This short video was made by Inara Turner, one of the amazing members of our Kids to Kids Project.
So proud of your video, Inara!  Keep it up - we love hearing stories from your farm!

In December 2013, Arzeena Hamir, Neil Turner and their daughters Amina and Inara will travel to India to visit our projects and connects with kids and families in Assam.  In early 2014, Kirsten Bradley, her husband Kris Johnson and their sons Olie and Finn, will also visit Assam.  Stay tuned for pictures and stories about their exciting adventures!

On Saturday, February 9, 2013, Kids to Kids members took part in a youth conference put on by BC Council for International Cooperation.  This youth to youth event brings young global minds together to collectively explore social responsibility, the new ways in which we all, as global citizens, impact the world with locally based actions, and what role social media and mobile play in bridging the space that previously lessened the ripple effects of small initiatives.

Gabrielle Guay says, "I got inspiration from the other groups ideas on raising awareness and fundraising.  I also like the way this event brought our group together.  I learned more about the value of sharing my ideas as i could see how others doing the same was a huge benefit ...locally and globally. The small group also made me more comfortable in expressing myself. Thanks Kareen - it was a huge success."

Onyx Vaughan Ogilvie says, "The IDW 2013 certainly increased the awareness of our group with other people and it also brought our group closer together.  I was anxious as I walked up to take part in the panel discussion but that anxiety soon became an exciting feeling as I realized how many people would now know about the K2K project.  It turned into a a comforting feeling because this was a huge leap for the k2k.  And I also learned so much about the other youth groups and within that new possibilities for our group.  Thank you for hosting this event and recognizing the K2K project."  

Emily Kelly says, "Thank you so much for inviting us to  'the hive' to show all the amazing work we and other people have done, and all the work we put in for this to happen!  I think going there has really brought our group, Kids To Kids closer.   We have wanted to make more out of this group and by doing that learning about other citizens in  this World, we have!
On our way home from the ferry, we  talked to one of Sarah's friends who seemed so interested  in our work and when she complemented on all our good and hard work, I felt very proud of what  I/we do, helping the people in India.  But now that I think about it, I heard you have been a big help in this project so I just would  like to say a big THANK YOU for all the  work you have done to help this project."

LeighAnn says, "The IDW provided many gifts for the Kids To Kids Project.  We all found this event inspiring, motivating and encouraging.  The kids in our group truly blossomed and coagulated because of taking part in this event. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to reach a new level within our organization.  We gained a deeper understanding of the power grassroots operations like ours have in creating the change we want to see in the world.  The networking and brainstorming with other groups was very powerful and nourishing. We now see new possibilities.  Thank you so very much."

Regards, Gabrielle, Emily, Onyx, and LeighAnn

– The Kids to Kids (K2K) Project, an initiative of four Comox Valley children that connects youth in Assam, India and youth on the Canadian West Coast around sustainable environmental practices, is being recognized by the BC Council for International Cooperation (BCCIC) for their outstanding leadership and collaboration on local-global issues.  This recognition is part of the 23rd International Development Week (IDW), February 3rd to 9th, a national initiative of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), celebrating Canadians making a difference on global issues.   

Established in 2009 and inspired by the work of local non-profit organization Fertile Ground: East/West Sustainability Network, the K2K Project has created learning and support between children in BC and in India on issues that affect their communities.  In March 2011, one of the young founders, Onyx Vaughan Ogilvie, and his mother, Fertile Ground board member LeighAnn Vaughan, traveled to Assam to meet some of the kids and their families.  They shared stories and photos about their lives and efforts to improve agricultural practices, while building connections and communications between the children in Assam and those in the Comox Valley.

Since then, the K2K Project has made direct connections of youth in BC with youth in India through ongoing exchanges of photos, stories, and art.    Fundraising efforts of the BC youth have also brought many smiles to the kids’ faces on both sides of the world.  “You have to be the change you want to see in the world,” says Ogilvie, quoting Ghandi’s adage, “I think Kids to Kids is getting… up on to that road.”

The BC Council for International Cooperation (BCCIC) is profiling the Kids to Kids Project on its website, bccic.ca, from February 1st to 14th as part of its International Development Week (IDW) celebrations.  Kids to Kids members will also be part of a youth panel at “Local 2 Global: We Are Making a Difference”, a multimedia youth symposium in Vancouver on February 9th examining social responsibility and the role of social media and technology, presented by BCCIC and Gen Why Media.

A promo video was done to showcase our activties and founding members,  please take a look. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ4TsZ62m84&feature=share&list=UUNa5uY7BU8TCcI4QhJJuGHw


 

The Kids to Kids Project was selected to be among the three youth groups highlighted during the upcoming year's International Development Week (IDW) campaign.The BC Council for International Cooperation (BCCIC) is highlighting the Kids To Kids Project as they celebrate the inspiring efforts of BC youth working collaboratively to make a difference on local-global issues for International Development Week 2013.  

The Kids To Kids Project was chosen from across the province to celebrate and participate in the IDW youth global citizen workshop in Vancouver on February 9th, 2013.  For over 20 years, International Development Week (IDW) has celebrated Canadians’ involvement in international development and cooperation.  Extraordinary young people across the country are actively engaging in the fight for a more just and sustainable future for everyone.  Keep your eyes open for the K2K as they are highlighted in stories to local media and showcased in a short video, featured on BCCIC’s website and social media.  

The Kids To Kids Project would love to hear from kids anywhere in Canada who would like to join in. We have partners in Assam through schools and colleges - and are waiting for more input from this side of the world.

To read more about   International Development Week and The BC Council for International Cooperation (BCCIC) please visit http://bccic.ca/international-development-week

Fertile Ground's Kids to Kids program has received over 15 cameras.  
The outpouring of generosity has been greatly appreciated from our organizers here in Canada and in Assam.  

Peggy Carswell our lead volunteer for Fertile Ground has  arrived in Assam,  India and has started working with groups to distribute and use the donated cameras.  Peggy says "In one town there is a group of kids that  range in age from 5 to 15, are studying at English medium schools, and would LOVE to take part in our kids to kids program! The eldest - a 15 year old girl - has the support of her father and grandfather to learn how to use one of the cameras that has been brought with us so that she can collect images of life in that town- the market, schools, parks, families, etc."

This is great news as some of the youth from the Comox Valley do the same activity on this side of collecting images of their lives and home town.  This images will be to send to these and other youth in our Assam, Kids to Kids, partners.  

Kids to Kids mandate is to support and connect the younger generations around the planet to work for global sustainability and your generosity is helping to achieve that goal. 

This is a short video by Shaw TV about Fertile Ground's work in Assam - featuring Onyx and his mom!   They did a great job of giving viewers some information about our work here and in Assam, and that the video might inspire people to get involved in projects like ours that bring people from Canada and other parts of the world together.