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Rural Roots has been inspiring young people
across Alberta for the past 5 years, encouraging youth to
get educated, engaged, and empowered in addressing some
of the major social justice issues we’re facing at
home and around the world.
Taking the first step to get involved in
making a difference is often the most difficult step you
will have to take. But by raising your voice, shaping your
world, and sharing your passion with other young people,
you realize that you are not alone in the world, and that
together we CAN address major issues and take small steps
towards a healthier future.
Meet some of our past and present Rural Roots
Activists, and learn about who they are, where they come
from, what motivated them to get involved, and how they’re
TAKING ACTION on global issues! Prepare to be inspired...
Nicole Crawley, 16 years
old
Antony Kalashnikov, 16 years old
Alexandra McPhedran, 19 years old
Nicole ‘Aquia’ Owczarczyk,
23 years old
Nicole Crawley,
16 years old
“Helping other people and making
the effort to improve the life of others offers the best
rewards you could ever receive in life!” –
Nicole
How did you get involved with Rural Roots?
I got involved in Rural Roots through my crazy awesome teacher
at my school; I can’t thank her enough for getting
me involved.
What was one of your most memorable moments with
Rural Roots?
My most memorable moment with Rural Roots was on the Road
Trip ’08 after one of our presentations. Two girls
came up to me and told me that I was an inspiration, and
that they were thankful to have the opportunity to see the
presentation, and that they would love to attend Rural Roots
conferences. That almost made me cry because when I attended
Shape Your World, I met so many people who had inspired
me in the same way, and to be that person for someone else,
is way beyond any expectations I had for myself! I never
imagined I could be that for someone else – it is
just an incredible feeling.
How has Rural Roots inspired what you’re doing now?
Rural Roots has inspired me like crazy!! It’s incredibly
inspirational to go to the conferences and learn about what
other youth are doing, it just makes me strive harder and
do more. It also showed me that the things that seem impossible
are possible, and the goals that seem unreachable, are reachable.
SO inspirational!
What could you tell other youth to inspire them to get involved?
I would tell them to honestly just do it already! Helping
other people and making the effort to improve the life of
others offers the best rewards you could ever receive in
life.
What is one of your dreams for the future?
I hope to go to school for some kind of global development
degree, or something along those lines. I want to dedicate
most of my time volunteering/working internationally, and
to also hopefully work for a local NGO, as well to find
a partner that shares the same passion for change.
What is your favourite quote?
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed
citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing
that ever does." – Margaret Meade
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Antony Kalashnikov,
16 years old
“It’s wonderful and inspiring
to meet like-minded, active, and socially aware individuals…”
- Antony
How did you get involved with Rural
Roots?
I met the previous Rural Roots Coordinator at a United Nations
Association of Canada – Edmonton Branch meeting. The
evening was dedicated to presentations from the NGO sector.
I represented students from the 55th Seminar on the United
Nations and International Relations, and Change for Children
Association sent their Rural Roots Youth Coordinator to
talk about Rural Roots and other CFCA projects.
What was one of your most memorable
moments with Rural Roots?
The first Rural Roots Tour that I participated in had me
standing in front of a crowd of 100 high school students
and speaking to them about the woes of our world. Undoubtedly
cool!
How has Rural Roots inspired what
you’re doing now?
It’s wonderful and inspiring to meet like-minded,
active, socially aware, and philanthropic individuals who
have devoted their time and efforts (some – their
whole career) to a greater cause. Hurray for idealism!
What could you tell other youth to
inspire them to get involved?
I’d tell anyone that every three seconds, a child
dies of starvation. If a heart is so cold that it doesn’t
react to that, there’s nothing else we can do…
What is one of your dreams for the
future?
Changing the world for the better – the dream of any
idealist!
What is your favourite quote?
