DemoCrew...again

hi everyone,

this last 4 days is the last batch of DemoCrew students for the summer. i've found this group to be the most eager and open group of the three.

Bottle Picking
as with previous groups, they were split into teams of 5-6 and were asked to hit the streets collecting $2.50 worth of bottles and cans. the highest amount this time was about $8 i think...or something like that. but the debrief part was excellent. many students had lots to say about their experiences. one group encountered a couple who reamed them out saying "you don't even respect us bottle pickers! get out of here!" i wanted to spend more time on that concept of "respect" for bottle pickers. the students really seemed to have their eyes opened as each one shared about how bottle pickers are hard workers, and how we can help make a difference. instead of taking our bottles to the bottle depot, we can bring them to The SEED, or a place like it, and bottle pickers can benefit from that. most of them actually really do use the money for food. not to mention that a large majority of bottle pickers are in that job because they are unemployable due to a mental illness, or something like epilepsy, or they are immigrants because they can't integrate into the north american culture. whatever the reason is...it's usually because society has deemed them inadequate for working despite their potential capabilities. i think it was also really eye-opening to realize that the start of each day presented bottle pickers with 2 options...you might only make $5 today...or, you might luck out and make $25 a day...either way, your ability to collect is dependent on those who decide to help.

Hunger Banquet
having had about 36 students and group leaders, this was the largest Hunger Banquet we had...and of course, to contrast, they had the least amount of rice for our "under privileged" group. after we all ate, we debriefed about why were doing this and why inequality exists in the world. it was moving to hear the students say "there's inequality in the world because people are selfish....i'm selfish, and we don't help people that clearly need help." we talked about the world's definition of "success" and how that's skewed our ability to look at the poverty which is around the world, if not in our own backyard. and finally, the group also hit a realization point that although this is the way the world is, they don't have to be like that. everyday can be a day where we make a decision NOT to buy something we don't need, and instead, invest it into something or someone who might need it more.

the students shared lots, and i pray that they have learned lots in the past 4 days here at The SEED. it's been a huge privilege to be able to help with such a project. i know i've grown as a result.

In other news... last summer i was an extra for a movie that was filmed in BC. and i saw the movie poster for it last nite at Silvercity here in Calgary! it looks like a really dumb movie, but i wanna see if i can see myself! there are scenes where he jumps by buses...i was there!



much love,
dL