TOMS Shoes Visit GHS!

On May 14, 2009, TOMS shoes came to Glendale High School. For every pair of shoes that TOMS sells, a new pair of shoes goes to someone in need in different parts of the world.

For those of you who don’t know, these shoes go to children who have podoconiosis, a soil transmitted disease caused by walking, running, working etc. barefoot in silica rich soil. Silica is ancient volcanic glass that penetrates the skin and makes its way into the lymphatic system. The feet and lower legs begin to swell and open sores and ulcers begin to develop; this is where the infection sets in. However, podoconiosis is 100% preventable simply by wearing shoes! This is where we come in the picture and be the change and help out!

The event we had with TOMS was a great experience. Just hearing the wonderful stories that the representatives told us were remarkable. It was so awesome to know that purchasing a pair of shoes from TOMS will help a child in need. It brought me joy to see TOMS representatives come to our school and see students who were interested in being a helping hand.

During lunch, TOMS showed the club a documentary of their shoe drops. Shoe Drops are when TOMS interns and the founder of TOMS, Blake, go to a country and give children the shoes. Many may have seen parts of this in the AT&T commercial that TOMS is in. Watching how just a simple pair of shoes impacts a child’s life and seeing the radiant smile on their face was really touching and inspiring. I hope to see every child be happy by having the chance to receive their own TOMS shoes.

If you’re interested in helping children who have podoconiosis out, you, your friends or family members can purchase their own pair of TOMS shoes (Shoes for Tomorrow), shirts, or other merchandise at www.tomsshoes.com. You may also intern with TOMS, and if chosen, you’ll be on tour with two other wonderful and caring people for five months. How cool is that?! Here is the website for the internship:

http://www.tomsshoes.com/content.asp?tid=273

Salpi Topjian
Glendale High School
Truth Movement Vice President 2008-2009

Hoover High School Human Rights Assembly

On Thursday April 23rd Hoover High school had a Human Rights assembly. We, Truth Movement, decided to have a power point presentation on modern day chocolate slavery, which takes place in the Ivory Coast in Africa. 

For those of you who didn’t know,  child slaves are used to pick up cocoa beans for different companies such as Hershey’s, Nestle, Mars (Snickers, M&Ms, Milkyway, Three Musketeers, etc.), and other popular chocolate companies.

 I was very nervous, knowing that I would be speaking in front of the entire school. I was also worried that I would say something wrong or not grab peoples’ attention on this serious issue. But what is more important, my fear of speaking in front of the entire school or the fact that there is innocent blood being shed to make chocolate? What is my fear compared to the suffering that the child slaves undergo? Nothing. My life is not at all at risk since I have the complete freedom to speak out about this injustice.  What I want to point out here is that courage is doing something that you are afraid of doing but putting your fear aside because you know that your actions and your voice are much more important than your fear.

 Stuff like this can’t just be left alone. If people are being tortured and enslaved, I am not going to sit here and do nothing about it. I am not going to expect others to fill my role because we all have a part to play in this. Furthermore, I am not going to turn down such a great opportunity to speak about this issue; in front of the entire school. If not me, then who? If not now, then when?

 Overall, the assembly went great and a lot of teachers and friends told me that they never knew that slavery still existed, especially chocolate slavery. Many told me that they will never buy or eat slave chocolate again. This really encouraged me and I was very glad that we participated in the assembly. It all starts with spreading awareness, which leads to change!

Let us be modern day abolitionists and not sit down or be silent until chocolate slavery is put to an end!

 Ani Chivchyan
Hoover High School
Truth Movement Vice President 2008-2009

If you want to send an email to Mars demanding fair trade chocolate click here

If you want to know specific information on fair trade chocolate (where to buy it and which brands are fair trade) click here

Chocolate Awarness week at GHS

The Truth behind the Chocolate you eattm005

The Truth behind the Chocolate you eat

This last week at Glendale High School a few of the members and leaders of this club took our lunchtime to go out in the middle of quad and spread the truth about the chocolate we eat.

Ever since this idea was suggested during a club meeting, we were all very excited and eager to inform our peers about the slavery going on today. This excitement turned into nervousness when I was told on the first day, that Nestle gives a lot of money to schools, in particular Glendale High. As I hesitantly walked to the middle of quad, I told my friends who were ready for that bell to ring about this. As students flooded from the classroom doors, people were staring at Samira, who was dressed as a chocolate maniac, with eyes of confusion and disgust. They couldn’t seem to figure out how chocolate, such a sweet and wonderful food could be linked to…“what was that? does that say slavery? who are these people?” I was glad that most people weren’t just walking past us, but they actually stopped to see what this was all about. It was a great experience, and we were all privileged and honored to work as God’s people, opening students’ eyes to the truth.

Read More »

Welcome to Truth Movement:

Hey everyone,

We just wanted to give you all a brief welcome and introduction to our website. Truth Movement is a club that began as a vision by our youth pastor from Christian Outreach for Armenians Church in Glendale, CA. The youth from this church as well as from Christ Armenian Church in La Cresenta, CA, took this idea and developed it into the “movement of truth”  which we are leading in our midst at our local high school campuses. As stated in our mission statement, the work that our club is involved in comes from a Christian perspective as we believe that God is a God of Justice, who demands this from His people.

“We firmly believe that all life has inherent value. In Genesis 1:27, the Bible claims, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Not only so, but He made human beings separate from all other creation by giving them dominion and stewardship over them (Gen. 1:26) and breathing into them His own breath (Gen. 2:7) – no other creature carries the breath of God. Therefore, since all people carry the image of God, all life is valuable. This is why in Genesis 9:6, God said, “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man.” Life is so valuable to God that He demands the repayment if it is taken” (www.endtheslaughter.org).

Although we hold a biblical worldview as a foundation for our club, this does not mean that students who hold opposing beliefs are not welcome to join.  In fact, part of the club includes holding debates and discussions on different controversial issues. Therefore, we would appreciate it if anyone who opposes our views would come to our meetings, or get into contact with us.

Don’t be hesitant to check out our blogs, add us on myspace or facebook, or send us an email.
Thanks.