Profile: Craig Kielburger

There's a trend that I've found in most child and grown-up activists: They have either been in the circumstance they are fighting for or have been exposed to it for a long time.

Ex. Om Prakash, winner of 2006 International Children's Peace Prize, working to combat child labor and slavery, was a former child slave himself.

However, Craig bucks that trend. A typical middle-class Canadian boy, he read an article one day about a boy named Iqbal Masih who had been brutally murdered for speaking about his experiences as a former child laborer. Craig was inspired and formed a group in his school, the beginnings of Free the Children.

In 1995, Craig toured the slums of India, finding child labor, slavery, and lack of education present all throughout. Camera in hand, Craig got back and publicized his video, shooting him to fame. In partner with the Oprah Winfrey Network, Free the Children has now become the much-touted "largest organization of children helping children around the world." That's pretty impressive.

Craig has received numerous awards and accolades, but he keeps modest all the time. He gets his hands dirty in building schools for children, administers vaccines and clean water/sanitation to children himself, and does so much more ground work. I admire him and hope to help the world as he has done someday.

Please check out the website and their numerous campaigns and ways to get involved:
freethechildren.com

Sweatshop?

Sorry, my brain is still struggling to get off the ground after a particularly grueling series of final exams.

I'll content you with a light blog post today. Apple's latest hit game - Sweatshop, putting you in the role of a clothing manufacturer in a poor country, making paraphernalia for rich, western foreigners. 

Guided by the advice of Boy ( representing the workers ) and Boss - You know how bosses are - the player arranges workers ( towers ) and support devices ( toilets, water coolers, etc. ) along a conveyor belt. It's a twisted angle on a popular tower defense game.

Different workers have different strengths and weaknesses - From children, slow but cheap, to specialist hat and bag makers and from there to robots, who are faster and less likely to bleed after industrial accidents.

I like this game because I think despite being slightly frivolous, it delivers a powerful message and is a great way to spread awareness about the issue of child labor. At the same time I feel like it was a bit crude and made light of a very serious issue. I would love to hear your thoughts on this game...

It's back next week with a Profile: Craig Kielburger, Free the Children!

Children Making A Difference

I have always asked myself the question: How Can I help? How do I make a difference?

And when I read about some of the incredible initiatives that children like me have organized, I am awed at the courage and dedication these kids demonstrate in the cause they have picked.

Eight weeks ago, as you all know, Malala was shot - For refusing to obey the Taliban's order of no girls in schools. She showed incredible bravery in standing up against a worldwide terrorist organization that has threatened the United States itself. All around the world children wore headbands and shirts campaigning for education; By January a petition signed by nearly one million Pakistani out-of-school children demanding the opportunity for education will be presented to the Prime Minister.

Only a few days ago a raid took place in New Delhi, freeing tens of children working to produce Christmas decorations in shops - Their goal was to challenge adultish complacency about education for all children. A children's march, made up of 100 rescued child laborers, will take place on Saturday, commencing a 300 km walk to raise attention and awareness for this issue.

 The promise of the American dream and globalization is for all children to have the hope of following their dreams, of getting a quality education. Adults are not acting fast enough. So we kids will shoulder the burden. For as small as we are, in size and experience - we make up for it in determination and idealism. Us kids can make a huge difference in this world.

A Victory in the Child Labor Battle

A rare victory in the fight against child labor....

Nearly 400 children were freed from bonded labor in West Africa by the African base of Interpol. 73 people suspected of child labor and trafficking were arrested and questioned.

What really amazed me was kids as young as 6 working deep in gold mines and cotton fields, being sexually and physically abused. They were found in narrow, airless mining holes, with no pay and no education. If no rescue had occurred, what would have happened to them?

Gold  mining is huge in Africa, and children are used as quick and cheap labor. They slip down dozens of meters (yards) into mine shafts as narrow as manholes, or pound chunks of dirt and rub mercury in their hands to attract gold out of it.

The UN has declared mining one of the worst forms of labor, and are doing all they can to stop it. We give our hearts to those who were rescued and the millions of kids in West Africa who are still in labor.