Two years ago Karl Lundsbye, along with his friend Rowan Hermiston, organized a Peace Walk in support of the people of Ukraine.
Now later this month he's looking to bring the 100 Mile House Peace Walk back, this time in support of the people and children of Gaza. Lundsbye said he has watched the Israeli war against Hamas in Gaza for the past several months and felt compelled to do something.
"I try to remain non-political with this stuff, it is a walk for peace, after all," Lundsbye, 13, said. "However, the active genocide in Gaza is a main factor as to why I'm doing this right now. I believe it is incredibly urgent to get aid into that area as soon as possible. This will hopefully be an opportunity to help with everything going on."
The Gaza Strip has been under attack by Israel since October 7 when members of Hamas attacked Israel killing 1,139 people and taking 251 people hostage. Since then Israel has launched a military campaign to defeat Hamas resulting in the deaths of at least 37,000 Palestinians and displacing most of the Gaza Strip's 2.3-million population in what is widely considered an urgent humanitarian crisis.
To help mitigate this harm, Lundsbye aims to raise at least $500 which will be donated to the Palestine Children's Relief Fund. Lundsbye said his chosen charity, the PCRF, is both non-political and non-profit and will be able to get aid to children on the ground.
"It has been able to treat more children (in Gaza) than any other charity in the Middle East, as of right now," Lundsbye remarked.
Donations can be made online by scanning the QR codes attached to the posters advertising the event, which Lundsbye put up around town last week, or by making a physical donation in person the day of. Anyone with questions about the donation process can reach out to Lundsbye through his mother Kimberly Vance-Lundsbye at 250-706-3143.
Like in 2022, Lundsbye said the event will take place at the South Cariboo Visitor's Centre and the 100 Mile Marsh on June 22 starting at 11 a.m. After gathering at the visitor's centre they'll then walk around the marsh with signs calling for peace.
Lundsbye noted that he feels over the past few years he has felt the South Cariboo community has almost been drifting apart. He thinks that this walk will be a way for the community to stand together again.
"Like before this is meant to be (a walk) in solidarity rather than a thing of protest. It is mostly us just going to be us walking around the marsh for as long as we need to," Lundsbye said. "At a time like this, we need to act as a community. Not only to people in this area but globally as a community known as humanity. I feel this is, if not a way to do so, is a step forward to doing so."
