By Maisha Hasan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A driving question that we face every day when scrolling through the many tragedies our communities deal with is “What can I do to help?”, often swiftly replaced by the bleak conclusion, “I cannot do enough.” Then we keep scrolling till we see a cat video that will make our worries fade into the edges of our minds. These small distractions do little to nothing to change the reality of the challenges we face.
However, some young people today, despite their devices, advocate pushing past the cat videos and taking action, including university student Charlene Rocha. Rocha is no stranger to standing up, as she has partaken in protests from a young age, even publishing a book entitled You Can Be an Activist, all while attending the University of Waterloo for a degree in software engineering. Her book, aimed at empowering youth, sheds light on how individuals, regardless of their age or background, can make a tangible impact on the issues they care about.
On her website, www.charlenerocha.com, Rocha notes that her passion lies in combining her software engineering skills with activism, using computer science for the greater good. Her activism has centred on the climate and the importance of diversity in the tech world while her tech skills have lent themselves to projects like 3D printing prosthetic upper limb devices and creating a computer-powered trash and recycling sorting machine that used images to recognize the appropriate category of waste.
Rocha will be reading from her book and leading a workshop on its values at the upcoming Telling Tales Festival — a registered charity that has been supporting Canadian authors and illustrators since 2009, providing a fun and engaging event for young readers to connect with stories and their authors. Telling Tales, taking place at the Royal Botanical Gardens across the weekend of Sept. 21, and other similar events are vital in building a sense of community and inspiring young people to be interested in literature, storytelling, and social issues. Rocha’s involvement emphasizes the value of young people’s voices in activism and the transformational potential of storytelling.
I had the chance to ask Rocha about her book, her work, and, of course, the upcoming festival.
At such a young age, you managed to publish a book! What was the process behind that?
It’s definitely daunting to be a young author, especially without a formal background in writing, but I was fortunate to have incredible support that reminded me [that] my voice matters. The process of writing my book, which focuses on activism, was rooted in sharing personal experiences and the advice I wish I had when I started out. I wanted it to serve as a guide for kids to discover how they can use their unique strengths and talents to make a difference in causes that matter to them. With so much to share, the chapters and stories naturally took shape. We also included contributions from other activists, adding more depth and perspective to the book.
Having Mary Beth Leatherdale as a co-author was incredibly helpful. She guided me through balancing school and the editing process, and her experience as a seasoned writer helped me navigate the journey.
In an age of digital media, how do you suggest educators and parents alike encourage young people to read?
As a software engineer, I understand how rapidly technology evolves and influences our daily lives. My main recommendation is to embrace this change and adapt to it. For instance, in my book, we discuss how digital media can be a powerful tool for getting your message out, especially in an era where traditional methods like posters may be less common. By integrating digital platforms with reading materials, educators and others can make reading more engaging and relevant to young people.
Can you give us a rundown of what your workshop will look like at the Telling Tales Festival?
Our workshop will start with a collaborative brainstorming session focusing on various social justice issues within our community. We’ll then explore how we can apply our individual strengths and talents with a guided walkthrough. Finally, participants will engage in activities designed to combine their skills and interests to develop concrete initiatives that address these community issues.
In your book, you share that you and your sister went to a “Fridays for Future” protest (Fridays for Future is a student-led climate strike, also known as the school strike for climate), sparking your involvement in future protests. What have you done differently in protests since then?
When we first got involved in protesting, Fridays for Future was instrumental in guiding us and showing us how to effectively organize and advocate for our causes. Since then, I’ve applied those lessons by focusing on more strategic planning and community engagement in protests, ensuring that our efforts are not only impactful but also inclusive of diverse voices and perspectives.
What workshop, aside from your own, are you most looking forward to at this festival?
I’m really looking forward to the “From Pages to Panels” workshop! The speakers will discuss their experiences of having their stories adapted into graphic novels. Since my parents are animators and I absolutely love graphic novels, I’m looking forward to learning about this adaptation process.
Can we expect any future books? If so, what will it be about?
Although I don’t have anything currently in progress, I’d love to write a book in the future that makes technology more accessible. I’m especially interested in topics like how AI can reinforce stereotypes or how emerging technologies shape social behaviours and ethics.
Rocha is a credit to not only her school but her age group. Though she is only in the early stages of young adulthood, she has already managed to present a Tedx Talk, produced STEM workshops across Ontario for elementary schools, and starred, alongside three other young people, on YTV’s Citizen Kid. There is no doubt that she is an impressive role model for young kids, especially those with aspirations towards activism.
The Telling Tales Festival will take place at the Royal Botanical Gardens on September 21 and 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. With over 60 presenters, from authors and illustrators to drag queens, plus a giant book swap, author signings, puppet shows, and musicians, there’s something for kids of all ages to enjoy. To register for your free Telling Tales Festival tickets and for more information, head to the Telling Tales website.
Make sure to check out Charlene Rocha’s workshop: head over to the Young Adults Tent at 11 a.m. on the Saturday of the event. Learn how to make a change for tomorrow, today.
