A SCHOOL FOR IQBAL

Good news !

At the National Holy Name Society Convention held today at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel, three student campaign leaders of the "School for Iqbal" campaign, Elizabeth Bloomer, Mary Bloomer and Laura Bloomer, were presented with the 2001 Humanitarian Award for starting a grass roots youth organization called "Operation Day's Work-USA." Having worked for years on the "School for Iqbal" campaign, these three sisters then co-founded a Massachusetts' chapter of another youth-run, anti-child labor campaign known as Operation Day's Work-USA.

Elizabeth is in grade 11.

Mary is in grade 9.

Laura is in grade 7.

The 2001 Humanitarian Award was presented to the sisters for their work over three years to co-found "ODW" at their schools (Broad Meadows Middle School in Quincy and at Archbishop Williams High School in Braintree).

The presenter noted: "Elizabeth, Mary and Laura have inspired and invited young people to get involved in world issues, especially issues that affect children. Elizabeth, Mary and Laura have had a positive impact on children's lives locally as well as in developing countries such as Haiti, El Salvador and Nepal. These girls have proven that young people are never too young to care or to take action for children. Their years of dedication have truly had an impact locally, nationally and internationally because these sisters have spoken in 2001 at local churches, schools, in the U.S.Congress, and at the UN General Assembly about ways youth can help end the exploitation of poor, working children. They always tell how they helped establish the "School for Iqbal" in Pakistan and now challenge youth to do more by joining "Operation Day's Work-USA."

http://www.odw.info.usaid.gov

Elizabeth, Mary and Laura have shown that young people do have a voice, a voice that has created positive changes in American society as well as in societies across the ocean.

Elizabeth, Mary and Laura accepted the Holy Name's 2001 National Humanitarian Award on behalf of all their "School for Iqbal" and "ODW-USA" fellow campaign workers and on behalf of all the poor, working children of the world who suffer in forced, abusive, child labor and poverty.

Elizabeth, Mary and Laura are recognized for inspiring peers, parishioners, policy makers and educators to do something about child exploitation and poverty.

The awardees often close their speeches with a quote from Mother Theresa who once said: 'We can do no great things. We can only do small things, with great love.' "

The "School for Iqbal" campaign is very proud of members Elizabeth, Mary and Laura Bloomer. If you agree, then follow their lead. Do something today for children.