FeedbackSee what others have said about the project, from the David Suzuki Foundation to program participants:
"We support the work of the Otesha Project and feel that this organization provides today's youth with great role models who have already taken action toward creating a sustainable future."
"This (program) really shows you that everything you do has an impact on the world and it makes you want to do what you can to change that."
"We go through life with so many blinders on, OTESHA helps us to see those blinders and helps us become more aware. The presentation made us think of the consequences of our actions and what we can do to improve the sustainability of the Earth."
"This was one of the most pure, honest workshops I have ever attended. It was inspirational and uplifting. If everyone in the world thought the way you guys do, we'd be living in the Garden of Eden."
"This was a great workshop, it had a big impact on me. I learned a lot, and there is many ways that people can help out but don't, so it is great that there is a program like Otesha out there, so many people can get more involved and help out our environment and make a difference in our world. Thank you for this inspiring talk." "i think what u r doing is just ...Great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! please come to my school!!" Meredith Nelson, age 9
"I was lucky enough to be present as the two people came to talk to our class about the Otesha Project and inspiring youth to stand up and have a say. The results were very eye-opening and made me think twice about how I live my life. It was motivating to feel a sense of power as a youth and to stand up for what should be changed. I personally believe that every youth should be given the opportunity to listen to these presentations to understand the role they play in the world."
"Id like to say thank you for coming to our school to talk to us. the presentation was something i needed to see right now in my life. sort of proof that i don't have to live my life like everyone else"
"Thanks once again for your wonderful presentation yesterday. You really showed us that not only your project was amazing, but that yourself are amazing people!"
"I believe in you guys. You can help to open up the closed doors behind the children's eyes. You are amazing."
"I think so many of us who have traveled to exploited yet deep spirited parts of the world come away with a real intense sense that we must NOT forget, and must honor our experience(and those who shared their lives with us) with more than just a cute photo album. How wonderful for youth out there to feel validated in using their profound voice, and for speaking truth to power by living their lives in a respectful, informed, empowered manner. Yahoo! beeg phat luck in this adventure( courage is faith in action, after all!), and thank you for reminding me how sooooooooo) much I need to keep squishing any wiffs of apathy, stagnance, or North American arrogance in my own blessed new role as a mother.Yegads!"
"It's people like you who are changing the world."
"Right now i'm in Dar es Salaam, and i'm very excited that you could take what you learned from the situation here and turn it into something positive."
"I'm inspired to see such a motivated group of young people working to make the world a better place."
"It's like music to the ears and fuels my drive to bust out of complacency.. right now I'm doing a little dance round the public library cuz i found this promising project."
"For as long as I can remember I have been disillusioned with the way the authoritative institutions of our society handle global issues. Many times it has led me to sadness, apathy and a feeling of helplessness. And while I have often felt powerless in the face of corporate power and environmental indifference, I have myself never felt indifferent. Looking at your web-site has really swelled up a lot of emotion in me, and I want to become a part of this dream."
"I think your approach to effecting positive social and environmental change addresses an element commonly overlooked in such efforts ¿ culture... people often lack the knowledge to challenge what they are led to believe. Little do they know, their actions are quite often quite contradictory to their own values. People want a healthy environment. People want to see an end to social and political strife. A truly well informed individual comprehends the link between his or her actions and their global impacts and cannot help but change his or her habits. I see the Otesha Project as an effort to transform Canadian mainstream by writing this knowledge into our collective culture through direct education of the nation's youth. To complement the message we travel sustainably across the country, but also symbolically. If we defy the notion that a powerful vehicle is needed to cross Canada, can we not also defy the notion that powerful politics are needed to influence the world? It all starts with the power to move oneself, which is inherently present in all of us."
"I have never been as inspired and excited by reading an email as I was when I got this one, and like any sane and intelligent person (at least in my opinion), would absolutely love to help this project"
"I collect garbage in the hopes that I will be able to find a use for it. My window is jam packed with delicious plants. I thrill at seeing how long I can stretch a tube of toothpaste, a bar of soap. I commute by bicycle. I use both sides of the page. I read books at the library until my eyes go buggy. I car pool. I'd go on, but I won't. Simply, I'm very interested in your plight."
"Ever since returning from Kenya this winter I was struck by the materialism and consumptive behavior in our society. It was such a sharp contrast to the way we were seeing people live their lives there. Yet the people there, at some fundamental level, were very rich in ways that we North Americans are poor. They had a strong sense of community and a happy, welcoming attitude to us as visitors despite what many of us saw as dire conditions they were living in. Here we are in North America with all the material wealth a people could hope for, yet most don't have the time to give each other for a smile or a helping hand. I see the Otesha project as an opportunity to take action on something I believe strongly in, through the education of young people but even more so, helping them to implement ways, no matter how small, of moving towards these goals."
" I am SO PROUD OF YOU! This is unbelievable!!! I really want to get on board, I'm shaking I'm so excited right now! I just wanted to let you know that I think (yes, again) that you are AMAZING - and if anyone is going to change the world, it's certainly going to be you my dear!"
"I am so excited for you guys to have chosen this wicked path of passing on knowledge, dreams, hopes and sending a smile out to the world."
"Many people have goals and perspectives that are a bit disheartening for me, so it's nice to know that I'm not alone in aspiring for a sustainable world where people are hopeful and not driven entirely by advertising and market forces, and where children (and people in general) have access to the things they need and overconsumptive practices are greatly lessened/erased."
"Otesha... That is beautiful."
"The world obviously has many problems, but nights such as tonight keep me hopeful that there is more right than wrong with the world, and that things have a chance of getting better. Getting this stuff out into discussion is the first step, and you seem well prepared and equipped to make the world aware."
"I think this is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen! I almost cried when I saw your pictures and write ups, and I felt so very lucky to have been rolling in the grass with you as the sparks were flying and your heads were filling with such extraordinary ideas. You're on your way to save the world! Sustainable Superheroes!"
"I love you guys!! you are an inspiration to all creatures that you contact"
"Wow. I am moved ,overwhelmed and stimulated. I will be helping you." |
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