CHALLENGE TO CHANGE 200720072007-2007---2008200820082008 CHALLENGE TO CHANGE, a development education project aimed at young people attending Presentation primary and post-primary schools, seeks to: • raise awareness • bring about a greater understanding of global inequality • allow young people see the impact of a changing global environment • empower them by exploring ways in which their actions at local level can impinge for the better on issues such as injustice, human rights, fair trade, racism and exploitation. By informing the students and the wider community the project will bring about a heightened awareness, a social consciousness and a broader vision and appreciation of developmental issues. The vision of the project is driven by the Presentation charism and ethos which embraces the challenge of working with those who are marginalised and excluded, for whatever reason. Justice, human rights, social justice and promoting right relationships are central to the Presentation mission. Collaboration with the Presentation network through linkages with Presentation schools abroad is encouraged. Every day we read in the papers and see on television how our world continues to be unequal and unjust. Our young people are becoming increasingly aware of this injustice. Many of our students would welcome a chance to raise awareness of global inequality and to play a part in making our world a better one for all its citizens. Challenge to Change seeks to harness the energy, enthusiasm and goodwill of these young people as they endeavour, through local action, to make a difference at global level. We thank all our students, teachers, co-ordinators, Principals, parents and all associated with the many projects for their active involvement and participation. We hope this booklet in some way acknowledges their commitment, dedication and hard work. Finally, we thank our funders, Irish Aid, Department of Foreign Affairs and Presentation Trustees. In partnership with our schools, we look forward to making a difference for the sixth successive year with Challenge to Change 2008-2009 . ““Deeds, not words” - Nano Nagle ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Presentation Education Office 1 Challenge to Change 2007-8 Women and CHILDREN --- THE MOST UNEQUAL OF ALL Presentation Secondary School Ballingarry Students at Presentation Secondary the 200th anniversary of the abolition of School Ballingarry are never afraid to slavery we are shocked that this new accept a challenge and this year was no form of slavery is thriving all over Europe. different as a group of Fifth Year Ireland is no exception. students along with their teacher, Mrs. Teresa Regan, opted to explore the tragic SOME STARTLING FACTS issue of trafficking of women and • 2 million girls aged between 5 and 15 children with special emphasis on the are coerced, abducted, sold or trafficking of children into the sex trafficked into the ILLEGAL sex industry. This project, run in conjunction trade every year with the Presentation Education Office, • Over 800,000 women and girls are examined areas of injustice. trafficked into Europe every year • Ireland is recognised as a transit and SO WHY DID STUDENTS EMBARK ON destination country for trafficking SUCH A CHALLENGING ISSUE? women and children As a school rooted in a Christian ethos we • Over 300 children in the care of the are deeply committed to social justice and H.S.E. have gone missing in Ireland. to raising awareness on issues of injustice. Therefore, in this the 21st Where is the campaign to find century when we should be celebrating these children? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Presentation Education Office 2 Challenge to Change 2007-8 Our project linked up with the Cork Sex trafficked women, of the abuses, the Trafficking Campaign. We invited their hurt and the fear they experience. She Director, Ms Mary Crilly, to visit our called on our group to raise awareness and school and address our Fifth Year to campaign that our Criminal Justice Bill students. Ms Crilly’s presentation was 2006 be amended to include a both informative and challenging. She comprehensive legal response to the spoke of the vulnerability of these needs of the victims of trafficking. (Tipperary Star) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Presentation Education Office 3 Challenge to Change 2007-8 Students at Presentation Secondary students in the school to take part in a School Ballingarry were shocked and questionnaire to research how much they determined to do what they could to raise were aware of this issue. They also awareness of this issue. highlighted some very frightening true- life stories of some of the women who The students did some research on this were victims of trafficking. Two of the issue and compiled a display on the facts groups set up a Bebo page. Petitions to surrounding trafficking. They highlighted have this issue addressed at government that “sex trafficking is modern day level were distributed. slavery”. They then invited senior HOW WIDESPREAD IS TRAFFICKING? • 56% suffered post-traumatic stress • An estimated 2.4 million people are disorder currently in forced labour, including • 38% experienced suicidal thoughts sexual exploitation as a result of • 95% suffered from depression trafficking • Some experts estimate that sex Our project may be over but our work has trafficking accounts for 80% of all only begun. We hope to have an trafficking awareness day in Kilkenny in September and we hope that our project will help SO WHAT IS THE IMPACT ON people realise that the horrible truth WOMEN? behind our sex industry “isn’t sexy”. A medical study of some women and children entering care following If you would like to join our campaign log trafficking found that onto our Bebo page at stopsextrafficking • 95% reported physical and sexual /bebo or sign an online petition at violence [email protected] CoCoCo-Co---ordinator:ordinator: Teresa Regan ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Presentation Education Office 4 Challenge to Change 2007-8 CHILD SLAVERY ––– ANCIENT PAST OR MODERN REALITY? Presentation Primary School Maynooth AIMS AND GOALS The aim of the project was to raise awareness in the school and in the community of global inequality in terms of Child Labour. The children realised the impact of the reality of this problem and saw how lucky they are. They became aware of how important it is to embrace “Aoibhinn Beatha an Scoláire”, our school motto. TARGET GROUP: School community and local community ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Presentation Education Office 5 Challenge to Change 2007-8 ACTIONS is just very cruel.” (Sixth class pupil) • Read background information • Use historical references WHAT WORKED WELL? • Assimilate data The diverse talent among the children and • Create Powerpoint presentation their total dedication to the project and • Write to external agencies willingness to be proactive. • Source information from internet POSITIVE IMPACT OUTCOME OF THE PROJECT • The energy and enthusiasm of the girls “What amazes me is that children and their parents for the project aged 4 to 8 had to open and close • The practical suggestions to include a doors in the mines to let in the air. Fair Trade polo shirt as part of our Orphans worked in factories, didn’t get paid anything because they were uniform orphans. If a child died in the mines • Asking the question when we buy they would be just left there. If a fashion garments “Is this garment child fell asleep while they were stained with the sweat of a child?” working they would be beaten with • We included everybody thick ropes with knots in it.” (Sixth • Respect, understanding and a thorough class pupil) knowledge • Our staff was in awe of the work at a WHAT ASPECTS OF CHILD LABOUR staff meeting AFFECTED YOU MOST? “Well the fact that young children our age, and younger, would work in factories with no education. I couldn’t picture myself working in a factory. I think the idea of the whole thing is awful and cruel. Also the fact that the overseers beat the children of the ages of six and seven with a thick rope with knots or a belt ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Presentation Education Office 6 Challenge to Change 2007-8 MY CHILD I watched my child climb down that hole, I watched her come up again, I saw her life, her courage, her strength, her love fade away, I longed to take her in my arms, And take the pain away, I yearned to love and comfort her to show how much I care, But I know it would have been in vain for her life was cold and miserable, Day after day she climbed down that hole, Till at last she came home no more, I wished I’d taken the chance to love, comfort and cherish her, I wish I’d shown how much I’d cared, And now my chance is gone. HER LIFE Every night she dreads the day to come Every day she dreads the work to do Her blackened face is the image haunting her dreams The crack of the whip is the sound awakening her in a cold sweat The moans and groans of friends and family are common to her ears The shrieks of little children do not intrigue her The snap of the trap door is routine The freshness of air is the only thing keeping her alive. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________