort, a world of extreme poverty exists.

Less than 1/5 of the world lives the way we do. More than 80% of the world’s population lives in conditions far worse, in poverty.

I got to experience life in a third world country for one week, touching the hands of the elderly who have suffered all their lives, and holding in my arms children who have little hope for the future.

Before the trip, I was nervous and unsure. But, I remembered to trust in Providence. Providence means “God will provide”. I also thought about our school motto, “To Trust, To Risk, To Love, To Serve”.

From this trip I became aware of the harsh realities that much of the world faces. God’s people are suffering every day as we here buy luxury vehicles, huge homes, and expensive toys to distract ourselves. Parents work around the clock in sweatshops making the incredibly low minimum wage. Elderly Dominicans spend long hours in the sun and heat cutting tons of sugar cane for subsistence wages. Meanwhile, I can stand in a store in the mall and earn over $30 in just 4 hours, no sweat, no sun, no heat, and sell the very jeans made by these virtually enslaved Dominicans.

Charitable Initiative

Upon returning from the Dominican Republic, I decided to take action. I wanted to help the children in the Dominican Republic receive an education, to help them get out of poverty. I was invited to speak at my local parish, St. Marguerite d’Youville Catholic Church, at all the masses one weekend in March of 2006. The parishioners responded with tremendous generosity, donating over $8,500 to my new cause. That first collection became what is today ACCESS Charity.

The formal goal of ACCESS Charity is to provide needy children in the developing world with school uniforms and necessary school supplies, so that they have the opportunity to obtain the education required to find decent employment and support their families. ACCESS also aims to educate youth in North America about the current situation and relevant issues in the developing world. By starting this organization, I have created lasting change.

In the last two years, I have spoken at several elementary schools throughout our board, and am anxious to continue my quest of spreading the word about the importance of education in the developing world. ACCESS Charity has been recognized in the media recently as well.

Called to Make a Difference

As stated in our board’s Code of Conduct, building Catholic education communities calls for the best that each one of us has to offer. The parents, trustees, officers, school administrators, school staff members, parish priests, and of course students must emphasize and discover new solutions to the challenges that we face today. I believe that one of these challenges is; becoming aware of how to be an active Catholic, showing care for all. Establishing ACCESS Charity created a way to create lasting change for people in the developing world, while at the same time it has allowed me to spread the message of how students, just like myself, can make a difference in the world.

As you know, the theme of this year’s Catholic Education Week is “We Are Called”. The bible verse from Micah says, “We are called to act with justice, to love tenderly, to walk humbly, to give generously and to live peacefully”. The Dominican Republic Exposure Experience, attending a d’Youville Catholic Secondary School, and working on ACCESS Charity has enabled me to answer all of these callings.

For full details on ACCESS Charity and our projects, please visit www.accesscharity.ca.

I am honoured to be a student of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic school board and would like to thank you for your time during this treasured Catholic Education Week.