Submitted photo Fredonia resident Bobby Wise set off on a six-week journey earlier this week that will include traveling to Poland and Ukraine as part of a documentary series he’s making.

As part of his initiative to end bullying, Fredonia resident Bobby Wise is taking his message of peace and happiness to some of the places in the world that need it most.

Starting this week, Wise began what will be a nearly two-month stay that will consist of him going to Poland before making his way to the Ukraine as part of a documentary series he’s making.

“I want to show students that you can stand up to bullies even if it may seem a bit scary,” Wise said. “Whether it’s someone at school or the ruler of a different country, you have the power to change.”

Wise will be spending his time in sanctuary cities along the way, before staying in Krakow providing humanitarian aid and organizing youth activities for people over there. Wise began bullying prevention activities 10 years ago, which he believes will translate to people even overseas.

“We’re trying to build a way for students to connect around the world,” Wise said. “Everything I do with people out there I’ll come back here and replicate with students here, while showing them the docu-series so they can start seeing there’s more than just the town out there and that it’s OK to explore.”

Wise said he’s been using DuoLingo to learn some of the language before going overseas, and will be writing a weekly commentary based on his experiences. Wise said he’s a bit nervous about the venture but feels prepared for the opportunity.

“Where I’ll be stationed is about 12 miles from where a military base was bombed,” Wise said. “One of the cities I’m going to, Przemysl, is a hotspot where refugees are fleeing Ukraine and offloading into Portland. … It’s an eye-opening experience but I feel like I’ve prepared for this my entire life. It’s bittersweet because it’s an utter atrocity but sweet that it feels like I’m about to begin my career and help people like I’ve always wanted.”

Each week, Wise will have a different theme, including “End Bullying, Just Dance,” “Throw Glitter, Not Bombs,” and “Your Voice Matters.” Wise will be bringing things like a boom box and art supplies to help spread some positivity to a place that greatly needs it.

“As the current situation in Ukraine has targeted the most vulnerable, the only thing I know to do is to try and bring a smile through this utter tragedy,” he said.

Wise will be providing this material to students after he gets back in the form of an after-school, volunteer-based program. It will be hosted in a separate space, launching in September, and will have two meetings a month people can attend. Wise has run similar after-school programs before in Silver Creek and has had people from ages 12-21 attend, which helps build a sense of family.

“The material we cover are things that happen to people,” Wise said. “We talk about equality and talk about awareness with how people are feeling. … One of the ways to help end bullying is to allow for people to feel like they aren’t alone.”

Wise said his goal is to develop a program that can be easily replicated across the country and world, regardless of how much funding can be acquired. He just wants people to be able to participate in similar programming in an equal fashion.

“The goal first is to bring smiles then to help build more of an understanding with the community and world around us,” Wise said. “We don’t get a chance to see different cultures and ways of life up close and I’d love for our students to grow up open minded and passionate to others.”

Wise set off for his six-week journey earlier this week, and is expected to return in early June. Wise’s website, where his contact information can also be found, is dreamkeepers.tv.