Owlkids

12 OWL September 2016 Insider BY JOHN CROSSINGHAM Insider Insider Insider REAL ACTION W e all know what it's like to want to change something. But actually making that happen can be kind of intimidating! Who is going to listen to me? you might ask. Well, lots of people— that's who! Just ask these ve teens. They have different skills, different backgrounds, and different causes. But there's one thing they have in common: the belief that con dence and positive energy can help achieve almost any goal. Get ready to be inspired! In Grade 6, Diviya won a school competition with a passionate speech about issues girls face around the world, including gender equality and the right to an education. After that, she started her own social justice blog—diviyaliveshere.com—which has been viewed in over 50 countries. Today she writes, speaks, and fundraises for girls' rights, turning her passion into opportunity for girls around the globe. OWL: What advice would you give to kids who want to make a difference? DIVIYA: If you are a kid who wants to make a difference, the rst thing to do is to nd your "spark." Once you nd an issue that you feel strongly about, you have found it. It is okay to be angry about an issue, because you can turn all that anger into passion! The most important thing to remember is that no matter how young you are, you are capable of making a huge difference in our world. Diviya Leonard, 14 FROM: Toronto, Ontario GIG: Human rights advocate REAL REAL ACTION Meet ve young activists and inventors who have turned and inventors who have turned In my free time, I can be found spending time with my family and friends, and playing ringette on a rep team.

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