ANDREW L’S JOURNEY TO AFRICA, THAT CHANGED HIM
Nearing the end of his high school experience Andrew L was being affected by the people he was associating with and his future looked bleak. His parents took notice of this, thus suggesting he travel, this would further his independence and help him to garner new experiences. Africa opened his eyes to the stark contrast of living conditions and opportunities around the world. This cultural awareness and acknowledgement for the privileges we have in Canada emphasized the importance of global perspective for empathy of others. After the trip, Andrew left with a new level of emotional maturity, and his life was on the right trajectory. I found this story compelling, though I do have to acknowledge that a trip like this isn’t exactly realistic for everyone, the lesson you can take away from this is universal however, as not understanding other people’s perspectives is ignorance, an ignorance narrows one’s mind.
Poppy’s Grandfather, Elliot has been involved in the army since he was 16 years old, this mere fact alone tells me that he was always a selfless person who wanted to make a difference even at a young age. Something that stood out to me when reading this story was Elliots unwavering dedication to the peacekeeping efforts during his time in country. His strong work effort and willingness to help people in need, even in difficult conditions, shows that he is truely a compassionate person. Poppy’s Grandad described of the Nepalese people as “incredibly funny and such happy people, even when they did not have a penny to their name” is a lesson in appreciating the simple joys in life, and facing adversity with humour. One can reflect on and try to emulate elliott’s strong moral compass and values to make a positive impact on the people and places they are surrounded by.
SURVIVING WORLD WAR 2- A LONG JOURNEY TO STABILITY IN CANADA
The story of Uta Deussau is an impactful narrative studded with lush and descriptive vocabulary that highlights the resilience and strength of people who have faced extreme adversity in their lives. It offers valuable lessons and insights, the first of which being the importance of family and connection during hard times. In the story, Uta explains how her mother would try to protect her, and her sibling’s heads during air raids, even if it was just a feeble attempt at shielding them, it’s still reflective of Uta’s mother’s tenacity and need to protect her children. This is a value that Uta carried on into her Life in British Columbia as now she looks out for her family providing them with food and wisdom. As a person who recognizes the power that knowledge holds, I an aware that when somebody is offering you their wisdom it is not something that should be ignored or overlooked. it’s a way of protecting the people around you and pushing them to strive for a better life, to me this is the purest expression of love.
Articles:
Photos:
Feature image Photoshoped by me, containing images from these articles: