Presentation by Mark Little to the Rotary Club of Diss & District 6 January 2015 The use of Children as Slaves

Children are being used as slaves all over the world

For Hire

“No one shall be held in slavery or servitude. Slavery & the Slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms” (Article 4 UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights) (Article 4 UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

Rotary International’s stance on “Slavery” ? Main aims of the RAG Main aims of the RAG 1.Raise awareness of the existence of slavery. 2.Encourage and help Rotarians to support, promote and work with anti-slavery groups with programmes, campaigns and projects that help to protect children from slavery and its consequences Why is the above important ?

RI’s Code of Policies Rotarians should Defend the rule of law and order to preserve the liberty of the individual so that all may enjoy freedom of thought, speech and assembly, freedom from persecution and aggression and freedom from want and fear.Defend the rule of law and order to preserve the liberty of the individual so that all may enjoy freedom of thought, speech and assembly, freedom from persecution and aggression and freedom from want and fear. Uphold the principles of justice for humankind, realizing that these are fundamental and must be worldwide.Uphold the principles of justice for humankind, realizing that these are fundamental and must be worldwide.

So what are the main challenges which this new RAG will have to address ?

The extent of the problem facing the RAG ?

Cheap and Disposable

Boys working in a Brazilian Charcoal Camp

Child Slaves in a Cocoa Plantation on the Ivory Coast

Working in a carpet factory in India

Child Slavery in India

HURO HAS JUST BEEN RESCUED FROM A CARPET FACTORY AFTER 5 YEARS OF SERVITUDE

Slaves are controlled by violence

Rehabilitating the Survivors Rehab Centres visited Rotary can help here The children when rescued are broken… Rehab Centres – few in number

VEHICLE COLLECTED FROM DEALERSHIP IN ALLAHABAD & DRIVEN TO BAL VIKAS ASHRAM – 17 NOV 2010

WITH THE BOYS OF BAL VIKAS ASHRAM – NOV 2010

Construction of a bio gas oven at Punarnawa Ashram Purnea, Bihar, India, Nov 2010

Rescue Mission for Children Centre, Mae Suai, Thailand 14 May 2012

Vocational Courses (fish principle) (fish principle) Photos taken at Mukti Ashram Mukti Ashram Balika Ashram Balika Ashram Bal Vikas Ashram Bal Vikas Ashram Punarnawa Ashram Punarnawa Ashram

BICYCLE REPAIR WORKSHOP BVA

The girls of Punarnawa Ashram showing me their sewing skills – Nov 2010

LEARNING HOW TO MAKE CANDLES – PUNARNAWA ASHRAM SHELTER FOR TRAFFICKED GIRLS – Nov 2010

Several of the children I have met have particularly harrowing stories to tell.

How to help in the fight against Child Slavery Join with others who have the same aim Raise awareness in others Persuade your club to participate in a project Obtain support at District level Give or organize presentations Visit local schools Give a personal donation

Reasons for RAG Increase in number of child slaves worldwide Increase in number of child slaves worldwide Publicity – we need to tell people Publicity – we need to tell people Anti-slavery organisations need our support Anti-slavery organisations need our support Rotarians may be involved so need to remind members of their ethical responsibilities Rotarians may be involved so need to remind members of their ethical responsibilities RI Board was reluctant to take a lead RI Board was reluctant to take a lead Only option left for those who want to help Only option left for those who want to help

Conclusions

“PLEASE.. PLEASE… HELP US TO GET OUT OF HERE

Presentation by Mark Little to the Rotary Club of Diss & District 6 January 2015 The use of Children as Slaves