On Wednesday, April 30, over 3,000 students led a mid-morning GuluWalk into downtown Toronto that garnered radio, newspaper and television news coverage for the still squalid internally displaced persons (IDP) camps that remain home for the children of northern Uganda. The hope of these Toronto youth is that this event can be the spark that ignites student-led GuluWalks all over the world.
The student GuluWalk in Toronto was made possible with generous teacher and student support and the endorsement of both the Toronto District School Board and the Elementary Teachers of Toronto.
To find out how you can mobilize students in your area, contact GuluWalk’s outreach and events coordinator Andrea McKinlay at andrea@guluwalk.com or by phone at 416.686.1533.
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Click on the links below to jump directly to information for:
Start Location: Lawrence Park (South-east corner of Yonge & Lawrence)
Arrival Time: 9:30 a.m.
Start Time: 10:00 a.m. (Greetings & Send-off)
Walk Departs: 10:15 a.m. (sharp)
Walk Route: South on Yonge Street to King Street; West on King Street to Metro Hall
Estimated Time of Arrival: 1:00 p.m. (walk will be approximately 3 hours)
Followed by speeches and closing remarks.
Buses Load and depart for schools: 1:45 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Sign Up Information & Details
When you sign up your classroom or school, you will receive a welcome kit that will include everything you will need to spread the word about the upcoming April 30th event.
To get started, READ THIS fact sheet and letter of introduction to the TDSB Student GuluWalk from Andy Lomnicki of the Elementary Teacher's of Toronto.
When you're ready to sign up, CLICK HERE to download the registration from. Please complete this form and fax it to the ETT Office at 416.393.9929, no later than April 24.
Event Notes & Reminders
Wear ORANGE on GuluWalk Day. That's our colour, so let's make sure we stand out and tell the story.
Please note that there will be NO food and/or water stations available or designated washroom facilities along the route. Students, teachers and classes should make allowances. It is advised that students eat before the event, or be prepared to eat along the way or once they arrive at Metro Hall. Fruit/cereal bars would be a good choice to bring for the walk.
As well, please do not litter along the way, and use garbage and recycling bins where they are available. Finally, please obey directions/instructions of police along the way.
Fundraising
Fundraising is not required to participate in this event. We are walking to tell a story. That being said, if an indivdual student or class would like to fundraise to support the children of northern Uganda, they can do so using GuluWalk's online tools.
CLICK HERE to sign up online where you can fundraise as an individual, class or team. Climb the leaderboard and be the top TDSB GuluWalk fundraiser this year!
Links & Videos
Want to know more about the impact of this conflict on the children of northern Uganda? Click here to learn more, or scroll down watch the two videos below that focus on the children living through this 22-year civil war (Note: Both videos note a past GuluWalk at the end, but unfortunately, the story remains the same):
