Sara (middle) and a few of her world changing friends.
Sara Schouten, a grade 12 student, decided she had enough stuff in her life a week before her birthday. Her forward thinking produced the best, most rewarding birthday she’s ever had. Sara decided to throw a party and ask for donations to The HEAL Project instead of gifts. The 35 friends that joined her for a rowdy night of good times raised $230 and shared in the amazing feeling of directing positive change on a global scale.
On December 2nd we visited Sara at her school to ask her a few questions and reconnect with a few of her close friends. Here’s what she had to say in a very quick Q&A over lunch hour.
On December 2nd we visited Sara at her school to ask her a few questions and reconnect with a few of her close friends. Here’s what she had to say in a very quick Q&A over lunch hour.
Sara and $220 in Birthday cash
ChildSoldier.ca: What motivated you to raise money for The HEAL Project?
Sara: Um, I feel like I have too much stuff. I’ve always felt like that – and I really don’t need anything else. My needs are all fulfilled so why not help someone else fill theirs?
ChildSoldier.ca: How many people ended up coming to your party?
Sara: 35.
ChildSoldier.ca: Was it fun?
Sara: Ya – everybody had a great time and I asked them to bring money instead of a gift. And they said ‘really?’ I said ‘ya that would make me happy.’
ChildSoldier.ca: Why did you choose the issue of child soldiers and The HEAL Project to support?
Sara: Well in English class we read a book called Oryx and Crake (Margret Atwood) and there was a lot of human trafficking going on in the story. Very explicit. And it got me thinking about how terrible it is. I don’t want these issues to happen and The HEAL Project is a reliable place to give the money.
ChildSoldier.ca: How does it feel to have raised this money?
Sara: It feels GREAT! I can’t wait to do it again. I posted pictures on Facebook and people are like, ‘wow that looks like so much fun. Can you have another one?’ And I’m like, ‘ya, I could totally do this again.’ I want to do it again. I want to do something else like this again. It’s good.
ChildSoldier.ca: Did you have a Hug Pile?
Sara: Oh yeah we did but we didn’t take a picture. We’re big huggers.
ChildSoldier.ca: Do you have a message or advice for people that may want to do something similar to what you just did?
Sara: It’s so much easier than you think it is. At first it takes a lot of your own initiative because other people don’t expect you to be so altruistic. It took a while for people to understand that I really didn’t want anything (gifts) and for people that want to try doing this – just do it. It’s fun and if you’re enthusiastic than other people will be too.
Photos and interview by: Zac Whyte
Sara: Um, I feel like I have too much stuff. I’ve always felt like that – and I really don’t need anything else. My needs are all fulfilled so why not help someone else fill theirs?
ChildSoldier.ca: How many people ended up coming to your party?
Sara: 35.
ChildSoldier.ca: Was it fun?
Sara: Ya – everybody had a great time and I asked them to bring money instead of a gift. And they said ‘really?’ I said ‘ya that would make me happy.’
ChildSoldier.ca: Why did you choose the issue of child soldiers and The HEAL Project to support?
Sara: Well in English class we read a book called Oryx and Crake (Margret Atwood) and there was a lot of human trafficking going on in the story. Very explicit. And it got me thinking about how terrible it is. I don’t want these issues to happen and The HEAL Project is a reliable place to give the money.
ChildSoldier.ca: How does it feel to have raised this money?
Sara: It feels GREAT! I can’t wait to do it again. I posted pictures on Facebook and people are like, ‘wow that looks like so much fun. Can you have another one?’ And I’m like, ‘ya, I could totally do this again.’ I want to do it again. I want to do something else like this again. It’s good.
ChildSoldier.ca: Did you have a Hug Pile?
Sara: Oh yeah we did but we didn’t take a picture. We’re big huggers.
ChildSoldier.ca: Do you have a message or advice for people that may want to do something similar to what you just did?
Sara: It’s so much easier than you think it is. At first it takes a lot of your own initiative because other people don’t expect you to be so altruistic. It took a while for people to understand that I really didn’t want anything (gifts) and for people that want to try doing this – just do it. It’s fun and if you’re enthusiastic than other people will be too.
Photos and interview by: Zac Whyte
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