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It's summer vacation time, but there's no resting until child labor is extinct. If you have been encouraging this campaign, if you have helped in any way, you are not alone. Summertime is a fine time to reflect back on this campaign. This update will remind you or inform you about how we have grown. It has been a team effort all the way. Young people and adults have worked and worked and worked to raise awareness of child labor and to raise funds to establish in Pakistan a "School for Iqbal." It all started when Iqbal Masih visited a middle school classroom in Quincy, Massachusetts on December 2, 1994. The school Iqbal visited is the Broad Meadows Middle School. His visit changed everything. Those students began telling other students near and far about Iqbal's story. The backbone of the "School for Iqbal" campaign is the student who heard Iqbal's story and then DID something to keep alive Iqbal's message of freedom and education for ALL children everywhere. Over 4,000 donations have poured in from students in all 50 states and from other countries as well. The Guest Book lists many student supporters. However, adults have stepped forward, too ! Working together, young people and adults have established a "School for Iqbal" in Kasur, PAKISTAN. This could never have happened without the tremendous work of the "School for Iqbal's" biggest supporters...the big-hearted people of SUDHAAR in Pakistan. SUDHAAR is our partner. SUDHAAR is a non-governmental organization operating for children in the Punjab region of Pakistan. You might be surprised by the adults who have very loudly, very strongly spoken out in favor of "A School for Iqbal," and against forced, abusive child labor. We think you will enjoy reading a partial listing of some of the adults who have helped to make "A School for Iqbal" into a reality ! Adults who've helped BIG TIME include : Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, daughter of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, and Broad Meadows' campaign leaders Amanda Loos and Elizabeth Bloomer , teamed up to tell on TV the story of Iqbal Masih and the story of a "School for Iqbal." Caroline, Amanda and Elizabeth, as guests of the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute, spoke out together in New York City , at the 50th Anniversary of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights , to remind a national TV audience ( live, via satellite TV broadcast) about Iqbal, child labor and every child's right to an education. Susan Sarandon, Academy Award winning actor, co-presented the Reebok Youth-in-Action Human Rights Award to the "School for Iqbal" student campaign leaders. Ms. Sarandon presented the award at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York City. She told the audience all about this campaign. Venus Williams, Wimbledon Tennis Champion, co-presented the Reebok Youth-in-Action Human Rights Award to the "School for Iqbal" student campaign leaders. Ms. Williams along with Ms. Sarandon presented the award at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York City. She told the audience about how Iqbal's visit to the Broad Meadows School and how that visit launched this campaign. Rick Pitino, Head Coach of the Boston Celtics of the NBA ( National Basketball Association) presented the "School for Iqbal" student campaign leaders with a "Team Harmony V Global Activism Award" at the Fleet Center in Boston. Annie, daughter of actor Jamie Lee Curtis , discussed the "School for Iqbal" project with her family after reading about Iqbal Masih in her school. Annie and her family decided to make the "School for Iqbal" campaign their special cause one recent Christmas. United States Senators Edward M. Kennedy and Tom Harkin, both agreed to participate in a "School for Iqbal" inspired TV show called "The Global Sweatshop," which was broadcast on educational TV in 39 states. United States Congressmen Joseph Kennedy, Gerry Studds and William Delahunt all spoke on the floor of the U.S. Congress about Iqbal and "A School for Iqbal." James Sheets, Mayor of the City of Quincy, MA, to support this campaign, passed an executive order prohibiting any city department from purchasing any rugs or carpets unless they can be guaranteed to be made child-labor-free. Ms.Magazine selected student campaign leader Amanda Loos as one of its "21 Young Women to Watch in the 21st Century." Aerosmith, one of the greatest Rock-n-Roll bands of all time, wrote a powerful letter supporting the "School for Iqbal" campaign. R.E.M. lead singer, Michael Stipe, faxed a powerful message of support for the "School for Iqbal" campaign. Danny Siegel, legendary activist and author, offered unwavering support for the students who lead the "School for Iqbal" campaign. His donations of phone, fax, markers, paper, envelopes and pens are incredibly invaluable ! William Jefferson Clinton, President of the United States, wrote a beautiful letter supporting the "School for Iqbal" campaign. Marguerite Murphy read of the "School for Iqbal" campaign and then got involved. Ms. Murphy helped to create expansion of services to the Pakistani children who attend Iqbal's school. Ms. Annette Langer , school nurse ( Strathmore Elementary School, Aberdeen, New Jersey) launched a very successful drive to raise funds for "A Nurse for Iqbal's School." As a result, children who attend Iqbal's school and their families now receive health care ( physicals, vaccines, immunizations, first aid, nutritional information). Authors Susan Kuklin and Dr. David Parker chose to include the stories of Iqbal and "A School for Iqbal" in their respective books : "Iqbal Masih and the Crusaders Against Child Labor," and "Stolen Dreams." Pulitzer Prize Winning photojournalist Stan Grossfeld of The Boston Globe, chose to include the story of Iqbal and "A School for Iqbal" in his book on exploited children titled "Lost Futures." Peggy Simons, wife of former U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Tom Simons, was a constant visitor at the "School for Iqbal" during husband Tom's term as Ambassador in Pakistan. Sandra Feldman, President of the American Federation of Teachers union, included the story of Iqbal and "A School for Iqbal" in a new child labor video for teachers called "Lost Futures : the Problem of Child Labor." Over 1500 copies have been purchased by teachers. The late President of the American Federation of Teachers, Al Shanker, wrote a full column opinion piece in support of "A School for Iqbal." Andrew Young, former Mayor of Atlanta, wrote an opinion piece in the Atlanta Journal Constitution in support of youth activism including support for the "School for Iqbal" campaign. Bob Chase, President of the National Education Association teachers' union, presented the Applegate-Dorros Peace and Global Understanding Human Rights Award to the "School for Iqbal " campaign advisor, an NEA member. The award was presented in Chicago. Patricia Kluge, mega businesswoman of Virginia and New York City, stepped forward to donate the final funds needed to guarantee that the "School for Iqbal" would open in Pakistan. Larry Feldman, President of The Rug Warehouse in New York City, personally provided the funds needed to add a teacher to Iqbal's school. Some importers of carpets, like Larry Feldman, are very committed to ending child carpet slavery. The Union of American Hebrew Congregations presented one of its highest honors, The Eisendrath Bearer of Light Award, to the advisor of the "School for Iqbal" campaign. Nancy Rubin, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Commission on Human Rights, sent her powerful message of support for the "School for Iqbal" project. The Harvard Graduate School of Education selected the "School for Iqbal" campaign leaders to be their Askwith Lecturers. Previous Askwith lecturers included Mel Gibson, Rob Reiner and others. Rick Roth, owner of Mirror Image, Amnesty International legend, has steadfastly encouraged the student leaders of this campaign. Mirror Image, in fact, keeps this web site up and running smoothly, reaching and teaching visitors about Iqbal and child labor. Thanks, too, to Slim the Webmaster ! Those are just some of the adults who have helped. In future updates, we'll list more adult supporters, AND we'll also list our biggest supporters, the young people who have stood as one, determined not to be silenced by the violence of Iqbal's murder. Together, those young people and the adults listed above, have channeled their anger into positive action, into a "School for Iqbal." |
Mirror Image, Inc. and
Broadmeadows Middle School