Heather Latter
Dexter Fichuk is heading on another adventure.
After visiting Ecuador last summer to see poverty first-hand, the 18-year-old Fort Frances resident is travelling to Kenya this summer to learn about food security.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to go to Africa,” said Fichuk, though admitting he didn’t think it would be possible anytime soon due to financial reasons.
But he came across the trip online, which was being offered through a partnership between PotashCorp and “Free the Children”—and there was an option to apply for a PotashCorp Food Security Youth Trip Scholarship.
Fichuk applied and was selected as one of 25 recipients.
“I was so excited when I heard I had received it,” he recalled. “It was like a dream come true.”
Through PotashCorp’s partnership with “Free The Children,” the company is supporting Agriculture and Food Security initiatives in six Adopt a Village communities in Kenya, China and India as part of the new fifth pillar.
Their goal is to help communities grow the food they need while planting strong roots for the future, Fichuk explained.
It is PotashCorp’s belief “that, together, we can make food more abundant and more accessible for growing communities around the world.”
“It is the spirit that drives our company and it’s the reason we have invested in trip scholarship opportunities for young leaders like you,” William Doyle, president and CEO of PotashCorp, noted in a letter to Fichuk.
Being a part of the trip, Fichuk will spend three weeks in August:
•learning about agriculture and food security—a key pillar of sustainable development;
•contributing to sustainable agricultural programming by volunteering in rural communities;
•developing valuable leadership and interpersonal skills; and
•connecting with other young people who are passionate about global issues.
Fichuk said food security is important to him because he enjoys helping people around the globe.
That’s why he spent two years as head of the Fort Frances Mob(ilizers) group at Fort High—a group that spreads the “Me to We” philosophy of creating positive social and environmental impacts in local and global communities.
“I want to see projects that are being done in these countries now and find news ways to help,” he stressed.
While in Kenya, Fichuk will be working on agricultural initiatives at the home, school, and community levels.
“I think it will be putting yourself in their shoes and a lot of education,” he noted.
Despite the fact he’ll be heading to university this fall to study business, Fichuk is adamant he will bring what he learns back to the community.
“I’m committed to helping others and I want people here to continue doing what they can to bring about positive change in the world,” he remarked.
His goal is to find a way to incorporate business with helping people in developing countries.
“And I want to continue travelling so I can see how people in different countries live,” he reasoned.
“They might be facing the same struggles with poverty in different ways.”
For instance, Fichuk said people might be struggling from lack of clean water. That could be because they live in a climate where it is hot and dry, like Kenya, or they live on a mountain, such as the people of Ecuador.
“I want to work with the people there to hear their ideas and see what they need,” he said.
“I’m really excited to see the world and am thrilled I was given this opportunity.”
Meanwhile, given his strong passion for helping others as previously reported in the Times, Fichuk has initiated a scholarship of his own to assist local students in being able to participate in similar volunteer trips.
“The Fort Frances High School Humanitarian Trip Scholarship is a new opportunity created for students of Fort Frances High School to better our community,” he explained.
“I know first-hand how hard it can be to rise the funds for an overseas mission trip, and I also know how it can inspire a student to improve their community, so I created this scholarship.”
Fichuk has seen some support from local businesses and organizations, but still is looking for more donations to help subsidize a “Me To We” trip for a Fort High student entering Grades 9, 10, or 11.
“The student must be actively involved and demonstrate their leadership potential,” he stressed.
“The most passionate and involved candidate will be chosen to travel overseas and learn about issues in the developing world.”
Then upon returning from the trip, the student will be expected to speak at district schools about their experience.
Fichuk hopes the idea of the scholarship will be successful, and that Rainy River High School and Atikokan High School will offer a similar opportunity in the following year.
“A trip like this can change a student and their community forever,” he noted.
“I, myself, know first-hand how it has changed my life, giving me opportunities on MuchMusic, ‘We Day,’ helping me learn how to be a leader and the change a single person really can make.
“It’s why this scholarship is designed to give a student a chance for something they never thought possible,” he remarked.
Those interested in donating to the FFHS Humanitarian Trip Scholarship can contact Fichuk at DexterFichuk@gmail.com
