Third World Awareness

     Third World Awareness brings young people to developing nations for direct contact and learning with and from the poor. These trips originated from the work of John Calaghan, a drama teacher at Brother Edmond Rice S.S. in Toronto.

     In 1991 he began taking high school students down to Kingston, Jamaica to work in the ghettos during the March Break. These trips continued with increasing popularity with young people craving the challenge and having the desire to learn first hand what life is like in third world conditions.

     They have now visited Haiti for the last two years. After his retirement in 1998 several former students asked John to keep the trips going and since have formed the group Third World Awareness which is now a registered charity. TWA has always adhered to a non-denominational philosophy. The group is comprised of Christians, Muslims, non-religious etc. No young person with a true desire is refused. The group works in several sites such as hospitals, homes for the sick and dying, schools etc. Each person decides where he or she wishes to work for the duration of the trip and is asked to then make a commitment to that place for the duration of the trip.

     International performer and physical theatre instructor Stephen La Frenie has teamed up with Third World Awareness to offer your students a unique and dynamic way to learn mime and physical theatre while reaching out to help fellow students in Developing Nations.

     In exchange for the fundraising efforts of your students Stephen will come and teach one or more workshops of your choice for your school.   All proceeds go to Third World Awareness, a Canadian charity that brings young people to developing nations to perform volunteer work in poor communities.

 You can help 

     The group brings donations of clothing, medical supplies, school materials etc. We also arrange scholarships for students and support community projects. This year in Haiti the group is working on building a kitchen facility and food program in a large ghetto called Cite Soleil in Port au Prince.

     Your students can fundraise through pizza sales, bake sales, variety night performances, parent and community donations etc. Any unique way they can think of to raise funds. Stephen La Frenie will come in ahead of time to talk with the students about the work of Third World Awareness and then return to teach the workshop. Charitable receipts will be issued for all money raised and all money will go toward the educational outreach program and the Cite Soliel project during the annual trip in May ’05. Students are also welcome to participate directly in the trip itself should they desire.

The workshops will be available throughout the Spring.

Third World Awareness official site.

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