KELOWNA – Hundreds of Kelowna elementary students are getting a taste of poverty in developing countries without having to leave the Okanagan.
Global Citizen Kelowna is a volunteer run group that teaches people of all ages to be good global citizens. It has staged disturbing displays of what the slums look like. It’s also simulating what working conditions are like for workers as young as five in sweat shops around the world.
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“Based on comments from parents and teachers it is very impactful. A number of teachers have said this is the most dynamic field trip they go on, that it actually makes difference in how they think about things, how they view things, ” says Joyce Brinkerhoff, the executive director for Global Citizen Kelowna.
Brinkerhoff says the hope is that students start to think about making a difference at a young age whether that be abroad or here at home.
“We do have schools even after events saying what can we do locally, which seniors home can we visit, which people can we go downtown and help write Christmas cards for them whatever the situation might be,” says Brinkerhoff.
Global Citizen events take place all month including the Global Children’s Villages open to the public. That takes place on February 22nd. A Global Speakers Series will also take place and will feature a former child soldier from Uganda.
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