We Day!

       Today’s Friday, but I didn’t go to school. Because… I went to We Day!! We Day is an event that inspires young people to make the world a better place.

       I have never been to We Day before. Others who have been described it mainly as a concert with different celebrities singing and a gathering with people talking (I didn’t even know what about). However, after today --- my first time, I would not tell people what others told me, but I would describe is as an inspiring event with heroes, speakers breathing out words which give such strong impact that they brought me tears.

       Mainly, the entire day was about building a brighter future with young people with dreams. Moreover, the problems with the modern world are explained. Via a variety of ways, the topics of poverty, lack of education, famines, problems with water sources in the developing countries and bullying issues in Canada are presented. Some of the time, videos were put on the screens. Other times, hosts and guests spoke with a clear purpose. Another small portion of time was the performances with singers and dancers.

       What touched me the most is the idea of having a dream and achieving it through blood and sweat. Spencer West had a shocking and incredible life. I barely watched the TV or listened to the news on radio before. I didn’t care anything about the world outside of my own social and family circle. I never really learned about anything from anywhere, except, sometimes, from Socials Class. So I didn’t know who Spencer West is until I came to We Day. Spencer was amputated from pelvis down due to a genetic disorder when he was five. Spencer now walks both on his hands and in his wheelchair. But even without legs, he successfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, one of the largest mountains in Africa in May 2012. He also completed a 300 km trek from Edmonton to Calgary in May 2013. To be honest, the video We Day showed us about Spencer made me laugh a little while watching Spencer walking on his arms, because his actions made him look exactly like a gorilla. However, this, ironically, also made me cry a little. Spencer has this huge disability and abnormality differing him from regular people; But even him, raised more than 500,000 dollars for Kenya Clean Water Project! He had a dream, and it was to raise 750,000 dollars. I admire him not for he has or almost will achieve his goal, but it is because he overcame obstacles, believed in the impossible, and made a difference. He chased after his ridiculous dream with no legs, no matter how many “no”s he has heard. There are other inspiring examples and this is only one of them. Real heroes face their impossible goal that others think cannot be achieved, but finish with cuts and scars, yet glory and pride.

       Now, after seeing so many videos both at school and at We Day, I cannot wait for my PR Card to get returned to me, so I can go on a service trip, either by school or by Me to We Organization. I would love to experience the culture of developing countries filled with sweet love and joy. The videos are breath-taking and I know I would so much enjoy the trip.

       We Day was extremely inspiring and I definitely would love to go again next year. Learning the facts that I never wanted to face or even hear, understanding the misery yet the hopefulness the victims in developing countries face, realizing the job that young people, like me have ----- spread the word, take actions, and make a difference. I look forward to the next We Day!