(Chicago, IL, 01/21/13) Brimming with passion and potential to serve humanity, a student audience of 400 packed the historic International House Assembly Hall to capacity on January 13, 2013 for an innovative project called “Humanitea Time”. Humanitea Time inspires youth activism around local and global social causes. This dynamic event is an initiative of Zakat Foundation of America, a Chicago-based non-profit organization, and cosponsored by Amnesty International USA and University of Chicago Global Voices Program.
This café style event featured motivational narratives by legendary Chicago activist Father Pfleger and contemporary Muslim-American Imam Suhaib Webb, riveting performances by poets Tasleem Jamila Firdausee and Amal Kassir, and the Kuumba Lynx Performance Ensemble. Youth were presented with causes to inspire and discover their potential as change-makers and encouraged to pursue meaningful work.
To conclude the event, students signed up to join prearranged programs to follow a cause of their choice, such as gun violence, food justice, global water scarcity, or human rights crises. Whether planting community gardens in food deserts, building water wells in the world’s thirstiest villages, or mentoring children in underprivileged communities, Humanitea Time participants are mobilized to tread new tracks in the world.
Additionally, "Artists for Humanitea" is an online performing arts contest inviting budding artists to create poetry, song, theatre, film, or other performing arts that build awareness and encourage social justice and humanitarian activism. The grand prize is a student-service trip to Ghana in summer of 2013 with Zakat Foundation of America; second prize is a $1,000 scholarship; third prize is a $500 scholarship. The contest was launched in December and ends February 15, 2013. Visit ZAKAT.ORG for more information.
Humanitea Time is a launching pad for youth leadership. If you missed Humanitea Time but would still like to serve humanity, contact [email protected]. Ready, Set, SERVE!