Saving Lives Below H2O

TLSS EcoTurtles is focusing on raising awareness for the environmental struggles of underwater life on a global scale and within our community.
The city of Orillia is home to two major freshwater lakes (Simcoe amd Couchiching) both of which are home to countless species of marine and semi-aquatic wildlife. For this reason, TLSS EcoTurtles hopes to partner with Kids for Turtles, a local wildlife organization dedicated to promoting providing environmental education to raise awareness for wildlife habitats.
TLSS EcoTurtles is also interested in going global by looking into the Global Reef Alliance.
Stay tuned by following @TLSSEcoTurtles on twitter for Turtle Tuesdays and Freshwater Fact Fridays, as well as information about upcoming events such as field trips and educational experiences!

Global Goal: Health and Wellbeing

My name is Rideau and I am working towards the third Global Goal of Health and Well Being. I planned a fundraiser at Twin Lakes to raise money for mosquito nets in communities where malaria is a large health concern. The fundraiser is a buyout for a student vs teacher volleyball game where each homeroom must raise $25 in order to attend. There is also a bake sale. I organized these events with tons of help from the school Me to We club.
Getting these mosquito nets is important because in 2015, there were 212 million malaria cases and 429 000 malaria deaths (WHO). Mosquito nets trap mosquitoes, which spread the disease, and protect the people sleeping under them to keep them healthy.
To help my local community, I started the Student Mental Health Committee with my peers. We plan to create a survey to find out the mental health issues affecting our school and the changes students want to see. We will then create an action plan based on the results. This is important because 20% of Canadians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime (Canadian Mental Health Association). Many students feel stressed about school and that should change. Mental health is just as important as physical health.
Stay up to date with my action plan by following @tlssglblhealth on twitter and tracking the hashtag #tlssglobalgoals as well as checking this blog.

Sarah and Kim Global Goal

Do wake up to go to school every morning? Does your school provide you with supplies to help you learn? Have you ever been so hungry you couldn't focus on your school work?  Are you provided with free education?

Unfortunately, millions of children around the world are not as fortunate as Canadian students. Instead of waking up to go to school, they wake up to go to work in order to support their families by providing them with water (sometimes having to walk miles for a source) and food. This issue is an obstacle for several families living in poverty. However, when these needs are met, sometimes children are still unable to attend school because they're hungry or they do not have the money. As a result, they do no receive something vital to their development and future, education.

As students who live in a country where education is not only received, but is also free, we do not recognize how advantageous and lucky we are. In our lives, it is something we are used to, but in the lives of children in other countries, it is a gift. Therefore, education should not be limited to the privileged, it should be a right. It is something everyone should receive because it is what will define the future of the current generation.

Education, is one of the 17 global goals listed on www.globalgoals.org and Kim and I (Sarah) are planning a fundraiser that will fund the construction of schools in third world countries. The plan is to organize a colour-run-like event. At the moment, we are currently working on writing letters to sponsors (local stores) to donate food as well as supplies to help run the event. The plan is to invite the feeder schools and potentially go to schools to give presentations about the event (hopefully for May 18th). The money raised will be going to a non-profit organization called Caring Partners Global that funds health care, education, agriculture, and life skills in a remote area in Kenya. Unlike other organizations, there are no marketing or administration costs and every single penny will be donated to these communities. As a result, we would not only be raising money that will be invested in the education of these students, but we will be investing in the future of these esteemed students and children.

We will keep updating as more details begin to follow!

Global goal 15. Life on land. This encompasses deforestation poaching and sustainable ecosystems. There are many groups dedicated to achieving these goals. Including the SPCA P.E.T.A, W.W,F and the government of Canada. Each nonprofit group has a multitude  of opportunities to help  the environment by sending money and volunteering. Below is a link to the global goal site where it lists all of their sustainability goals connected to this topic.
 http://www.globalgoals.org/global-goals/life-on-land/

TLSS Povery Awareness

Did you know that 1 in 7 Canadians live in conditions of poverty? This means these people can not or have difficulty affording basic products for health such as sanitary pads for women, oral hygiene products, food, etc.. Our group is focusing on supporting the first global goal, which is to end poverty by making ‘care packages’. These packages will contain products such as a toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, body wash, and shaving cream. We are planning on distributing them to shelters in Orillia and Toronto. We currently have eleven of these care packages, which were donated to us. In order to raise money to make more packages, we are working with two other groups in our class to organize a fundraiser. We are planning to organize a ‘Teacher Bake-off’, which is a competition between departments. We are inviting the teachers at our school in each department to bring in baked goods and sell them, the department who raises the most money will get their department name put on a plaque. Along with this we are planning to sell baked goods and popcorn at a concert fundraiser, which will be run by Jam for Hunger. The money raised by the Teacher Bake Sale and the bake sale at the concert will be split between our group and the TLSSWellBeing group. We’re still at the beginning of our process, there are more fundraising ideas to come.

TLSS Good Health and Well Being

Hello, this blog and our twitter account @TlssWellBeing will be used to update you on our progress to achieve our Global Goal Initiative. Our goal is to bring good health and well being to Sick Kids Hospital, we are planning a craft day to give the kids positive mindset. Today our group discussed our plans on how to make our global goal go globally and figure out how to involve countries around the world. We discussed our idea about a teacher bake off sale to fundraise money to help us create a craft day for Sick Kids Hospital and make them bracelets. Our group also emailed Sick Kids Hospital to discuss when we will be able to hold the event and if they will support us.

GeoNews of the Day: A Better Tomorrow

A Better Tomorrow

A local teenager named Weam Ibrahim from Nova Scotia recently took the initiative to send a letter out to the staff and administers of Halifax West High School following the Quebec Mosque shooting, regarding the sensitive topic of racism. Like many, the shooting came as a shock to her and one that was “too close to home”. An issue like the shooting does not occur very often, especially in Canada.

The letter addressed the importance of open discussion and requested that the teachers took five minutes out of their day to discuss with their class the importance of racism. She emphasized in her letter how open discussion will help students achieve essential skills needed in their future careers such as respect and open-mindedness. The impact Weam has made on her school will certainly last as students speak about the issues as well as listen to the perspectives of individuals who have specifically been victims of racism.

 

  

Although it may not be the most popular topic of conversation, racism is one that must be discussed and by sending this letter, Weam is not only helping raise awareness of the issue to her peers, but she is also raising awareness of an issue that does not “affect many of the teachers directly”.

  

Weam’s ultimate goal of raising awareness will provoke her peers to respect different cultures and treat them as equals, allowing other people to be more open-minded. By creating students who excel in these areas, they will be accepting and respectful in the workplace, ultimately creating “global citizens” who strive to make the world a better place.