Tuesday, January 27, 2009

That's my sister!

Teen inspired to raise money to stop slavery

Marcel Tetrault, Comox Valley Echo

Published: Tuesday, January 27, 2009

A Comox Valley teenager is using chocolate bars and bracelets to do her part to stop the scourge of slavery.

Samantha Millar, a 16-year-old Courtenay girl, sprung into action when, during a series of sermons on social justice at her church, she found out that there are an estimated 27 million people still in bondage across the globe.

"Basically for every person we see in Canada, that's somebody in slavery," said Millar. "That's impossible to imagine. I think that we've really lost respect for people and people have just become a product.

"It just kind of hit something in me. It just pulled at my heart -- I was really quite shocked. It made me angry enough that I wanted to do something about it."

So she enlisted the help of about 25 of her friends and began to manufacture hand-made beaded bracelets.

"A lot of my friends didn't even believe me when I told them (the statistics)," said Millar. "But they've been so supportive of my work. They've been great -- it's kind of become like a team thing."

Once the bracelets were ready Millar set up a booth at her church with information about some of the injustices that people in various parts of the world routinely suffer and began to sell them, not only earning money but also raising awareness.

"To me, it's a lot more important that people are aware of what is going on," she said. "It seems ridiculous to me that (the problems) are so huge and so many people aren't aware of it."

She soon had $300 that she donated to the International Justice Mission (IJM), a Washington, D.C.-based human rights agency that fights to secure justice for victims of violent oppression like slavery, rape and human trafficking.

And she is now working on her next project, selling Valentine's Day gift baskets containing chocolates, candies and, in each basket, the story of a different person who has been rescued from an oppressive circumstance.

By the end of this year, she plans to donate another $1,000 to IJM.

"Her heart is just to help people," said Millar's pastor, Northgate Foursquare Church's Scott Gaglardi.

"Here is a young person who is certainly not living selfishly, but living beyond herself. She is intentionally broadening her horizons and allowing her heart to be tugged with some of the painful issue of our world.

"It was really great to see her response -- she is a great young lady."

The Valentine's Day baskets are being sold by donation at each of the church's 6 p.m. Saturday services and 10 a.m. Sunday services until they are all gone. They are also available at the church office.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

birthday madness.

Last night/today was I had my birthday party. Marika, Mikayla, Mercedes, Mandy, Mackenzie, Laurel and Alexandra came over =) We watched a couple movies, teen girl squad, ate food, played the chocolate bar game..
I got some pictures (:]) a Roxy bag, Starbucks tumbler, a zwip (or whatever it's called) and $$ for Mehico. When it was time to open all those presents, I was scared.. BOY WAS I SCARED! Marika was just bubbly with excitement, which made me incredibly nervous.. When I opened it, I punched her in the leg. Would you like to know what it was? I'll tell you what it was..
A PAIR OF GRANNY PANTIES! haha. They were HUGE! hahhaa. We were able to uhh.. fit.. uhmm.. six girls... uhmm.. inside them. *cough*
It was hilarious, I must say.


I must be off.

TIIINES... TIIINES.. TIIINES!!!
♪♫

Monday, January 19, 2009

Ludicrous Louis.

In the fast past few days, I haven't blogged, but I have had my birthday! Yup. I tell you, it feels a world different being older. (I hope you can sense the sarcasm) For my birthday, I got the message Bible from Randy, a big bag from Sam, a jacket and white gold purity ring from my parents, and a box of chocolate from Levi =)

Today in school I did 9th grade math.. It was a cinch. Mr. Shuel rearranged us to have new partners. =) hahahah. Does everybody know my previous partner? Bhaahahha.
This time I was paired with a 9th grader.. I somehow understood the mathematics better than she.

I have exams coming up. I'm really not looking forward to my English exam. Blech.

It's dinner time dear followers.

Slovo.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Relax.. Take it easy.

Yeah.. I kinda haven't really blogged lately... life is busy. =)
SOOO.. This past weekend was the Thrive Youth Retreat at Homewood.. It was simply amazing. I was supposed to go sailing, but it was 'too windy'.
Wednesday was sweet parakeet. (haha, zandra.. gts.) I was super hyper and in my ninjetic ways, which, if you haven't heard, makes me insane. About a week or so ago, Mercedes unravelled the band from her sweat pants and left it in our locker.. It was my ninja head tie on Wednesday. =)

[wowie, wow.
Okay, I'm sorry. Today I had a math test, and I got every single question right (I know this because I checked it over..:P) except one. I was stressing so much over it, because every time I did it, I got the same answer. I handed in the test with the answer that I thought was wrong. I gave my nana the question and guess what? She got the same answer as me. I just talked to Merbs and she got the same answer as me. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD STRESS ABOUT IT ANYMORE!]

Back to Wednesday.. ninja... hyper... Right! I remember where I left off.
Wednesday night I found out GU was going to be super cheap because I don't have to pay for gas or the ferry. (yes) I'm heading down to Portland in February! I can't wait.
That's all..
JUST KIDDING. I also found out that I'm going to Mexico for spring break. =) I'm stinker stoked.

I'm kind of hyper and not in the blogging mood. Just letting you know that I'm still breathing.
hah.
Oh yeah.
Today was the amazing Clash Day at school. It was great. haha.

peace out.

..this was an irregular blog post.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

i'm at school. :P

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

not in the mood.

I haven't posted anything in a while, but I'm not in a blogging mood.. Just so you know, I am still thinking about this, though =)

SEE YA.

Friday, January 2, 2009

family, games and maarrriiioooo

NO TIME TO CHIT CHAT! I AM HAVING A WONDEROUS TIME WITH ME FAM. TONIGHT WE GOT TWO CUPS ON MARIO KART! woot. I had turkey with my family for my Uncle Rob's 40 some odd birthday. 44! 44 to be precise!

=) adjö