Rock for Restavek - June 11, 2009
High School Students Raise Awareness in Unconventional Way
Sophie Lawson, Laura Posada and Mary Spahr were assigned the same project: The Senior Search. It's an independent study / learning experience designed for seniors at The Summit Country Day High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. Students are required to create a four-week project that broadens their perspective or focuses on the development of an interest or skill and caps off their high school days.
Jean-Robert Cadet spoke at the high school earlier in the year and an AP Human Geography class had focused on the issue of human trafficking. The students knew that they wanted to do something to help his foundation and then they found the perfect idea. Their friend Bart Van der Zee had a band, Audiologic, with a steady following in the area. All they needed to do was find a few more bands, a location and Rock for Restavek was born.
Jean-Robert addressed the crowd of over 300 students before the music got under way. He was followed by six young, local Cincinnati bands - AudioLogic, The Upset Victory, Little Thousand, Sid and Nancy, AP & Kill Bill and Direct Route. The concert was free, but donations were collected. At the end of the night, the free concert raised over $450, all from students.
It was an unconventional Senior Search and an unconventional way to raise awareness about child slavery among students. It's a hard topic to engage in, because it's so emotionally draining, especially when talking about children. But for students, they approach it from a different angle, realizing that the restavek kids are kids just like them and deserve the same freedoms. So they fight for each other and they do it in the best ways they know how.
If you're a student, an educator or a parent and want to create your own fundraising drive or event for The Restavek Foundation, learn more here.