Scottish Catholic Observer

What does a pro-life campaigner look like? Check out below this group of proud young people who will take a stand against abortion across Scotland next week. The activists will take part in the annual Project Truth Roadshow, setting up stalls to give people the facts about abortion.

Rebecca

I’m 21 and about to go into my second year studying community learning and development. This will be my third time on the Project Truth Roadshow and I can’t wait!

It’s always an amazing week being surrounded by like-minded young people and coming together to go out and share our message in a positive way.

That’s what I love about Project Truth: it isn’t negative or damning, it simply aims to go out and show people the beauty of life in the womb.

One thing which has spurred me on recently was attending the March for Life in Washington DC. Seeing the vibrancy of the movement over there and feeling the sense of hope because the movement is growing and hearts are changing.

This has made me hopeful that one day this can be the picture here. Let’s hit the streets of Scotland!”

Raya

I’m an art student. Most of my days consist of sitting at a table, writing dramatic annotations on health and safety and how not to let the oil paint spontaneously combust (such is the art grade criteria) all the while spilling water over my work and wondering what on earth I’ve gotten myself into.

Moving swiftly forward, I’m excited to be joining Project Truth this year to be an open witness on the streets of Scotland.

It’s really difficult living in a society that pressures people to think in certain ways, and continually blinds them to the truth. I’m constantly thinking of how I can guide people to that truth, while keeping close to it myself.

Going into college with literally no pro-lifers close to me is tough going, so it’s fantastic to learn that I’m not alone and others also want to make a difference by showing people the joyful truth.

This seems the perfect opportunity to reach out and show them that there is an alternative to abortion; a tiny, beautiful, precious alternative made in the image and likeness of God.

“Everyone deserves to hear that message, and I am really looking forward to bringing it this year with the roadshow!”

Sarah

I’m mama to one very handsome boy and I’m a recent law graduate.

“I currently work in a law firm in Edinburgh and intend to start studying towards the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice in September.

I’m joining the Project Truth team this year because of Dominic—our unplanned pregnancy who turned out to be the greatest gift of life.

“I want to share the truth that Dominic’s life in the womb mattered and every unborn life matters. And that women are strong enough to say yes to life. We are strong enough to carry, give birth to and raise our children, even in circumstances that we didn’t plan. Choosing life ultimately empowers us to do it all and so much more.

I look forward to meeting you all on the road to spread the pro-life message!”

Meritxell

I have just finished studying HND TV production at the City of Glasgow College and I do freelance film and photography work.

I am pro-life because I believe that all life starts from conception and that everyone has a right to live, even if it is only for a short time. I believe that it is important to speak up for the most vulnerable part of our society and I am doing Project Truth this year to do just that.

Another big influence on why I am pro-life is that my siblings and I are all adopted and have been given the chance to live our lives to the full.

I will also be a photographer on one of the teams this year and I am looking forward to spending time with other young people with the same views and beliefs, as me and helping each other   talk to people on the streets about the truth of abortion.”

Hannah Paterson

I am currently a painting student at Gray’s School of Art. I’m constantly painting away at the easel but I also enjoy photography, editing and doodling characters.

I am also a big animal lover who never goes anywhere without food. I have always been pro-life but it has only been over the past couple of years where I have started to find my voice on many issues we face today.

After properly looking into the abortion topic I was shocked to see what abortion does to unborn children and the mothers who are left in pain and I couldn’t believe this was normal to society.

I wanted to be a voice for the voiceless and the weak. I soon found SPUC.

This is my first time being part of Project Truth and I hope through this experience I can share with people that there are options other than abortion; there is support there for the women who feel lost and there is still value of life.”

Anthonia

I am studying for my doctoral degree in law at the University of Dundee. Before my attendance at the SPUC Youth Conference held in March this year I had no conviction on being pro-life or pro-choice.

“I did not even know about the differing camps, but I signed on to attend the conference out of curiosity.

At the end of the conference, a whole new world with its meaning was revealed to me in its raw state, as the conference did not leave out the grey areas of life happenings. My questions were answered; my fears relieved. I am, without a doubt, pro-life!”

Hannah O’Neill

I’m a year four pharmacy student at Strathclyde University. I have a great interest in science and this has greatly impacted on my opinions regarding abortion.

