The spark for Canadian FYRE was ignited in 2003 when a small committee of young Calgarians, under the leadership of Janna
Mariano-Groza, took the initiative to raise money so that a young Laotian monk named Yoth could realize his dreams of a
post-secondary education. At the first gathering, friends and family came together for the price of a movie to have fun and
to learn about another culture while they invested in the future of a student. Although it was a small event, the first fundraiser
was successful enough to help Monk Yoth through his first year of college.
From 2004 to 2007, Canadian FYRE expanded to build a full scholarship programs for post-secondary students in Laos. In 2007,
Canadian FYRE realized that more volunteer support and a broader mission could benefit the organization. Canadian FYRE,
approached a group of children’s authors and Illustrators, which, under the leadership of children’s author Teresa de Grosbois,
were establishing The Global Education Endowment Fund. The GEE Fund’s purpose was to establish partnerships between Canadian
schools and daycares and schools in developing nations both for learning and fund-raising for tuition programs for
under-privileged students. The fit of the two organizations was sufficiently close that the groups decided to merge under the
Canadian FYRE banner. Under the leadership of children’s author Teresa de Grosbois, the re-vitalized organization has now expanded
its mission and vision, while still maintaining the vision of Canadian FYRE.
