Wonder Boy
Toronto’s most dogged do-gooder is younger than some of the stuff in our fridge
Image credit: CP
UNICEF Junior Ambassador Bilaal Rajan has been raising cash for impoverished children since the age of four (he started selling tangerines door-to-door; today he’s addressing multinational corporations and international dignitaries). Last fall, the Richmond Hill eighth grader released a book instructing altruistic adolescents on how to kick-start a career in fundraising. Here, a one-on-one with the city’s most awe-inspiring Samaritan. Angelina Jolie, eat your heart out.
Most 12-year-olds won’t even clean their rooms. What drives you to work so hard? Gandhi said, “Be the change that you want to see in the world.” I’ve always wanted to make a difference.
You’ve travelled all over the world for your causes. Care to share a memorable moment? In 2005, I visited a village in Malawi for UNICEF. Some kids asked me to play soccer. We had a great game, but I noticed that their ball felt mushy. Afterwards, I asked what it was made of, and they told me it was a pig’s stomach stuffed with paper.
What do you do when you’re not writing books or giving lectures or saving the world? I love to hang out with my friends, ride my bike, ski, read…
What, no video games? Not really. I have a TV, but I don’t watch much of that, either.
What are you reading right now? The Firm, by John Grisham. I just finished The Client.
Do you have a favourite movie? One really good one is The Constant Gardener. I also like The Power of One.
Those are pretty intense. What about a favourite song? “Sunday Bloody Sunday” by U2.
Is there anyone you’re dying to meet? The Aga Khan. He’s my spiritual leader, and I’ve never met him. Also Nelson Mandela.
Ever been grounded? Once I got in trouble because I didn’t feed my dog, Bobby.
You must have some bad habits. I forget to make my bed in the morning. And I often read into the night.
What’s your favourite meal? I love pizza with pineapple.
Bet it’s hard to find pizza in Malawi. Once I ate guinea pig in Ecuador.
You’ve helped raise over $5 million for UNICEF. Do you ever wish you could use just a bit of that to, say, buy yourself a really cool bike? No. I already have so much.
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