I just created a group on facebook dedicated to the MDG: Eradicate Poverty and Hunger. Hopefully this group will bring awareness to all my friends and their friend's friends. The more people who join and participate, the more people ecome aware that students like us CARE. Kevin emailed me a great idea we could do and hopefully get this group more active. I really hope i have the same energy and excitement i have now throughout the next months or so. The people who participate the more events we can arrange and upload pictures to show how involved and dedicated we are towards this topic. I dont know how Mr Toth and other teachers will be able to see the group since i cant add them on facebook. Thats probably the only drawback. Oh yeaa, I also had the idea of submitting an article on a teen newspaper I was reading when I got home. I guess i have a lot of typing to do which I better get started. I also should work on submitting my MDG proposal to Mr. Toth.

Creating the group was encouraged by fellow student and supportive best friend Daryl Jane.

Im at the library again working on the MDG project. After the long lecture from Mr. Toth I feel so pressured to do this project. I guess I would just have to try focusing on helping the poor than getting a good grade. Ill see where that takes me. Ive raised 75 dollars so far for my famine fundraiser, however, the money alone is not enough to create a long term change. Somehow, I need to get the message across that will bring change within the hearts of people. I need them to care. I just dont know how to do it yet. I have to see Ms Ponce which I havent had the time to do yet. I havent checked yet if she has responded my email. I have to start working on my email to ellen and the prime minister. Im also thinking of making tumblr about a page devoted to people in poverty. SIGH :(

Im currently just waiting for Ms. Ponce to reply to my email on information of the validity of World Vision and where my money for the fundraiser will be used on. I was also inspired by my friend Daryl Jane to send an email to Ellen DeGeneres about my concerns on the MDG and hopefully raise awareness in her talk show. I have also been inspired to collect unused clothes I can donate to the poor. I just need to see if there are any organizations that will collect them and donate them to the poor around the world. Also, as I got to Curch today I will try to raise money.

It's a Friday, so we are working on our MDG's in the library. I have decided to read the book World Issues: Poverty by Kaye Stearman. It is an easy to read book with vivid pictures and situations to help me visualize what it means to be poor. I'm pretty sure I can use this book since I took it from the library cart. If not I will use Stephen Lewis' book Race Against Time as my back up or a book to use along side with the one I am reading now. I have also found out that I can not be able to use my position in the youth to educate the little children there about poverty. Maybe I can ask the youth's help with assisstance in my fundraising. I have decided to try to raise 500 dollars to World Vision. I am currently doing the Famine Fundraiser as my first donation option. World Vision is a great organization that uses about 82 % of its profits to programs. It is also well respected and approved of by Ms. Ponce, an activist in this school or a saint by other people's standards. I am going to research more about World Vision. I'm also kind of glad to be sort of working on this alone. I know some people have decided to group up which is tempting however I can learn to be independent. This doesn't mean I won't seek the assisstance from others though.

Me : Did you know that later on the century, China and India will industrialize and become Superpowers like Japan or the United states?

Daddy : Ano ?

Me : Their industrialization process is rapidly increasing especially with the majority of the world’s population inhabited there. Their lusts for oil and new technologies have pushed them further into a new era of wealth and world domination. The only thing stopping them? Global warming.

Daddy : Kaya pala ang tito Edward mo may trabaho sa China, kasi maraming pera sila .

Me : & the United States proposed a cut in greenhouse gas emissions through a global simulation. Most powers and western countries have agreed except for China. The United States even offered to fund China for their future economic loss due to cuts in gas emissions, and China still refused the proposal. & during class, this kid said, “by the time China industrializes, it is already the end of the world.”

Daddy : `Di papayag ang China, they care too much about their economy.

Me : Nakakainis talaga ang China, napaka greedy, but it is kind of unfair because western countries were permitted to industrialize in the past when now, China and India are not allowed. Now, the world is going to just collapse or explode .

Mom : Hindi. Have faith in God (:

Me : I do I do, but I just think it’s better to act now than leave everything for later.

Mom : No. Let tomorrow fix tomrrow’s problem.

-- I was speechless (davastated) for a moment that such an answer would come out of her .

Me : I just don’t want our next generations, my children, YOUR grandchildren, to suffer from our mistakes.

As of now, we all know how valuable Alberta is becoming because of its tar sands which will possibly be the next generation to power our fuel eating economy. But why should it be valuable? Do we not have the technology to produce cleaner products?
The process to extract this oil is very costly and damaging. A great portion of Canada's forest will be destroyed and replaced with pipes and structures. Even with this economic boom, ironically Canadians aren't becoming rich off their soil. It is the companies and investors who benefit the most. Canada should not only address its people but the wildlife inhabiting Canadian soil, way before we immigrants decided to make a home out of this land.
With the ongoing climate change controversy, our Canadian government and its global clients should be wise enough to say "NO TO TAR SANDS!!".

