A life-changing journey
Goal oriented - Jeff Torres has raised over $10,000 for the charity World Vision.
Email
Print
Letter to Editor
Share
Updated: November 05, 2009 4:18 PM
When Jeff Torres turned 20 this July, he celebrated his birthday in Tanzania on a trip that has changed his life. “I look at things differently now, especially when I see how people here spend their money,” he said.
When asked about the experiences that affected the change, Torres replied, “There were so many of them. At one time we went and visited the house of a family who was very poor. They practically had nothing in terms of material possessions. And they faced extreme challenges such as sickness, lack of food and the kids had to go a long distance to get to school. They were surrounded by an empty and harsh land that didn’t get enough rain. They had four children, three boys and a baby girl. We talked and got to know their story and it just touched my heart.”
At that moment Torres knew that he would like to help people for the rest of his life.
He said, “I am trying to involve other people and also use my own actions to help out.” He planned to return home and share his stories to inspire others. On Nov. 11, Torres will come to Bowen Island to give a talk and slide show at Collins Hall at 1 p.m.
Torres has considerable experience in activism. After graduating from high school in 2007, he set himself the goal to complete the 2008 Penticton Ironman in an effort to raise money for World Vision, a charity he was familiar with through the involvement of his family.
“I am passionate about sports and athletics. I signed up for the Ironman to better myself and grow as a person. And I decided to use that passion as a way to help the world,” he said.
Torres was the youngest male to finish the race.
He also managed to raise over $10,000. In a World Vision youth-leadership retreat in B.C., Torres met Tanzanian teens and learned about African development issues. He went away inspired to continue his work and organized another World Vision fundraiser this June. By holding a 30-hour famine, Torres and his team raised $1,500 and Torres was selected to serve as a World Vision youth ambassador.
Torres’ trip to Africa was part of an international exchange funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). In addition to witnessing extreme poverty, he also observed the powerful impact of aid. He said, “We met with families who get support from World Vision and other organizations. They have goats, they have a well nearby.”
For the Bowen Island event, Torres will team up with the Africa Village Project, a local charity that partners with communities in Africa and strives to help them attain self-sufficiency.
At present the Africa Village Project works mainly with Okaseni Village in Tanzania. Helping out with the organization of the event are the students from the IDLC (Island Distance Learning Community) with the support of Lori Stringer and Michelle Meyrink. The students have been learning about the opportunities and challenges of helping people in need.
They are planning to have a table at the Christmas Craft Fair and raise money that will go towards buying goats for the families of Okaseni Village.
v2
