For almost two years, Kiran Cheema has been volunteering for the Red Cross Violence & Abuse Prevention Program, RespectED. The grade 12 student and aspiring medical school student from Surrey, BC is an enthusiastic peer facilitator for the Beyond the Hurt bullying prevention program which is offered in schools. In this program, older students educate younger students about bullying, with a focus on teaching students how they can intervene. “I have seen a difference and a change with the younger students in my school,” says Kiran, which has motivated her to take a more active role in the program.
Kiran Cheema (r) and RespectED staffer Karen Moss
Along with spreading anti-bullying messages in schools, Kiran is also an advocate for the Red Cross program, speaking at province-wide educator conferences and local school boards to encourage more schools to implement RespectED programming.
Kiran’s enthusiasm for the program has spread into the arena of film-making, where she worked on three youth-led film initiatives about bullying in schools. The short films were screened at the world-renowned Vancouver International Film Festival and received positive reviews.
Thanks Kiran, for your dedication and commitment to the program. We hope you remain a part of the Red Cross family for years to come!