` They must be examined against the target which Tony Blair himself embraces – the target of 0.7 percent. Canadian audiences surely recognize that it was our own Lester Pearson, in 1969, after serving as prime minister, who negotiated with other western governments the benchmark of 0.7 percent of GNP as the legitimate level of foreign aid for all industrial countries. With embarrassing irony, it needs be said that not a single one of the G7 countries has ever come close to the target, Canada included. Five countries have reached or surpassed it: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Holland, and Luxembourg. It can legitimately be asked, why these countries, with lesser economies, and not the rich countries, with buoyant economies? `

- Stephen Lewis

I am ashamed of being a Canadian . I am ashamed that I cannot do anything about this inhumane catastrophe that has got children limping just to pay off the debts of their country . The world is very much aware of this poverty cycle .. and yet we are not even near in succeeding the eight goals of the MDG .

` They must be examined against the target which Tony Blair himself embraces – the target of 0.7 percent. Canadian audiences surely recognize that it was our own Lester Pearson, in 1969, after serving as prime minister, who negotiated with other western governments the benchmark of 0.7 percent of GNP as the legitimate level of foreign aid for all industrial countries. With embarrassing irony, it needs be said that not a single one of the G7 countries has ever come close to the target, Canada included. Five countries have reached or surpassed it: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Holland, and Luxembourg. It can legitimately be asked, why these countries, with lesser economies, and not the rich countries, with buoyant economies? `

- Stephen Lewis

I am ashamed of being a Canadian . I am ashamed that I cannot do anything about this inhumane catastrophe that has got children limping just to pay off the debts of their country . The world is very much aware of this poverty cycle .. and yet we are not even near in succeeding the eight goals of the MDG .

hmmm .. I'm just wondering , if Spending & Consuming less help decrease greenhouse emissions, etc. then what do we do with the goods if they are not bought or used ? wouldn't that be just another wasteful thing to do too ?

This is my first blog post, so pleaase pardon my blogging styles & skills (=

I am a student at Father Lacombe highschool in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I am sixteen years old & i am very passionate about dance, science, & math. I also love to sing !

I am a member of the Social Justice Club in Father Lacombe and it has definitely been a great oppurtunity working with others for a good cause.

This is my first blog post, so pleaase pardon my blogging styles & skills (=

I am a student at Father Lacombe highschool in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I am sixteen years old & i am very passionate about dance, science, & math. I also love to sing !

I am a member of the Social Justice Club in Father Lacombe and it has definitely been a great oppurtunity working with others for a good cause.

Just when i planned my life out hoping to do this and that to enjoy life, my generation and I are burdened to fix this messed up world. Oh joy !

Hey, it's me Gabriel. Today I've asked some of my friends and classmates to view my blog. So far, I've got positive feedback on my work besides the usual typo here and there. Even the sub viewed it and said it was nice. And my classmates an friends said it was great. Anyhow, enough about me. I have here another poem written by me and hope you guys find it interesting. This by the way is my third submission so enjoy.



Little Butterfly

Butterfly fly, fly, fly away!
Said the little child in gray.
Fluttering its wings as though it would soar,
Reaching far in to the heavens for the angels to adore.

But the little butterfly is stranded,
Shackled to the ground.
In all its awe and splendour,
T'was confined in its makeshift pound.

The wind, the rain, the storms
Did all in their might to hamper the flight.
Of a hope that will endure forever,
truly they did, in every form of a blight.

But indeed fortune favoured the bold,
Daring was the butterfly.
It tried with all its might,
To escape bondage and take flight.

Neither effort nor strength proved true,
For the little butterfly now knew.
Lady Luck then showered smile.
In the form of a girl whose heart was blue.

Impoverished in body,
Yet affluent in her soul.
Even dressed in the gray of paupers,
Never was heart her heart with a hole.

Compassion moving the girl,
She acted freely and with tought.
Casting away the shackles,
Freedom is now at grasp, for long t'was sought.

Now little butterfly, fly away!
Flutter thy wings and live for today!
Tomorrow may yet be away,
But let fate cross our paths someday.

What's up guys? It's me Gabriel, again, coming to you live from the comfort of my soon-to-be-cleaned-if-I'm-not-too-lazy bedroom. Now since S.O.L. has debuted and lasted for a day( YEAH!), we shall celebrate a day-versary! That's right folks, I'm going to give you today something that will enlighten your spirits and hopefully not give you a dumbfounded look due to extreme awesomeness. Anyways, I present to you today a short story, so seat down, relax and enjoy.

Gabriel Gana




Moonlit Sky

A dark sky fills the night as the Sun leaves its throne in the heavens. What fills his seat is the Moon herself. Reigning over the heavens with her court of stars. And if one may chance upon a night of nights where the sky is absent of clouds, one may fully gaze on Queen Moon's vibrant aura, courtesy of the Sun himself. And in this night of night's, by fate, a couple was passing by. But tonight they were not a couple. Au contraire, they were seperated by the thickets and trees that fill the woods.

