In January 2017, I had the privilege to accompany a group of students visiting SOPAR’s development programs in India. The group was comprised of teenagers who, over the years, had fundraised to help build wells in villages where SOPAR works.
I have always been sensible to the energy of youth but in this situation, I was humbled by it. These students had spent countless volunteer hours learning about the living conditions in developing countries. They had spent even more time spreading the word not only among their families and friends but also among local politicians, entrepreneurs and organizations to rally them to their cause. They had planned and organized fundraisers and gave interviews on the radio. In 2017, they travelled to India to observe firsthand the result of their efforts. Their reactions touched me deeply:
” Being part of the SOPAR Committee at my school allowed me to develop team spirit and leadership. It allowed me to overcome my shyness. I felt privileged to work with people for a magnificent cause. Most importantly, I now realize that we can have a positive influence on the lives of thousands of people who live far away from us and that giving back, is the greatest gift in the world.” -Anne Siobhan Rousseau
“My perspective has changed completely. Every time I open the water tap, I think of the villagers I met in India. Water is a basic need but still, so many people do not have an easy access to water. I saw with my own eyes the positive impact of my actions and I will never forgot the feeling. It has given me so much hope. I will always remember the smile on the faces of the people we helped. They had so little but have given me so much… If at 16, I succeed in changing the daily lives of people in India who were not as lucky as I, no challenge will be beyond my reach.” -Laurence Labbé
SOPAR is a non-profit organization devoted to the sustainable development of India’s rural poor communities. The Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada are an important partner in this work. As an organization, we also encourage Canadians to get involved with international issues as global citizens. In 1999, SOPAR put in place an educational program entitled ‘Youth Changing the World” with the goal to raise awareness about challenges faced in developing countries and to stimulate Canadians’ sense of solidarity. Since then, more than 750 schools have participated in the program helping build more than 1500 wells in rural poor communities in India and 270 000 children and teenagers, like Anne Siobhan and Laurence, have changed their mindsets and have participated in meaningful projects that transform people’ lives.
Let us be inspired by the vitality of these adults-to-be and act today to make our home, our city, our world, a place where human dignity, equal rights and equal opportunities are enjoyed by all.
- Janice Aubry, Program Manager, SOPAR
