A SCHOOL FOR IQBAL
11/96 Update

Much has been happening! We have seen very generous donations come in from Rhino Records (big cash donation), from The Rug Ware House of New York City (The Rug Ware House is paying one teacher's salary yearly, forever!) and from Jamie Lee Curtis (My Girl and True Lies co-star)! The American Federation (AFL-CIO) of Teachers (900,000 members) has endorsed our campaign. In fact, AFT President Albert Shanker wrote an tire column about "A School for Iqbal" in the Sept.22, 1996, Sunday New York Times.

Two "School for Iqbal" campaign leaders were invited guests at The Child Labor Coalition's Biennial Child Labor Conference held in Washington, DC this Fall. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich gave the keynote speech during which he briefly cited young activists for recognition. Secretary Reich named "School for Iqbal" student leaders Amanda Loos and Amy Papile as well as Freethe Children founder Craig Kielburger of Toronto.

Our BIG NEWS is that "The School for Iqbal" is proceeding very nicely. A principal and teachers for the school have been hired, parents are being educated about its opening, children (boys and girls, Muslims and Christians) are being signed up! The renovations are happening. Community members are donating services and materials. Books and curriculum are nearly in place. The dream is becoming a reality.

Here's an update on its establishment :

• Sudhaar, a grass roots NGO based in Lahore, Pakistan, is the group building the "School for Iqbal." Sudhaar will use the money donated (about $100,000) to build a school in Iqbal's memory for 200 of the most disadvantaged working children of the Punjab region (where Iqbal was born).
• Sudhaar will also provide credit to 50 Punjab families so they can buy back children they sold into bondage.
• Finally, Sudhaar will establish the Iqbal Masih Education Foundation which will take over all of the daily operating expenses of the school beginning the third year. So, you see, there will be a school for Iqbal, and a hell of a lot more.

We have received donations from schools, from groups, from churches and from individuals in all 50 states and from 20 countries.

So, you can see, THERE WILL BE A SCHOOL FOR IQBAL! Congratulations to us all. We will not only build a school but we will also be building hope for children still in bonded labor. Thanks to each and every person of every age who has helped. This is so cool. A bullet cannot kill a dream.

This campaign began when kids and you decided we could not be silent about child bonded labor (child slavery). We really made some noise ! We lifted a chorus of voices against child bonded labor.

Friends who ask how they can help could consider:

1. a simple donation
   
2. appreciate the educational opportunities you inherited... appreciate your classroom seat by using it to the max every period of every day
   
3. look at labels ... check out the story behind imported products... are they made in countries where child labor exists ? Be an informed buyer. Ask local carpet store managers to tell you about their policy buying carpets from countries where child labor exists. Our actions as consumers can keep alive the horrendous practice of child bonded labor or our actions can increase the pressure to discourage and ultimately abolish child bonded labor.
   
4. check out the FRANK-HARKIN BILL which would make a law requiring imports to be child labor free (CONG. Barney Frank's office could mail you materials) (SEN. HARKIN is from IOWA).
   
5. Spread the word!

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