"My love, were forth might thy be?" echoed the man's voice across the forest.

"Dearst lover, where forth art thou o sweet?"cried the woman's voice.

Seeing that their efforts were futile, they decided to catch their breaths. Looking towards the heavens, they see the Moon in her full glory. And t'was decided that she be their guide to each other.

So at once the man and woman set forth, with each, only their last ounce of strength. They followed Queen Moon until they stumbled upon the shores of a beatiful lake.

In the lake's waters was the Moon's reflection herself. Such radiance illuminated the dark lake, giving it an eerie yet welcoming glow. At the far ends of the lake, the two lovers stood motionless. Captivated by the reflection, they slowly looked up. But as they looked up, the man and woman saw each other. Gazing at each other, the lovers both ran by the lakeshore and into each others arms.

In passionate embrace, the man cried forth,"See my love, such a great lake could not keep us apart! Behold the true power of our love!"

"But what of our families? Is it not they who have tried to keep us apart? What of them, my love, what of them?"

"Hush my sweet, tonight we think not of such petty worries. We will enjoy our freedom even if it is just for a night"

Sparks flew that night, I tell you so. Queen Moon, watching in her heavenly abode, saw the seed of love grow in the hearts of two lover. T'was their destiny to be intertwined in a union of love and compassion. Indeed, the sight was to behold. It was just one of those nights that gave Queen Moon such a delight in doing her eternal duty. With her court of countless stars, she blessed the couple. Stars fell down to bestow upon the couple many a blessing and gift.

The couple was indeed truly happy in each others arms. Surely not a woe or a worry crossed their minds. The future was not their, nor was the past. What was present is now. And to them it was all that mattered. Time passed and the couple lived a beautiful life, if not absent of problems, and lived and left together. Til this day as we speak, they still meet at the shores of the lake and wander the woods.

And in any given night, if one may stumble upon the full radiance of the moonlit sky, one may remember this tale. But in order to truly comprehend such a tale of love, remember that it takes two halves to make a whole. So in the even that you may stumble upon the naked glory of the Moon, remeber that these wandering spirits will unite you with your true significant other.

So what's up? To those who know not of my name, I'm Gabriel Gana. And here I am doing my first entry in my first attempt at a blog. Now I know everyone gonna heckle me for being new here, but I've got a lot of stuff going on so I was busy. Anyway, I'm here to tell you about stuff. Hence my blog's title S.O.L. or Shout Out Loud.
A little background info about the title was that, back in Grade 9 when my social teacher, Mr. Goodwin decided to give us an assignment of making a newspaper frontpage with a headline of the Spanish conquistadors conquering the Aztecs. So as I was finishing the newspaper, I came up with the title and yada yada yada.( I'm not sure if I worked alone, but hey, people forget sometimes so cut me some slack!)

Today, I'll be posting a poem. The embodiment of S.O.L. is that it expresses world issues by any means of expression.( Well in anything that can be submitted to the Internet and Blog, but let's put the technicalities aside shall we.)



The Dreamer

I look around today.
And what do I see?
I see people everywhere.
They who feel sorrow or glee.

Under the sun, above the ground,
Scattered across the vast space called Earth.
People who work, people who play.
Striving to live on day by day.

I see the smiles of people,
Living in a world were peace is present.
Strife, hunger, poverty, war, and chaos are absent.
So in riding of all ills, we eliminate resent.

But a vision of a better tomorrow is what I see.
Who can I blame if I am called a dreamer?
To be the greatest dreamer, so shall I be.
If in the end, t'was my destiny.

And a dreamer, so shall I be.
If it is for my fellow friend I shall be.
If it is for my fellow living creature, I shall be.
And if it is truly for the greater good, I say to that
I shall be.

To be a dreamer is not just to dream.
It is no just to speculate on fantasy,
and blurring it's line with reality.
I say that a dreamer is not what it seems to be.

This I proclaim, to every heart that feels.
Be dreamer, that dreams of a better day.
To be of service to every brother and sister.
To be the one, to hold true till the end.

And, by the goodness of God, we be dreamers.
A testament of our will to do good to all.
And if one day we stray from our course.
we rise again and again in each and every fall.


And so ends my blog for now. I bid all of you with something to pondered. I leave all of you with a line from a song that is very awesome and at the same time makes you think as well. It is by the late Francis Magalona who performed it the still present Pinoy rock band Parokya ni Edgar. "Every colour and every hue. Is represented by me and you. Take a slide in the slope, take a look at the kaleidoscope. Spinnin' round, make it twirl. In this kaleidoscoe world."

Gabriel Gana