About/Contact Us

About the Founder

Fariya Walji is a current law student (2014 J.D. Candidate). She graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Arts With Distinction from the University of Toronto in June 2011, with a major in Criminology, and a triple minor in Dramatic Arts, English and Political Science.

She is also the CEO and Founder of Change Tomorrow’s World”.

Ask her what she career she wants pursue, and she’ll tell you “UN Ambassador, Actress, Human Rights Activist, Singer, Lawyer (international/criminal/constitutional law) and Philanthropist” before you even finish your question.

Oh, and Prime Minister!

Fariya’s most distinguishing feature is her advocacy and presenation skills, which she attributes to her pre-law training. By the age of seventeen, she had already competed in two provincial-wide mooting competitions hosted by the Ontario Bar Association (which involved presenting  a mock criminal case in the Ontario Superior Court, in the largest courtroom in Ontario) and clinched the prestigious “Badger Award” for best cross-examinations. Continued success in her advocacy skills are demonstrated in her several university mooting awards, most notably “Top Orator” from Osgoode Cup, a national undergraduate mooting competition in 2008, 2010, and 2011. Along with volunteering at Community Legal Aid, Fariya has used her strong, advocating voice to reach out to youth everywhere, and to fight for a cause she is passionate about: combining youth power to change the world.

She cites the inspiration of this project – Change Tomorrow’s World –  from Michelle Obama’s speech at University of California commencement ceremony in May 2009.

“Somehow, thousands of kilometers away, through a TV screen, Michelle Obama changed me from someone who was looking for inspiration to someone who wanted to be inspirational” says Fariya.

“She talked about graduates paving the way so that younger students could have the tools and skills to succeed. She talked about students having the ability to change the world – to put together their resourcefulness, and inventiveness. But most importantly, she told me to think of the millions of kids around the world who will never have the chance to stand in my shoes – the people who just can’t get a break, when no one tells them that they are good enough, or smart enough to do whatever they like – kids who stopped being dreamers. Those words, they shook me. And they made me want to help kids be dreamers again.”

The idea for Change Tomorrow’s World spanned within a month. Now in progress for over two years, Fariya is putting together this blog not only showcase the current talents of students, but to inspire and encourage students to make a difference in their communities. “I hope students will see the challenges we need to overcome to improve our world, and examples of students who are making a difference and from this, become inspired to help change their own communities. The combined effort of students around the world creates a revolution.”

(The success of this blog could not have been possible without the support of Fariya’s family: Dr. Hafiz Walji, Mrs. Azmina Walji and her brothers, Ali and Husayn.)

Sponser / Contact Us

Please email us for any questions/comments at changetomorrowsworld@gmail.com!

About the Writers/Staff

Jessie Ampofo is a third year student at the University of Toronto currently studying Political Science, English and Philosophy. Her goal is to one day be a part of the United Nations or an organization that focuses on international development. Issues like human rights have always been a passion of hers especially pertaining to children in poverty. She has been involved in many organizations that advocate for those in poverty and is always looking to do more. In her spare time she enjoys playing the flute and piano, watching shows like The Office and 30 Rock and participating in charity events. She is excited to be a part of Change Tomorrow’s World and encourages everyone to make a positive impact. “Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. “ -Mother Teresa

Sarah Atwi is in her final year at the University of Toronto. Majoring in Human Biology, and minoring in biology and French culture, her passions range from dissecting cow-hearts, to perfecting her cupcake baking skills. Using her education, she is pursuing her goal of helping others by studying to be a doctor. She is involved in assisting in research labs, tutoring highschoolers, and in other charitable organizations. But whenever Sarah is not in the library, with friends, or volunteering, you can find her with a paintbrush in one hand, and her iPod in the other. Between all of this, Sarah embraces her inner geek by always being aware of the latest global news. With an outgoing, passionate, and bold personality, she knows that being honest with yourself and laughter are two components that can help anyone overcome any hurdle. A 3rd culture kid, she has grown up in the U.S., Canada, and Saudi Arabia. Absorbing all she has learned from her travels, her ambitions are to help raise awareness about pivotal issues like poverty, hunger, climate change, human rights, and social injustices. Thus, after she stumbled upon “Change Tomorrow’s World”, she knew that this was something that can indeed help make a positive difference in our world.

