Rick Stiebel/B次元官网网址 Gazette staff
Keagan Tait is taking part in a coast to coast tour that aims to spread the word on the importance of human rights, diversity, sustainable development and conflict resolution.
Those principles are the four pillars of the ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 International Summer Village, an initiative with chapters in 45 countries that promotes peace and cross-cultural understanding through programs for children, youth and adults.
While that may sound like a tall order for Tait, a 14-year-old Grade 9 student at Belmont secondary school, his involvement with CISV for the past five years has helped instill the values of the organizationB次元官网网址檚 aforementioned pillars, as well as the importance of giving back through volunteering.
The Victoria branch of CISV meets once a month, and branches in participating countries hosting events each summer, which provided Tait with the opportunity to go to Holland when he was 11. B次元官网网址淚t was part of creating a global connection thatB次元官网网址檚 in tune with the diversity pillar,B次元官网网址� he explained.
Each of the 12 students taking part in the 39-day trip on the Peace Bus from Mile Zero in Victoria to Halifax for this yearB次元官网网址檚 event has to arrange activities for the others in their home town, Tait said.
B次元官网网址淚 thought of a beach trip on the first day because theyB次元官网网址檒l be pretty tired after travelling to Victoria and some of them have never seen the ocean,B次元官网网址� he noted. A tour of the Inner Harbour and downtown is planned for the next day, as well as some volunteering to clean up Willows Beach. Activities also include a four-hour shift helping out at the Rainbow Kitchen in Esquimalt, which prepares meals for those in need of a nutritious meal.
Although heB次元官网网址檚 been to the east coast once before, Tait said this trip will be special. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 very excited to see the country as part of the Canada 150 celebrations,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 going to be a great experience.B次元官网网址�
In addition to his time with CISV, Tait enjoys performing with BelmontB次元官网网址檚 drum line, which placed fifth in a provincial competition in Abbotsford in April.
B次元官网网址淚t was a good chance to see where weB次元官网网址檙e at and test our skills,B次元官网网址� said Tait, who took up the activity as one of his outside school courses.
B次元官网网址淲e were generally pretty happy with fifth place, considering itB次元官网网址檚 only the second year weB次元官网网址檝e had a drum line. I love music and itB次元官网网址檚 a great way to make friends.B次元官网网址�
Peace Bus drivers Emily Power and Sarah Cook, both from St. JohnB次元官网网址檚, Newfoundland, said they are looking forward to the opportunity to work with youth while seeing the country. B次元官网网址淭he theme for the trip is human rights,B次元官网网址� said Power, a registered social worker.
B次元官网网址淭he focus is on Canada as a settler nation deconstructing power and privilege,B次元官网网址� added Cook, a communications and media graduate.
