“We’re both passionate about so many causes in the world,” said Dela Cruz, a first-year global political studies student at Toronto’s York University. “So we wanted to tackle those issues one at a time. This way, we can focus our attention and help them as much as we can in one year.”

Switching their focus every year will allow 1Focus to take on a diverse range of issues both locally and internationally, from human rights to the environment.

“We can kind of switch it up,” said Ng-Lai, a Grade 12 student at Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School. “It’s a renewed movement every year. It’s always going to be different.”

The inspiration behind 1Focus came from an 18-day humanitarian trip last March. Dela Cruz, Ng-Lai and 10 other students helped to teach at several schools run by the Loretto Sisters in Darjeeling and Kolkata, India, including Loreto Panighatta.

Unlike government-run schools, students who normally can’t afford tuition are aided by the sisters, who believe that all kids deserve an education, regardless of personal circumstances. Seeing as most families in the area work at low-paying tea plantations without benefits, these schools are accustomed to seeing poverty.

Despite this atmosphere, they were greeted each morning with a roomful of smiling children and a chorus of “good morning auntie,” (“auntie” being a term of respect similar to “Miss.”)

“Their playground was essentially two sticks on the ground and a piece of broken metal that they called a slide,” said Ng-Lai. “But these kids, they were having so much fun. We want to help them out. This is what we both want to do.”

Together, the schools that 1Focus supports have a combined enrolment of 750, most who fall below the poverty line.

The schools have no Grade 12 or 13 due to insufficient staff and space. Since passing these grades are necessary for graduation, children receive no diploma despite 10 years of schooling. 

“We hope that in helping them achieve an education, we can help them break the cycle of slavery from generation to generation,” said Dela Cruz.

Four TCDSB schools have already begun 1Focus chapters, while others have expressed willingness to donate. 1Focus has also received donations and support from across Ontario and even Quebec.

At the moment, they are looking for “onesies,” their term for volunteers, named as such because, as Dela Cruz said, “It can take only one to make a difference.” The organization is already planning its first public event, Focus on Talent, a benefit concert with Toronto-based acts set for January.

Now that Dela Cruz and Ng-Lai have founded 1Focus barely half a year after their trip to India, what do they want youth to learn from their experience?

“1Focus just wants to show other youth that it’s possible to achieve your goals if you take your positive idea and act on it,” said Ng-Lai.

For more information, visit the organization’s web site at www.1focus.ca.

(De los Reyes, 18, is a French Studies student at York University. You can read his full profile at youthspeaknews.org)