Pittsburg Middle School Child Labor Awareness Presentations
By: Jeremiah Cook
Updated: March 1, 2013
PITTSBURG, KS.--- Pittsburg Middle School 6th grader Janeen Lara knows exactly what the definition of child labor is, from stories her dad has told her.
"He had to make fireworks. He also said it could be kind of fun, because the fireworks that didn't work, he would get to take them home and use them," states Janeen Lara, 6th Grader, USD 250.
When she and other students decided to make a public presentation on the issue, she chose to research Guatemala. The students compiled facts about child labor in their countries to raise awareness in their community.
"The kids said, 'what can we do?' I said, well, you don't have tons of money, and I don't have tons of money, but we do have a voice. So let's do a project, and let's share it," states Lynette Wescott, Teacher.
The students teamed up with Rapha House. "Rapha House is a ministry that loves, rescues, and heals children out of human slavery and sexual exploitation," states Angela Foster, Rapha House.
Angela Foster says the work they've done is worth more than any awareness campaign they could design.
"They're going to take the word out, and it will just be like wildfire," says Foster.
It's more than just a project for a grade, it's something they'll carry with them for the rest of their lives.
"These kids are now freedom fighters. They know what it takes, they know that it's real, they know that the problem is scary, but that it is real. They want to make a difference," says Foster.
For more information, you can visit the Rapha House's website by clicking here.
"He had to make fireworks. He also said it could be kind of fun, because the fireworks that didn't work, he would get to take them home and use them," states Janeen Lara, 6th Grader, USD 250.
When she and other students decided to make a public presentation on the issue, she chose to research Guatemala. The students compiled facts about child labor in their countries to raise awareness in their community.
"The kids said, 'what can we do?' I said, well, you don't have tons of money, and I don't have tons of money, but we do have a voice. So let's do a project, and let's share it," states Lynette Wescott, Teacher.
The students teamed up with Rapha House. "Rapha House is a ministry that loves, rescues, and heals children out of human slavery and sexual exploitation," states Angela Foster, Rapha House.
Angela Foster says the work they've done is worth more than any awareness campaign they could design.
"They're going to take the word out, and it will just be like wildfire," says Foster.
It's more than just a project for a grade, it's something they'll carry with them for the rest of their lives.
"These kids are now freedom fighters. They know what it takes, they know that it's real, they know that the problem is scary, but that it is real. They want to make a difference," says Foster.
For more information, you can visit the Rapha House's website by clicking here.
