Cactus Sale

by Béatrice Gilbert and Romane Gauvreau

For our generation, good actions are very important. Today, we would like to share our thoughts about actions currently managed by the students of Laval University. Adding tools and racks for bikes on campus, creating a friendly environment for new students from abroad are examples of what we like and appreciate. One project really caught up our attention.

A cactus sale was held from September 25th to September 28th at the Charles-De Koninck pavilion. At first, we didn’t even know what they were doing it for, but we wanted to go. What a surprise when we arrived and saw a very long waiting line, which had more than 100 persons.

While waiting, we understood that the sale’s profits were all going to go to an amazing foundation that the students behind the project had chosen. In fact, that foundation, Lawyers without borders, is supporting the defense of human rights for the most vulnerable. For that, they provide the legal representation needed to get justice.

Working with a lot of countries, but especially with Colombia, Guatemala, Haïti, Afghanistan and Nigeria, Lawyers without borders have been, and will be in the future, really helpful. Per exemple, in Nigeria, it is forbidden to have a child outside of marriage. A lot of women are sentenced to death for that reason. LWB helped them by getting a defence lawyer and media coverage.

Many university students or local residents came to support the cause by a cactus. There were many kinds of cactuses, big ones, small ones, thorny or not. We were impressed by the diversity and choices.  Something that was great was the price of these cactuses. For 4 bucks, you could leave with a beautiful greeny plant and make a “feel good about it” donation to the organisme.

Laval University is planning to organise other cactuses and other plants sales, for another cause, later this year. Maybe you’ll want to help them by buying yourself a new green friend?