My name is Bret Hernando, and I am a caregiver-educator. On April 25, 2009, to raise awareness for child care, I will inline skate throughout British Columbia. In 2010, for the same cause, I will inline skate across Canada. Many may say that, to do such a great big thing, one has to be overly glad, sad, and mad about one’s job...and I am! I am very happy to be in an occupation that helps my country and fellow citizens: children, families, and communities. My love and pride for my work are incalculable. But, I am also very distressed that child care has never been given enough attention and importance. It has been so for most of the times and places in Canada. So, I am very angry at many of our political leaders because they, of all people, are the ones who have the highest power and responsibility to care for and educate our country and fellow citizens. Only their own children and families do some of our politicians take into account, not even their own communities.

I thought of skating and raising awareness for child care because I felt that child care professionals, parents, and children have never been justly recognized, respected, and rewarded. I wish to tell the people that child care is relevant to all. I want to inform the members of the public that child care is an investment for the future. And, most of all, I need to remind everybody that child care is as basic a need as health care and education—no more, no less....

So, in skating around B.C., especially in the midst of our provincial election, I hope to urge my fellow British Columbians to vote for the political party whose platform clearly and specifically addresses child care problems and solutions in our province and in the rest of our country. In raising awareness for child care, among many other significant issues, my first and foremost message is that Canada must have a national system for child care. This will, at least, ensure that we have the best possible child care all over our country. Until it is obtained, Canadians will always have inadequately cared for and educated children, families, and communities; every year, we will still be last among first-world nations, when it comes to child care and learning. And, until then, I will keep on skating to raise awareness for child care, anywhere I need to!

As I skate throughout British Columbia and across Canada, I will be logging daily blogs and uploading photos on this website. In them, I will be chronicling my everyday trip, from the casual stuff (what the weather was like, how the roads were, how far I travelled, etc.) to the crucial things (which cities I went to, what I did there, how the people welcomed me, etc.). In B.C., I will be stopping at all the cities. In every city, I look forward to meeting all of its child care supporters/advocates, visiting a day-care center, and speaking at a school. I will also be showing my route map that includes the scheduled places, distances, and dates. And, I will post each city's or town's planned event for my arrival and/or departure. I anticipate all of you to follow me and my journey (through this website and/or on Facebook). If you like, when I reach your city, you can even skate, bike, scooter, run, or drive with me!

On this website, you can also find general information and facts on child care, links to child care advocacy groups and organizations, and my personal thoughts and opinions on child care matters. You can interact with me, too, by leaving your comments, suggestions, or questions on my blogs. As well, you can donate to my cause. Most of all, please contact me, especially if you are able to help me with accommodations and/or sponsorship.

I am a working student, but I will be leaving behind my work and studies, so I can inline skate to raise awareness for child care. I am not a school-teacher nor a parent, but I am a caregiver-educator and a citizen who also believes that all of our children are to be highly cared for and educated...

Because, one day, others’ children will be my own tomorrow’s heroes.

Because, someday, my own children will be others’ future leaders.

And, that is why...

"I Care, You Care, We All Care 'Bout Child Care!"

--Bret Hernando--