Inspiring People: Part 1 - Meet The Kielburger

     WARNING: This post might be too long for non-readers (especially yong tamad magbasa) but, I can guarantee you it's worth the read once you've started, even a blink won't interrupt you from finishing...lol. Seriously, it is worth the read. Please give your eyes a chance to finish right down the last lines.     


     Like what I've promised in my previous post "People Who Inspire Me - The Concept", two people topped the list of those whom I draw inspiration from. These two brothers were extra-ordinary people yet living in humility. 


     Here a video of Craig doing online invites from people around Canada and the world to join in their cause in Free The Children.

     
     Introducing: Craig Kielburger & Marc Kielburger, Canadians, founded the "FREE THE CHILDREN" organization back in 1995. 

Craig @ 12

How Did I Know About Him (Them)?  
  
     How did I learn about them? It happened one hot afternoon of 2004 while I was browsing books for re-sale at BOOKSALE in SM Southmall (Las Pinas Branch). As I can remember, I was waiting for my relatives that afternoon but realized that they were still far from SM's vicinity. So I decided to stroll around and eventually ended up in BookSale store at the far north wing of the mall. 


     It is a normal routine for me whenever I visit malls to initially check out bookstores since I am a reader. While waiting, I busied myself browsing different books that might interest me. And so after series of scanning, I found this book "Free The Children". I was intrigued, so I opened and read the back portion (the synopsis) and I was just fascinated and captivated when I learned that the author of that book is a 12-year old boy named "Craig Kielburger" eventhough I'm still uncertain if his book was worth the read. Without a second thought, I immediately handed it over to the cashier to pay for a cheap price of P60.00 pesos. It's under re-sale that's why the price is way way inexpensive.

Craig @ 28 now

     So, let me give you a brief background of Craig Kielburger. He was born on December 17, 1982 in Thornhill, Ontario, Canada. He is Canadian. An activist for the rights of children. He is the co-founder of "Free The Children" - an international organization of development and youth empowerment helping children around the world & co-founder of "ME to WE". On February 20, 2007, he was named a member of the "Order of Canada" by the Governor General of Canada. 


     He attended Bishop Scalabrini Catholic School, in Thornill which is where he did a school project which eventually gave birth to Free The Children and was assigned by Mr. Fedrigoni of Bishop Scalabrini. He graduated with a degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, a double minor in Psychology and Politics from University of Toronto. In 2009, he completed his Executive MBA at Schulich School of Business at York University as the program's youngest ever graduate. For full biography and advocacy, please click this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Kielburger (credits goes to Wikipedia)


     Let's jump now to his older brother Marc Kielburger. 

Marc Kielburger - eldest & only brother of Craig

     Marc Kielbruger, CM, OMC, (born 1977) is a Canadian author, humanitarian and activist for children's rights. he is the co-founder of Free The Children, an international development and youth empowerment organization.


     Kielburger is also the co-founder and Director of Me to We. The goal of Me to We is to make ethical living become the norm while helping Free The Children achieve financila sustainability.


     After attending Brebeuf College School in Toronto, Kielburger graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard University, completing a degree in International Relations. He won a coveted Rhodes Scholarship and went on to complete a law degree at Oxford University with an emphasis on human rights law. He has also received two honorary doctorates for his work in the field of education and human rights.


     He is the co-author of national best sellers Take Action! A Guide to Active Citizenship, Take More Action and most recently, the New York Times Best Seller Me to We: Finding Meaning in a Material World. For full biography and advocacy, please click this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_Kielburger (credits goes to Wikipedia)

What inspired me about them?

Talking of inspiration, there are lots of people that thrilled me in this aspect. Definitely, I need at least one notebook or one pad of paper to list them. But I'll be both objective and subjective to them, These brothers inspired me in so many ways than one. As someone who is so inclined in social work, I really admired them for their efforts in helping children around the world. Which is why it triggered me more to be closely involved in various organizations that focuses on under privileged children's literacy and education.

Currently, I have been involved in two separate organizations in the Philippines. One is, Silid Aralan Inc. (www.silidaralan.inc) spearheaded by a good friend of mine Arcie G. Mallari. and the other one is Kasimanwa Ko Association (www.kasimanwako.com) - a hometown social organization being run and co-founded by a great friend of mine Erwin R. Relox

Marc & Craig

     It's just so amazing to get to know these people and be influenced by their works and how they live their lives. By the way, I'll brag on this though it's just a petty thing, but it matters to me. When my dear friend Arcie Mallari went to Canada for further studies, he got this chance to meet-up with my idol Craig in one of the events there. As I prodded him to say hi to Craig for me, he made my request realized. He was able to exchanged few words to Craig and say hi for me. That's awesome right? Being mentioned in a conversation by your idol in a very rare occasion is like epic to me. I can't ask for more. And it happened just this year. I guess it was June or July ( I can't just be sure, but definitely within those moths frame).

     This book below is the reason why my enthusiasm to work with the needy has escalated more than I dreamed of. 

The Book

     So, basically, these are two of the Top 10 list of "Inspiring People" I'll be featuring in my blogs. Can't wait for the next one? Just sit back, relax, and wait for the my second entry on this. I just hope that through this writing, you'll be inspired and also start your social work too by getting involved to one of the many organizations with the same advocacy. 

     Let us be movers and shakers and do not stay idle to our comfort zone. Let us go for high adventure of living a life that is inclined to our purpose. And let us always be a person to others.