Students at the Weyburn Comprehensive School are getting to know each other a little better this week. Presenter Phil Boyte of Learning for Living runs a program called Breaking Down The Walls to help students connect with one another.

The program puts kids in groups with others who they would not normally hang out with. Through activities and games, the students get to learn a little about one another, in hopes to make some friends and understand each other better.

Boyte travels all across North America with his program in hopes of making a difference in schools. He believes a lot of times kids are unaware of the struggles of other kids all around them.

"I think so many times we think we're the only one. 'My parents are going through a divorce, or I just got a bad grade, or I got cut from the sports team,' and then we start talking to other people and say 'oh, you too,'" Boyte said. "This whole "Me Too" revolution with Women's Rights – well with kids, it's more of a "You Too." They think they're the only one who is going through something tough and think, 'I can make it because you're making it.' So often they only know five or six kids and the rest are acquaintances. This gives them a chance to know more than that." 

Although it is difficult for some kids to open up about such private matters, Boyte has a routine that can work with just about anyone.

"There's a philosophy we believe in: play, trust, learn. If we play together, then we start to relax, then we start to laugh and trust each other. Then I can learn. The students are playing a game and they're like, 'what's the point?' When we play together we trust, and when we trust we learn."

Kids have shared stories of depression and anxiety, as well problems at home including divorce or abuse in the household. It's a very emotional environment, and yet kids are rarely shy to open once they learn about the struggles their peers are going through. Boyte and some of the other teachers at the Comp believe it's great for them to understand they're not the only one with problems going on inside or outside of school.

The program isn't necessarily designed to help students make friends, but more about understanding one another. Boyte hopes when they see each other in the halls after the sessions, they'll have a greater understanding of what their fellow students have been through and maybe give them a smile. 

"One of the themes we use is, it's hard to hate someone whose story you know," he said. "So let's get to know people's stories. I may never become friends with you, but I'll become friendly. That's all we're hoping for."