At The Academy of Active Citizens we are working on a series of “learning novels”. These resources will be character books following an active citizen from around the world as they overcome a local challenge and make changes in their community.
Introducing our Active Citizens!
Oli
Oli loves the ocean. When she’s surfing she finds peace. When Oli discovers something terrible on her local beach, Oli knows there is a problem in her local coastal waters. But what can she do? Join Oli as she learns about the challenges our oceans face, what change-makers in her community are doing to help solve these problems & how she learns what impact she can have when she puts her mind to it.
Soa
In Soa’s village it hasn’t rained for 3 years. Her mother’s health is failing. The situation is desperate and Soa needs a Miracle. Soa takes every opportunity she can to help solve these problems problems in her village, overcoming huge life hurdles and creating positive change.
Levi
Levi loves to daydream. He dreams of being outside, all day, every day. He particularly loves the time he spends with Grandpa, in their little piece of heaven in the back garden. Grandpa and Levi grow all kinds of food, tinkering in the garden every evening. Levi see’s an opportunity in this to help people in his community, but sometimes you have to be careful about the wheels you spin into motion…
Ameena
Ameena can’t remember a time when luck was on her side. She made everything she has on her own, with the additional challenge of a small family of children to keep together, including her brother, Raju. When Ameena’s hard work pays off with an opportunity to create stability for her and the other children, Ameena grabs it with two hands… But will history come to take this chance away?
Kim Joon-Ho
Kim Joon-Ho (Joon for short) has grown up watching his mother dive to make their living; she freedives, in one breath, to collect shellfish to sell. Her and the other women here work hard and provide for their families. Joon loves to freedive, but his father doesn’t approve of him going- it’s for the women, he says. Joon must decide: follow the path written for him, or follow his heart and dive? Joon’s short story is available for free, along with the learning activities from this link.
Academy of Active Citizens 