On their way through the district as part of their cycling tour from Winnipeg to Sudbury, members of the “Otesha Project” delivered their message of environmentalism and making informed consumer decisions here last week and early this week.
After stopping at Donald Young School in Emo and Crossroads School in Devlin on Friday, the group of 14 cyclists made an appearance at the Clover Valley Farmers’ Market on Saturday morning.
Otesha, which means “reason to dream” in Swahili, is a Canadian non-profit organization created to mobilize youth to create local and global change through their daily consumer choices.
The group performed a four-scene play called “Morning Choices,” with the message that global problems are connected to everyday actions in a typical morning.
Each act focused on one aspect of daily life, including water use, clothing, media, and transportation, and made points for people to think about.
For instance, could you conserve more water? Do you know if your clothes are made in “sweatshop” conditions? How can you “vote” with your wallet? What do you really need?
They also encouraged everyone to turn off their TVs, get outside, and experience the world—and get some exercise at the same time.
And while they’re at it, consider self-propelled transportation, such as walking or riding a bike, to prevent the use of non-renewable energy and the resulting pollution.
(While they weren’t part of the presentation Saturday, the group also promotes buying products, such as types of coffee, that promise fair pay to the farmers that grow the coffee beans, as well as vegetarianism).
“Our message is ‘Be the change you want to see in the world,’” Otesha Project member Kathleen Coté explained Saturday as the group ate the lunch provided to them by the farmers’ market.
“If one person who sees our presentation is inspired to change one thing in their life, I feel very happy we’re making a difference,” she added.
Coté stressed the group—which is one of the five Otesha Project tours travelling across Canada this summer—tries to live by example.
That’s why they use self-propelled transportation to get across the country. They also try to eat locally-grown food wherever they go.
Coté noted the group has received a “warm welcome” on each stop since the tour started in Winnipeg, adding Rainy River District “has been excited to have us.”
Also Saturday, the group made available postcards that individuals were encouraged to fill out, explaining how they intend to make the world a better place, and send into the Otesha Project.
Coté noted the group loves it when those they speak to keep in touch, and the Otesha Project has a very “kid-friendly” website—www.otesha.ca—that the public is encouraged to check out.
While there, they can always sign up for Otesha’s e-newsletter.
“The Otesha Book: From Junk to Funk!” also can be downloaded at the website.
After singing a “thank you” song to the CVFM vendors for giving them a box of fresh food to fuel them on their cycling trek, the crew rode out to the “Fly-in BBQ” at the airport.
Coté said it’s common for the group to get donations from the communities they stop in, and such generosity is encouraging as they make their way across Northern Ontario spreading their message.
The group also performed at J.W. Walker and Robert Moore in Fort Frances on Monday.
During their nights in Fort Frances, the group stayed with Eric and Caren Fagerdahl.
Fort Frances Times
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