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for an Unforgettable Day Eight years ago this month, December 1994, former child slave Iqbal Masih visited the Broad Meadows Middle School in Quincy, Massachusetts. His visit changed everything for us. Iqbal opened our eyes to the horrors and complexities of forced, abusive child labor. Iqbal also told us of his dream that all children should be free and have an education. We have tried relentlessly to keep that dream alive. (for details see previous UPDATES 1995-2002) To celebrate Iqbal Masih's life and his dream, we had a very busy week to remember the week 8 years ago when tiny Iqbal Masih walked into our classroom like a modern day Oliver Twist. To begin the 8th anniversary week, we were invited guest speakers at an incredibly inspiring school in Newton, MA, called The Rashi School. We told Iqbal's story. Wow! These guys are amazing idealists and activists and they are only in grades K-8 ! Next, we had another guest from Pakistan visit our classroom. She is a Programme Officer in Pakistan working with "Save the Children-UK." She was in America because of child labor work, and she just had to take a side trip to the Broad Meadows Middle School so she could tell us face to face about the success of the "School for Iqbal" in Pakistan. The details are on the 6 pages of this month's December 2002 Update. Wow! Next, Campaign Leaders met to design a "Peace Garden" at our Public Library. The "Peace Garden" will be dedicated to Iqbal Masih and all the poor, working children of the world. Wow! To end the week, the student Campaign Leaders met to plan actions against Disney and Wal-Mart sweatshops in Bangladesh. The Campaign Leaders also discussed suggesting new, international "child-labor-free" labels on all exports and imports. U.S. Senator Tom Harkin is an expert in this area. We will contact him. Whoa! Child labor has many layers, but corporations, consumers, lawmakers, activists all working together can succeed in ending the growing problem of forced, abusive child labor. A bullet can't kill a dream -Student Campaign Leaders The Kids' Campaign : A School for Iqbal Broad Meadows Middle School Quincy, MA USA click here for page 2 click here for page 3 click here for page 4 click here for page 5 click here for page 6 click here for page 7 |
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Broadmeadows Middle School