Teens to tackle child labor abuses

The 16-year-old high school student from Connecticut is founder of her state's chapter of Free the Children, an international youth organization that works to protect children from exploitation and abuse.

Free the Children was founded in 1995 by then 12-year-old Craig Kielburger of Toronto. He was moved when he read a newspaper article about the death of a 12-year-old Pakistani boy who was sold into slavery when he was four. He escaped when he was 10 but was murdered two years later for speaking out about child labor.

Global problem

"There are over 250 million children working in the world," she told a group of youth gathered at St. Joseph's Provincial House in Latham last Sunday. "This doesn't include industrialized countries or domestic workers. Child labor is wrong. It should not happen in our country, and it should not happen in other countries. In other circumstances, these are kids we could be friends with."

As part of her efforts to put an end to child labor, the teenager has traveled around the country raising awareness about the issue.

U.N. treaty

The United States, Miss English explained is one of only two countries that have not ratified the document. Somalia, because it does not have an internationally recognized government and cannot ratify international treaties, is the other.

While in Washington, Miss English met with Senator Jesse Helms, chairman of the committee examining the treaty. "It's been sitting on his desk," she said. "He's been holding it up. He said the government shouldn't dictate [these things.] It's up to the parents."

Miss English and the Connecticut chapter of the Free the Children have been engaged in a petition drive and letter-writing campaign that would encourage the Senate to ratify the treaty.

Impressions of India

"Going to India was like learning about the issue all over again," she told the local youth. "There were girls coming up to me begging. It's not something you ever get used to."

Begging, she explained, is an industry in India. Children turn in the money they collect to an adult who will feed them. But they are often underfed because an unhealthy child can collect more from begging than a healthy one. Miss English met a girl who had her leg broken by her boss so that she could collect more. The girl is now permanently crippled.

Local efforts

The group of local youth decided after meeting with her and watching a documentary on child labor to form a local chapter of Free the Children.

Janet Buonanno, an eighth grader at Troy's Catholic Central High School said, "It's hard to think about. We take things for granted. It's hard to imagine what's happening to those kids."

She was moved by the documentary which showed a young girl in India working in a pile of used syringes. Her job was to separate the needles from their plastic holders so that the plastic could be recycled and sold. Barefoot and without gloves, she sorted the needles, pricking herself daily. "That can't be happening," Miss Buonanno said.

Standing up

Classmate Cristy Yager agreed. "It's awful," she said. "People don't take the extra step. We need people to stand up and take that step."

Both Holy Names students admit they have nothing to complain about when they compare their lives to those of young people in other countries. "I have no right to think that I've had a hard day," Miss Yager said. "I'm a queen compared to them."

"You do feel guilty," Miss Santiago said. "I'm sitting on a leather couch, watching cable television and drinking a cold soda."

Sweatshop apparel

Miss Yager tries to purchase sweatshop free apparel. "I've already started thinking about it while shopping," she said.

Miss Santiago agreed, noting: "Brand names have become so important. Because of that, they've gotten away [with sweatshop abuses.]"

Sheri-Anne Sealy, a junior at Poughkeepsie High School, said she also is careful about her clothing purchases. "Someone might be working for nothing," she said. "I started looking at labels to see if they were made by kids in sweatshops."

(The meeting was facilitated by representatives from the New York State Labor-Religion Coalition. Sister Alethea Ann Connolly, CSJ, of the Office of Housing and Social Policy for the Sisters of Saint Joseph, also participated. Her office will provide assistance and meeting space to the local chapter of Free the Children. To join the local chapter, call 459-5400, ext. 6552. For more information on Free the Children, visit their website at www.freethechildren.org.)

(02-11-99) [[In-content Ad]]