Rowing For Syria

14 November 2015Lion T, Privett '17

Hello Brentwood.
In today’s world, all conflicts are global conflicts. In Syria, a civil war has been going on for almost five years, driving innocent Syrians out of their homes and often killing them. Close to half a decade after the start of the crisis, the world has yet to come to an agreement and find a solution for this conflict. Europe and the Middle East are flooded with refugees, looking for a safe place, a new home away from their home. Canada is not a major destination for refuge seekers; however, it is still our duty as Citizens of the World, as Canadians and Internationals, and especially as students at Brentwood, to help those in need. We are so privileged to go to school here on Vancouver Island, far away from any battlefields, and we should aspire to enable everyone to live in a similarly safe place. The first step on our way to solve the Syrian crisis is to raise awareness to get as many creative brains as possible in the game, looking for ways to make Syria a safer place again. On the 14th of November, my German rowing club, together with the Jacobs University Bremen and other local clubs, are organizing a Row 2 Syria fundraising event. In 24 hours, more than 40 athletes are going to cover the 3078 km between Bremen, Germany and Damascus, Syria on ergs. Here at Brentwood we will have the amazing opportunity to help with this cause by participating in a solidarity erg. From 1:30pm until 6 o’clock, all of you will have a chance to come by the erg room and cover a little bit of distance. Anything from just 100m to a 5 hour steady state is greatly appreciated and you are welcome to erg as little or as much as you like. There will be a movie and snacks during the entire thing, so ask your coaches to let you drop by for just five minutes, or come out and support the refugees after your busy afternoon. Donations are accepted online on www.row2syria.com, I will send out an email later today with the link. As Brentonians, Canadians and Internationals, and as citizens of this world, I encourage you to spare some change and to come to the erg room this Saturday between 1:30 and 6:00 to help the cause, because in today’s world, all conflicts are global conflicts.
Thanks, and see you all out there.
Lion T, Privett ’17

Where Students Choose To Be