KIMMIRUT/LAKE HARBOUR
It's tough to teach a class without talking, but when students at Kimmirut's Qaqqalik School and their teacher took a vow of silence, they learned a different kind of lesson.
Student Ita Kootoo tapes teacher Alison Vipond's mouth in preparation for fulfilling their vow of silence, while TJ Kolola looks on. - photo courtesy of Christy Douwsma |
Alison Vipond, a teacher at the school, initiated the idea of a taking a vow of silence to raise awareness of the 215 million children worldwide that are forced into slavery.
"I was familiar with the organization Free the Children," said Vipond.
The international charity works to get rid of child exploitation across the world. Vipond brought up the idea with her class of Grade 5 and 6 students, telling them that maybe by taking a vow of silence for the morning they could start making a difference.
"It's to remember the child labourers, the children in the world who are forced to work instead of going to school. So in memory of those who cannot speak for themselves, the organization asks people to take a vow of silence for themselves," said Vipond. "By our silence we bring awareness to the problem."
The students agreed to take part in the vow of silence for just under four hours, spending the entire morning of April 25 without speaking or uttering a word. This included morning verses, recess and even gym.
"It was all with an awareness that there were people who didn't have this opportunity to go outside and play," said Vipond.
The day before the vow of silence started, Vipond had a discussion with the class about some of the situations children face around the world. She also had to prepare them for how the following day was going to work. After all, there was still schoolwork to be completed.
"I prepped them before and I said I'm here to help you but with the vow of silence I may not be able to. So I'll try and show you on paper and if that doesn't work, skip it, go on to the next question and we'll address it the following day," said Vipond.
The vow of silence was something that Vipond herself struggled with.
"I couldn't believe how hard it is. There's just a natural flow of saying what you need to say," she said.
"People would come to me and ask me a question, and say, 'I need information' and I couldn't give it to them. That's really frustrating."
In the end, Vipond believes they made a difference, even if they were starting small. Word spread around the school and after the vow of silence she led a discussion with her class telling them that every little bit can help.
"Even with word spreading outside the class, it does make a difference. It made a difference to the school," said Vipond.
