January 11, 2012 - The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, delivered a message to 3,500 students from 25 schools across Canada in "There for Haiti," a videoconference organized by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the Centre for Global Education.
The students also had the opportunity to interact with Haitian students in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, sharing their good-will messages and asking questions.
"The messages of hope that you will create today will mean the world to Haitian children and youth. They truly appreciate the work Canada is doing here, and I know they are extremely happy to hear from you," said Minister Oda.
Canada supports securing the future of children and youth in Haiti via several initiatives. Through a CIDA contribution to the United Nations WFP School Feeding Program, some 400,000 girls and boys have received a daily meal at school, thus improving their learning and health outcomes. Through support to the "Back to School initiative", 40,000 children have received access to quality basic education via tuition waivers.
The following schools participated in today's videoconference:
- Queen Elizabeth High School—Edmonton
- Rio Terrace Elementary—Edmonton
- Kehewin School—Kehewin
- Sir John Franklin—Yellowknife
- Vincent Massey Collegiate—Winnipeg
- Memorial Composite High School—Sydney Mines
- Crowe High School—Trail
- Swan Valley Regional Secondary School
- Field Crest Elementary School
- Quebec High School—Quebec
- Lamont High School, Ranch Learning Centre—Lamont
- Clear Falls High School—Clear Falls
- Balmorall Hall—Winnipeg
- Rosslyn Jr High School— Edmonton
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr School—Rochester
- H.B. Wilson Elementary School—New Jersey
- Holy Spirit Catholic School—Devon
- And other schools through webcast
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For more information, media should contact:
Justin Broekema
Press Secretary to the Minister of International Cooperation
Telephone: 819-953-6238
Email: justin.broekema@acdi-cida.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Telephone: 819-953-6534
Email: media@acdi-cida.gc.ca
