Change is Possible!

Sometimes, small steps result in big accomplishments. Read on to discover how three young adults took that first small step towards making a difference.

Talia Leman started with the small idea of trick or treating for coins instead of candy to raise money for Hurricane Katrina victims and ended up earning over 10 million dollars to make a difference in the world. Watch her video and visit her website, Random Kids, to see how small acts make a big difference. Change is possible!

Rachel Wheeler started with the idea of helping the poor in Haiti and has raised enough money to build 27 homes. Watch her video to see how she maintained her focus and optimism. Change is possible!

Mary Margaret O'Neill started a website called, Kids Are Heroes, to encourage kids young adults to take action in making the world a better place. Watch her PSA (public service announcement) about how her idea started and what her organization is all about. Change is possible!

You can make a difference too; it is possible!

You Can Make A Difference!

As we begin the solutions part of our Human Rights Challenge Based Learning Unit , consider how you can make a difference. Watch Jeremy Gilley's TEDtalk video to learn how he is working towards creating peace in our world.






In his TEDtalks speech, Gilley tells the story of how he fought to have people around the globe put down their weapons for at least one day, so countries can get help to millions of children in war-torn areas.  September 21 is now officially recognized as Peace Day. One day can make a difference. You too can make a difference.

Human Rights: Making the Invisible, Visible

According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 29, it states we have a responsibility to other people to protect their rights and freedoms.  When considering our yearlong essential question of what is worth fighting for, it is certain human rights are worth fighting for.

So far, in this Challenge Based Learning Unit, you have have been exposed to a variety of human rights issues in Malaysia through centers. Following your exploration, you participated in a democratic process called Focusing Four, in order to choose an issue you wanted to work towards resolving by engaging in authentic research, coming up with, and implementing solutions in order to make a difference. So began your journey...

Behind Closed Doors by Artworks for Freedom

"24/7, taking care of the household, the children.  Never allowed to go out.  I was their slave."

Identity, Unknown
by Sweta Srivastava Vikram

The ants in the wall
don‘t know me.
The roaches breeding
on the leftovers disregard me.
The house lizard mocks
my inability to detach.
The tides in the sea
urge me to forfeit.
My absence creates the presence of a fact:
I didn‘t exist for those I lived.

Both the artwork and poem above speak to the heart of the issues behind domestic worker abuse and human trafficking. Human rights abuses marginalize victims leaving them feeling powerless over their situation. Victims of abuse need our help to escape the vicious cycle they are trapped in.

You have spent this week researching information to help you identify the scope of the issue. Facts, statistics and personal stories have allowed you to make an 'invisible population' of victims, 'visible' to you. We want you to reflect on your experience.

On your personal blog, create a new post and write a reflection that documents the first step of your journey towards fighting to protect the rights and freedoms of others. In your reflection, complete the steps below:

• Title your post, "Making the Invisible, Visible: The first step..."
• Add an image or poem that captures the issue you are addressing
• Write a reflection that answers the following questions: 
• What is the issue or challenge you are addressing? Explain.
• Why is this important to you and your community and who does it impact? Explain.
• What kinds of surprises have you encountered in your research?
• How does learning about this issue make you feel and why?