The healthcare aspect of the abortion debate I find very interesting and I often ask questions to the pharmacists I work with in my Saturday job regarding abortifacients and a pharmacist’s role within the abortion process.

“I have been involved with pro-life groups and have attended pro-life events regularly for many years and I hope that this will help me to engage more successfully with the public during Project Truth.”

Megan

I have just completed my second year studying economics and psychology at the University of Strathclyde, however, after much thought, I have decided to follow my passion for languages and therefore I hope to study Mandarin with another language. Exciting times!

Every day in our society, I feel like we are watching a generation who lack this compassion and empathy for their fellow human beings.

We are seeing people absorbed in their phones, people who no longer communicate with others on the bus or train; ­people brainwashed by a liberal and progressive political movement that is turning us into sheep and stopping us from thinking about what is truly ‘just.’

I feel that this is the case for the topic of abortion, and the pro-choice/pro-life battle is truly one which ultimately boils down to the compassion of the soul.

My interest in pro-life has, I guess, always been around.

I grew up in a Catholic family, went to Church every Sunday, and the concept of someone ending someone’s life to me was nonsensical—even a seven-year-old me could comprehend that this was morally unacceptable.

Progressing into my late teens, I got more involved in the pro-life side of things and again, I found myself wondering why people weren’t being told the truth about the abortion process, what it really is, how it affects our society as a whole.

I was angered and upset—how can adults not grasp that what is happening daily in clinics is the taking of a human life!?

I really think it is absolutely vital to be a witness to this great cause, and to spread the message about preserving life —no matter how small, or how helpless —in a positive and engaging way.

Life is an absolute blessing and it is precious—nobody should have the right to take away from that.

Let these babies have a chance, no matter how short their time here may be.

Abortion should no longer be a taboo. We need to talk about it.

I am delighted to be doing my second Project Truth Roadshow and I hope to see you at our stalls.

Grace

I’m 20 and studying journalism at City of Glasgow College. I have always been very passionate about the pro-life movement, however I only got involved with volunteering this year, when I was presented the opportunity to coordinate a pro-life club within my local primary school.

“This first spout of volunteering encouraged me further in my passion, as I then for the first time attended the pro-life youth conference in March.

This weekend conference provided me with a insight into how rewarding, worthwhile and important pro-life activism is, as engaging with other young people on these issues made me realise the incredible difference and influence this generation can make.

“So, when the opportunity to join Project Truth occurred, I jumped at it!

Project Truth is a fantastic, ­meaningful opportunity that can open up a discussion, explore the value of human life at any stage, and let others know that this society deserves better than abortion.”

Joanna

“I’m 19 years old and I study computer science at the University of St Andrews. I really enjoy my course where I get to program and learn about different coding languages. It’s a great adventure to learn the ins and outs of the internet and other everyday use programs.

I’ve been following my friend’s pro-life beliefs on Facebook for some time and have decided it’s my turn to try and help anyone facing the idea of abortion by reaching out and showing them there are other options.

“This is my first time taking part with Project Truth and I’m really excited to get involved and talk to people about this important issue. I’m especially looking forward to talking to people about the first weeks of pregnancy they don’t know about, such as how much the child has formed.

“Also, I’m looking forward to letting people know what SPUC can do to help them if they don’t have any other ­support. I can’t wait to get on the road.”

Catherine

I am a chemistry student at the University of Strathclyde. I first became involved when I started high school and joined the pro-life group and have taken part in the last three Project Truth Roadshows.

My mum, who has MS, is my inspiration and has always taught me to see the beauty in every single life. Even though there are things she can’t do or struggles with, she still has such joy and true love of life. She doesn’t let anything stop her!

“I am excited to be taking part in the roadshow again, it’s always brilliant!”

Liam

I play cricket and love going to Mass as well as my prayer groups and many Faith-based events.

“I’ve been pro-life my whole life as it’s only natural to have a strong moral opposition to the culture of death. I first got involved with the pro-life movement after hearing about the monthly pro-life Mass on Facebook.

“I was filled with joy to meet many pro-life Catholics like myself. Meeting Louise who works for SPUC Scotland helped me to become part of the ­movement and led to meeting many more people like myself!”

