Petition for: Promissory Scholarships for the Children of the Family of Michel Chikwanine To the President of the University of Waterloo, the Registrar’s Office and the Scholarship Office; We, the undersigned, would like to ask that you grant promissory scholarships to the children of Michel Chikwanine’s family, to be given to them upon the completion of their secondary education. Michel Chikwanine, a former child solider, survived unspeakable atrocities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He escaped, and came to Canada. He then began to speak about his experiences, and inspires and empowers youth every day through his work with Me to We, a branch of Free the Children. Michel’s courage leaves no person untouched. He has done so much for Canadian youth, it’s time that Canada gives back. Not only is Michel a demonstration of strength and courage - his father was as well. A human rights activist, he fought for peace amidst Africa’s Great war, and was killed for his beliefs. Michel’s family, including his aunt, his cousin, his older sister, and their 10 children, are in hiding in Uganda. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the meeting place between the Rwandan Genocide, Northern Uganda’s Lord’s Resistance Army, as well as disease, hunger and poverty. We ask that you promise these children an opportunity for the future that was robbed from so many, and to extend to them the goodwill and compassion that is so encouraged of your students.