Heather Ruple, a faculty member at the San Miguel School in Providence seen
here with students from the school, provided this report on the Lasallian4Kids
Day.During the weeks before May 15, the student body focused on the issues and problems facing children around the world. Lasallian Youth researched statistics and presented stories and facts about the issues facing children. One of the amazing effects of the experience for me was the struggle our young men went through. For example, they know they want Nike shoes, but they don't want children making them in unfair conditions. Our students began to ask critical questions and really struggled with many issues many adults don't want to think about. They dealt with serious problems like child soldiers, poverty and the exploitation of children with a maturity that impresssed the faculty and staff at the school.
Lasallian Youth from Providence drafted a petition asking for the United States to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child and started planning for an assembly at the State Capitol. With the help of Brother Fred Mueller, Director of Education for the LINE District, and Brother Michael Reis State Senator Thomas Izzo and State Representative David Cicilline were contacted. Both individuals agreed to draft resolutions recommending that Rhode Island's Senators and Congressmen urge Congress to ratify the Convention. Senator Izzo hossted a press conference in the rotunda of the Rhode Island State House. A representative from three Lasallian Schools in Providence spoke about their school's efforts regarding the Rights of the Child. Brother Dan Casey, Visitor of the LINE District, was present at the assembly. The Providence Journal covered the event. Resolutions in both the House and the Senate passed that day. The petition and a student pledge read at the press conference are enclosed below:
Petition:
May 7, 2000
To the United States Senators and Congressmen of Rhode Island:
The Lasallian Youth Group at San Miguel School Providence, RI, wrote the following petition:
We, the students, faculty, and staff at San Miguel School in Providence, RI, urge the Congress of the United States to ratify the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child.
All children regardless of race, sex, country of origin or financial status deserve rights. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child will guarantee our country's commitment tot he basic rights of children, such as health care, a safe home, the right to education and survival.
We feel that as a society we should be moving forward rather than backwards. Ratifying this Convention would be a step in the right direction. As a Lasallian Institution we cannot stand and watch discriminative atrocities in our country and our world. In representation of the two billion children and one million Lasallian students in the world, we stand in solidarity as a sign of our commitment to the Rights of the Child.
We ask our Senators and Representatives to carry our petition and signatures to Washinton, DC.
_______________________________________ _______________________________________
_______________________________________ _______________________________________
Pledge Example:
I pledge allegiance to the two million children on this earth who, like me, want a voice; a voice to speak up for their rights, a voice to protect them. We need one special that could solve all of their problems, together we can be this voice. We all must SPEAK UP!