Last summer, Orillia Secondary School (OSS) student Abby Taher had the opportunity to travel to Kenya for a three-week volunteer trip through Me to We.
“I helped build a school for the students of the Olorien community,” she explained. “This was an eye-opening adventure that reminded me how fortunate I am.”
The adventure gave her a first-hand look at some of the obstacles that Kenyan students face every day “such as lack of nutrition and clean water, as well as many hours of physical labour before and after school.”
She learned it's not easy to be a youngster in that country.
“Despite their hardships, these children were the most grateful, inspiring and hardworking people I have encountered,” Taher said. “They have shown me the true meaning of happiness, family and community.”
Taher says she has always been a proponent of the power of education and its potential to have a life-altering impact that opens up opportunities for people.
“Without an education, too many students in Kenya are unable to break the cycle of poverty that restricts them from changing their lives for the better,” she said, noting that while elementary education is free, the majority of youth in Kenya cannot continue their education as secondary school is unaffordable for families.
“On top of this, school supplies are difficult to pay for, and many students get left behind in their classes due to their lack of resources,” she said.
The life-changing, first-hand experience in Kenya has inspired Taher to do her part – to raise awareness and funds to aid the students she fell in love with.
Taher has teamed up with Kevin Gangloff, the director of the Orillia Youth Centre, to organize a benefit concert and silent auction event on Saturday, July 14.
The event, which will be held at the Geneva Event Centre at 16 West St. S., starts at 6 p.m. and all proceeds will support Me to We’s education improvement initiatives in Kenya.
The “Orillia Musicians Supporting Change” event will help make education more attainable for these students, in order to improve their quality of life and allow them to pursue their goals, said Taher.
She notes “some incredible musicians will be performing.”
The lineup includes Madden & McNiven, a group of talented students from OSS who are pursuing music at the post-secondary level. Also performing is VK, the talented duo of Steve and Marni Van Kessel, who held their ‘Terms & Conditions’ album release show on Friday.
In addition, Brassworks will be performing. This group of brass musicians from all over Ontario have been showcased in Orillia’s Jazz Festival in the past.
Twin Lakes Secondary School graduates Ayden Miller and Danny Webster are also set to perform at Geneva. Webster attends Humber College, where he is studying music, and has released albums and played at the Mariposa Folk Festival. Miller was the keyboard player of Aurora Blue and is now working with Webster in their new band, The Pesky Snakes; they have released two songs to date.
Taher says local businesses have also generously donated a variety of silent auction items to bid on.
Tickets for the event can be purchased at https://orilliayouthcentre.ticketleap.com and will soon be available at Alleycats Music & Art (95 Mississaga St. E.)
ME to WE is a social initiative whose goal is to procure large-scale funding for humanitarian operations around the world. The non-government agency operates in Asia, Africa, and Latin America with efforts including school construction and provision of drinking water. The organization was founded more than 20 years ago by entrepreneurs, brothers Craig and Marc Kielburger