“Amor omia vincit” – “Love conquers
all” – Virgil
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Alexandra McPhedran,
19 years old
“My grounding is with Rural Roots
and I will always support and hopefully expand such powerful
and vital initiatives such as it.” - Alex
 How
did you get involved with Rural Roots?
I became involved in Rural Roots by acting on a whim and
attending the first annual conference. I can’t even
put into words the spellbinding passion and intensity it
triggered in me. I came home thrilled to finally have an
outlet and the resources to put these social justice brainwaves
I had finally into action!
What was one of your most memorable
moments with Rural Roots?
One of my most memorable moments of Rural Roots would have
been sharing my words with others at the third annual Rural
Roots Conference. It is incredibly rewarding to speak from
your heart and have such gratitude and support from others
who share your passion for change in our world.
How has Rural Roots inspired what
you’re doing now?
Rural Roots has inspired me immensely. Through all experiences
connected with Rural Roots and Change for Children- the
people, the music, the message, the energy and knowledge-
I know that my heart is right and that I am not alone in
what I foresee for the world. I will begin my studies of
International Development this fall at university and plan
to work in the field of international aid. My grounding
is with Rural Roots and I will always support and hopefully
expand such powerful and vital initiatives such as it.
What could you tell other youth to
inspire them to get involved?
I wish I had something powerful to say, and perhaps persuasive
in respect of getting more youth involved, because I think
it is true that once one is exposed to such a strong and
inspiring community as Rural Roots they realize all that
they can do to create change in our world. Simply, I never
feel better than when I am doing good for others. This is
true.
What is one of your dreams for the
future?
Honestly, world peace. I can’t begin, and probably
never will in all reality, to fully comprehend or imagine
the poverty and disturbing truths that millions of people
live and bear throughout the world, but although it is not
my reality, it is still very real. There is positive potential
for change, and I will do my best to service it. I do truly
dream for world peace. I dream for clean water, nutritious
food, education, healthcare, joy, peace, and equality.
What is your favourite quote?
“There is no situation that is not transformable.
There is no person who is hopeless. There is no set of circumstances
that cannot be turned about by ordinary human beings and
their natural capacity for love of the deepest sort.”
– Archbishop Desmund Tutu
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Nicole ‘Aquia’
Owczarczyk, 23 years old
“We are all in this ‘mess’
of a world together, all we can do is have hope and share
our strengths and talents with others. This way our actions
of solidarity and community can be felt by all, kind of
like a ripple effect.” – Nicole
 How
did you get involved with Rural Roots?
I met a fantastic former participant who shared her experiences
with me about touring Alberta and speaking with youth about
global issues. It was so inspiring (and sounded like a blast)
that I called Rural Roots to set up a meeting and get involved!
What was one of your most memorable
moments with Rural Roots?
Being able to MC the 2007 Youth Action Conference with Julio
Garcia!!! As well as participating in the amazing BREAK
OUT/team building games and activities during last year’s
Shape Your World Conference!
How has Rural Roots inspired what
you’re doing now?
I’ve been inspired by all the youth that show such
strength, hope and confidence in the future. Not only do
they show up to these conferences, but they are fierce with
amazing ideas and are actually in their communities making
a difference! Their energy continues my motivation to make
a difference in the lives of youth in Alberta and abroad.
What could you tell other youth to
inspire them to get involved?
I would tell them to be themselves, and to find a path that
they can proudly walk on and make positive change and impact
in the lives of others. It is a journey, a discovery of
who they are. We are all in the ‘mess’ of a
world together, all we can do is have hope and share our
strengths and talents with others. This way our actions
of solidarity and community can be felt by all, kind of
like a ripple effect.
What is one of your dreams for the
future?
I would love to work for a fair trade organization that
works with farmers and workers on the ground, as well as
working in developed countries to raise awareness and promote
fair trade. Incorporating photography in all that I do is
definitely a must, as well!
What is your favourite quote?
“It isn't enough to talk about peace. One must
believe in it. And it isn't enough to believe in it. One
must work at it.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
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