Regina High School Chapter
of Free the Children
Moderator: Mrs. F. Berger
An international organization
for those exploited for other’s gain.
Come and join us at our next meeting.
Listen for announcements.
We meet at: 7:25 AM OR 2:45 PM
Visit the Free the Children International Website
http//www.freethechildren.org Or you can e-mail them at freechild@clo.comOr, if you aren't into virtual communication, write, call, or fax them at:
|
Free The Children |
| 1750 Steeles Avenue West |
| Suite 218 |
| Concord, Ontario L4K 2L7 |
| Telephone: (905) 760-9FTC |
| Fax: (905) 760-9157 |
Since Free the Children is an organization and not a club, you can join any time you like. Don’t worry if you haven’t come to one before or if you miss a few. We are open to all.
Free the Children is an international organization that has received many achievements since it's founding less than a decade ago. It executes its actions to help children with the utmost humility and sincerity. Since it is an organization for children that is run by children, it gives us a chance to do something for our peers based on our own beliefs and convictions. We decide what is important to us. As members of free the children, we have declared that children around the world are important and that they too deserve a chance for a future.
PROJECTS AND ACTIONS
International Projects
Alternative Incomes Program
: Working in partnership with the Society for Education and Development, Free the Children, is raising funds to help families in two rural districts of Tamil Nadu, India. This project is providing aid to over 6000 people (1450) families), including 100 children who were formerly working in the gem cutting industry. In each year of the project, 40 families are provided with cows and sewing machines. This permanent source of income enables parents to send their children to school and empowers the women of the community by giving them the means by which to improve the socio-economic status.In addition, Free the Children has purchased ten acres of arable land for farming in Nicaragua, as well as essential farming equipment, enabling fifteen families to produce their own food. This farming cooperative is designed to empower the women of the community and to provide and alternative source of food and income, thus allowing children to attend school rather than begging or working for a living.
School and Health Kits Campaign: Free the Children intends to collect and distribute 100,000 individual health and school kits by 2001. A lack of funds is one reason why thousands of children are denied and education, as they cannot purchase the basic necessities to attend school. The school and health kits provide underprivileged children with essential items for education and personal hygiene. Free the Children has already collected and distributes over 5000 kits in India, Kenya, South Africa, the Philippines and Nicaragua.
Building Schools Program: Free the Children id building primary schools in rural areas of developing nations to allow these children to receive the education that is their fundamental right. Five schools are currently under construction in Nicaragua. Free the Children intends to build 100 schools by 2001.
In addition, FTC India in operative several schools for street children, child laborers and children from rural areas.
Kosovo Campaign: In response to the desperate circumstances of the Kosovar refugees, Free the Children has worked with school systems in Austria, Canada and the U.S. to collect health kits, baby items, clothing and stuffed animals for the refugees. The donations are currently being distributed to refugees both in Canada and overseas.
Leadership Development and Training Programs
Futures for Youth: Free the Children runs a six-month training program for youth between the ages of 18 and 30. Fifteen unemployed low-income youth receive leadership training and employment skills. As they develop these skills, the youth design and implement a training program for resource poor children ranging from 10 to 14 years of age.
Summer Leadership Camp: In July and August, Free the Children runs a summer leadership camp, during which children receive training in leadership skills, human rights issues, and community involvement while enjoying traditional camp activities such as art, drama and a variety of sports.
Saturday Program: This leadership/community awareness program for children between the ages of 10 and 15 is held over a period of six Saturdays. Children learn basic leadership skills and gain hands-on experience in community volunteerism.
In-School Training Sessions- FTC works with clusters of schools to organize one-day leadership training sessions for students in grades 4 to 10.
Actions
Child Pornography Petition: FTC Canada has commenced a petition campaign seeking to reverse the recent legalization of child pornography in British Columbia.
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child: FTC USA has launched a petition campaign to persuade the U.S. government to sign and ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The United States and Somalia are the only two countries, which have not signed this Convention.
Rescuing Children for Trafficking: FTC India had been working to eliminate the trafficking of Indian children to the Middle East for the purposes of camel jockeying and other forms of enslavement. As a result of the organization's efforts, the President of India has pledged to send a representative the Saudi Arabia to negotiate the release of enslaved children.
Promoting the Rights of Children: FTC Mexico has been organizing numerous activities to help street and working children and to promote the rights of children as outlined in UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Carpet Weaving Action: FTC Germany is actively promoting the 'Rugmark' label and encouraging consumers to consciously purchase products free of child labor. By renting a loom and asking people to attempt to weave a portion of a carpet, FTC Germany is helping individuals to experience firsthand the tremendous difficulty and strain of this task, which is forced upon so many children.
Child Labor Petition: FTC Brazil has launched a petition campaign to persuade the President to eliminate child labor. In the meantime, FTC Brazil has initiated a literacy program with volunteer teachers for children working in the sisal and sugar cane plantations.
Designed by Melissa Andres