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As a Youth Human Rights
Activist I was introduced to the issue of child labor at the age of 10
and since then have been educating others as well as myself on this
tragic issue.
Over the years in ways to
raise money, I, along with some of my school mates have had lock-ins,
can drives, bake sales, and change jars. I, on my own, have written
numerous letters to state and government leaders. I’ve done odd jobs
around the house and community, giving all that I earned to help raise
money. For the past four years the only thing that has been on my
Christmas and Birthday lists are donations to Free the Children (an
organization against child labor run by youth). I received generous
donations from all family members. I have tried to do some major
charity events in my community such as a walk as a way to raise money
but my community officials would not authorize such an event because I
was only 12 and they didn’t think I was competent enough. At that
point I felt as though I was fighting a battle on my own and know one
would help me, but I knew I mustn’t give up. I have to keep fighting
this war between my community superiors until they see my side.
I don’t have a specific area
of focus because I believe the whole issue needs to be focused on. I
believe the countries could give more money to promote education and
medical care for all children. The industries need to give more money
to all workers so the adults can provide for the family while the
children attend school instead of the children working to provide
basic family needs. The countries need to enforce the laws they
already have set on child labor and if none are set then they need to
set some.
Some of my leadership
opportunities include being selected to participate in a Global Issues
Conference where we made bills (laws) on leading world issues. I
passed a bill on child labor; the bill was to make child labor
strictly forbidden in all countries. It provided schooling and medical
care to all children and families. Although I knew the bill would
never really go into effect I felt a great sense of accomplishment and
pride.
In my community, Iowa City,
Iowa, I was awarded, by our Mayor Lehman the Citizenship Award for
most valuable youth citizen, for my sense of responsibility and
helpfulness to others.
I have brought up the issue
many times in class which has initiated several class discussions
which has helped educate many of my peers. When my peers and I raised
enough money to build a school in a developing country through Free
the Children I got to have a personal conversation with the founder of
the organization Craig Kielburger.
My participation in the
Children’s World Congress on Child Labor would give me more
wherewithal to prove to my community superiors that youth have the
stamina and wisdom to understand and fight for such a tragic and
difficult issue. It would give me more of an idea of how other youth
feel and what their ideas are on this issue. Then I could come back to
my community to educate them on other opinions and ideas, not just my
own. In my research I feel as though I know some of the children
themselves, yet I feel as though something is missing.
I would be greatly honored to
meet them, hear their stories, and see what they want to be done on
this issue.
It is in my hopes that in the
future child labor will be completely abolished. Every child will have
and equal opportunity to get an education and proper medical care.
This battle on child labor will be a battle I will fight for forever
no matter what obstacles
I may encounter. This movement with the
Children’s World Congress can be a powerful step in our fight
against child labor.
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