Eden

I am 18 years old and from South London. Last year I went on Project Truth for the first time. I had heard about it from some friends and as I was already very interested in doing active pro-life work I decided to go.

“I can safely say that it was one of the highlights of my year. It was amazing to be with such a large group of people who all were there for one reason: to save innocent lives.

“In the world we live in, where the culture of death has taken over, it is comforting to know that there are people out there who are still fighting it.

“It’s such a huge issue in our society and not enough people are doing all they can to put an end to this injustice.

“For me, it is important to be a voice for the voiceless and help people realise how this destroys both the lives of the mother and the child.

“Last year I had discussions with many people about the humanity of the unborn child and although many of them ended in an agreement to disagree, it was worth it knowing that at the end of the day I had made an impact on someone and maybe planted a seed.

“The team last year had a lot of fun and I have such great memories.

I’m looking forward to joining this year’s team and am excited to go out and stand up for what I believe in—that every person, no matter how small, has the right to life.”

Sean

“I’m 22 and work for the youth office of

Glasgow Archdiocese. This will be my third year doing Project Truth.

“The roadshow has become something very important to me these past few years as it’s opened my eyes to the reality ­facing pro-lifers these days which is that the average person on the street doesn’t know much about the abortion laws or much less the statistics in this country—they just agree with it anyway.

This neglected mentality is something that we need to begin to fix.

“The best way of doing that at a grassroots level is setting up information stalls in the streets and talking to people about it. A lot can be said of a society by the way it treats its most vulnerable, and in an age where, in Scotland alone, abortion claims the lives of more than 200 of the truly defenceless members of our society per week, I want to be on the right side of history and speak up for those whose voices were never to be heard.”

Emma

This is my first Project Truth Roadshow. I’m in the third year of a PhD project at the University of Manchester.

My research project is based in a local hospital, but when I’m allowed to escape, you’ll most likely find me hiking ­somewhere in the Peak District, ­attempting to bake something edible, or spending time with my family.

I’m Catholic and have always been pro-life, but only became actively involved a couple of years ago as I became aware of the barbarity of ­abortion procedures and the sheer ­number of unborn children that have been lost (200,000 per year in the UK).

“That led me to become a member of SPUC to participate in their campaigns, and to join the weekly prayer vigils ­outside of the local clinic (including the 40 Days for Life campaign).

I attended March for Life in

Birmingham this year, which, despite the counter-protests and torrential rain, was one of the best experiences of my life.

I’ve asked to join Project Truth because I want to help to raise awareness about the humanity and right to life of unborn children, and gain skills in pro-life outreach to take back to my city.”

Sara

I am very pleased to be attending my first ever Project Truth Roadshow, especially as it shall be my first ever trip to Scotland.

I am 22 years old, and have just recently graduated from the University of Bath, having read politics and international relations.

From a young age, I have been a strong believer in the sanctity of life, and in the fundamental equal worth of human life irrespective of biological or social characteristics.

It is this that propels me to stand against the brutal injustice that occurs on a daily basis against innocent unborn lives.

There are several ways that I do this, including being an advocate for reducing the abortion limits in England and Scotland, as well by being on the ­student support committee for The Alliance of Pro-life Students that looks to establish and support existing pro-life societies at universities across the United Kingdom.

My youngest brother is severely autistic, but as a family we utterly adore him for the way he is, and would not change him for the world.

He is a blessing from God to us all; one that is loved and cherished by all who meet him. He never fails to have a smile on his face—or put one on others.

My little brother is very precious to me, and has the same equal right to a happy, fulfilling life as anyone else, regardless of whether they may or may not have a disability. I would like to highlight to all the true beauty, love, happiness, intelligence and joy that those with disabilities possess and radiate to all those around them.

They should be viewed as a delight, as people with rights, a life, and dignity, not burdens on society—for this is far from the truth. This is the main perception I wish to change on the ­Project Truth Roadshow.

With others who share my faith in life, I want to promote a culture of life that should permeate into all areas of society, and not one of death as it unfortunately stands in the modern age.

– This year’s Society for the Protection of Unborn Children Scotland Project Truth Roadshow will take place between August 6 and 11. You can follow the pro-life team’s journey on Facebook at: www.fb.com/projecttruthscotland