Marisa Baratta is a writer and a student. Having finished her Specialization in English and having received her University degree and bilingual certificate, she is now happily continuing her education for another year studying Book & Magazine Publishing. Marisa loves writing, especially about topics pertaining to environmental change, animal issues and human rights. A very happy and friendly girl, she is serious about helping others and making a positive difference in the world. She chose to become vegetarian two years ago and does not plan to go back – and yes, she is used to the questions about it! Marisa loves writing novels and poetry and hopes that along the way to publishing her books, these inspirational blogs will serve to bring people closer together.

Stephan Popescu is a third year university student at the University of Toronto, studying Commerce at the Rotman School of Management, specializing in finance and economics.  Stephan plans on pursuing a career in marketing and finance once he graduates from the University of Toronto, although a career in Law has never been out of the question.  No matter what career Stephan plans on pursuing in the future, you can be sure that he’ll choose a career where he will be able to make a positive difference, whether it be internationally or at home in Toronto and Canada. A devoted traveller, having been everywhere from the great provinces of Canada to all over Europe and even into Asia, Stephan has experienced different cultures from all around the world.  Having seen the differences between first world countries and third world countries, Stephan has seen what it takes to help change the world and it is in his many travels that he has been filled with the desire to do whatever he can to help change the world in a positive way. A huge sports fan as well as music junkie, you can always find Stephan with his Ipod on, listening to the latest tracks from Canada’s influential artists.  An avid tennis player as well as member of the University of Toronto ski and snowboard club, Stephan has always loved sports, especially his two favourite sports, hockey and soccer. Stephan hopes to bring all his worldly experiences to Change Tomorrow’s World.

Aleks Sagan is a recent graduate from York University with two Bachelor’s degrees, one in each English and Education. These sum up a lot of her passions including reading, writing, and working with youth. Her favourite authors are Wally Lamb and Ann-Marie MacDonald. Her favourite poet is Leonard Cohen. She enjoys writing fiction (currently working on two novels) and non-fiction. She believes that young people are the future and that teaching them to care for, love, and respect the world that they live in will ensure a peaceful future. Outside of academia, Aleks loves to spend time in the Canadian outdoors. She is an avid canoer, kayaker, and tripper. She spent eight summers at camp, as both a camper and staff, practicing and honing these skills. To stay fit, Aleks loves running and working out. She is currently training to hopefully complete a marathon, which is a new goal after completing a half-marathon last September. Playing sports is important to her, but so is cheering for her home hockey team: the Toronto Maple Leafs. Despite criticism, Aleks is an avid Leafs fan and will continue to support them through another season. Travelling is another passion and Aleks has spent time in Europe, North America, and the Caribbean. Next summer, Aleks hopes to take a trip across Canada from the East to the West coast. In the future, Aleks wants to complete a Master’s degree in an English related field and pursue a career in journalism, creative writing, or outdoor education.

Fydez Tan is a third year student at the University of Toronto, studying Philosophy and Political Science. She is a free-spirited girl with dreams of studying and pursuing law someday and of travelling the world. She loves fashion and looks up to Francoise Hardy and Coco Chanel, to name a few, as icons. Her calm and collected personality is coupled with a “happy-go-lucky” vibe, in which she appears to be timid at a first glance, but when passionate about a cause, her voice speaks up with opinion.  Her optimistic attitude indeed affects her opinions and the views she stands for. Thus, she shares the same positive dream with everybody at Change Tomorrow’s World – a better change for the world is possible. “There are many problems in the world but it does not follow that there is no visible solution. The world may not attain it in one click, but it will surely be achieved in small and patient steps when we are driven by passion and inspiration to put ideas and creativity into action.” – Fydez Tan