Their Stories,
In Their Own Words.

El'Faygo joined Sustainable Connexions' Through the Eyes of Youth program because of his interest in photography. It was something he had considered pursuing as a career, and the program gave him an opportunity to explore that interest while learning about another culture.

“I like photography. My second career choice that I wanted to do was photography.”

One of the most memorable parts of his experience was traveling to Ghana and discovering how different school expectations can be. He was particularly surprised by the rules surrounding students' hairstyles and the emphasis placed on education.

“I would say the hair rules during school. How you can't have your hair long because it's seen as a distraction. Their main focus is school.”

For El'Faygo, the experience went beyond his initial interest in photography. It introduced him to a different culture and gave him an opportunity to observe how students in another country approach their education.

When asked what he would tell other students considering the program, El'Faygo encouraged them to take part, drawing on his own experience traveling to Africa.

“I would tell them about my experience traveling to Africa but also let them know they will learn new things that the program has to offer and they will be in safe hands.”

El'Faygo's experience reflects how Through the Eyes of Youth creates opportunities for young people to explore their interests, experience different cultures, and discover perspectives beyond their own communities.

For Tahir, participating in Sustainable Connexions' Through the Eyes of Youth program meant being part of an environment where he felt comfortable expressing himself and sharing his thoughts.

One of the things he appreciated most was having the opportunity to speak and knowing that others in the program were encouraged to do the same.

“Almost every time. When I wanted to say something, I got the chance to. I felt like it was a program where everyone gets to speak and say what they want. That made me feel more at home with the program.”

Photography also became an important part of Tahir's experience. Through the program, he learned to pay closer attention to emotions and expressions and how to capture them through a camera.

“I learned how to capture the emotions and how to draw out expressions from a lot of things. I gained the eyes of a photographer.”

His experience reflects how Through the Eyes of Youth creates space for young people to share their perspectives, develop creative skills, and feel that their voices matter.

Stella is a fifth-grade student who has been part of the Read, Feed, and Lead program for the past four years.

During that time, her performance in Math and Reading has steadily improved. She has also become noticeably more confident.

When asked what she enjoys most about the program, Stella points to her teachers. She appreciates their patience and the way they make sure every student understands the lesson before moving on.

For Stella, that support has been an important part of her learning experience. Alongside her academic progress, she has a personal goal she hopes to achieve: becoming fluent in English.

“I want to be at the top of my class.”

As Stella continues her education, Read, Feed, and Lead provides a supportive learning environment where she can keep developing her skills and confidence.