Education/training
Active volunteer earns top scholarshipWhile many youths his age are obsessed with the number of friends they have on Facebook, Florind Polo is preoccupied with the number of African youths he can help. |
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 [ 2007-07-25 ] |
Youth in Motion's Top 20 Under 20
As regional co-ordinator for West Africa of Amnesty International's youth program, the 18-year-old invests four to five hours a week updating volunteers across Canada about opportunities to fight for the human rights of children in 14 African countries, including child soldiers, refugees and prisoners of war.
His extensive involvement in Amnesty has also included organizing a national youth committee in Eastern Europe to advocate for the human rights and proper treatment of children in schools.
"I guess it's like the old saying goes, You make a living out of what you get, but you make a life out of what you give," says the young Torontonian. "My major goal is to raise awareness about what needs to be done."
Recently, Polo's tireless volunteer work raised a different kind of awareness - among the folks at TD Bank Financial Group, which awarded him its TD Canada Trust Scholarship for Community Leadership. Upon his graduation from Weston Collegiate Institute and enrolment in post-secondary school this fall, the scholarship will pay for all of his tuition and $5,000 a year toward his living expenses, as well as offer summer employment at the bank for up to four years, for a total value of $60,000.
"At first I was really shocked, but I'm starting to get used to it. It feels really good," Polo says.
It was far more than Polo's Amnesty work that earned him this prestigious scholarship. Polo's extensive volunteerism has included organized fundraising campaigns such as 30 Hour Famine to raise finds for United Way, World Vision and tsunami relief.
MOTIVATE OTHERS
He has served as co-ordinator for a national youth participation project on HIV/AIDS, and is the chairperson of the Human Rights Committee at the United Nations Association in Toronto.
He hopes his actions will motivate other youths to do more for those in need.
"Once you inspire people, it acts as a catalyst for personal action that makes a difference," he says.
Polo has also been actively involved in his high school jazz band, debating team and soccer team, completed a four-week summer enrichment program at Shad Valley and was recognized for his outstanding volunteerism by Youth in Motion's Top 20 Under 20.
In the fall, Polo plans to attend York University's Schulich School of Business, and ultimately wants to pursue a career in commerce and international law.
Polo's illustrious track record of volunteerism and bustling extracurricular schedule are an excellent example to other youths considering pursuing scholarships upon graduating high school.
"Figure out what you feel passionate about -- help the school council or find out where help is most needed in your local community," he says. "There's a volunteering opportunity out there for everyone, you just have to find your match."
Would you ever work for a social or charitable enterprise in the third sector?