As an activist and writer, one who focuses on issues that face children, but with a passion and concentration on modern day slavery, I live and work in a world that is full of stories of the worlds most heinous and shocking crimes against humanity.  Often I am asked how do you do it…how do you cope with the terrors of such violence.  Well first of all I am one of the lucky ones for the true heroes and ones to commend are those who live daily in the face of such violence and trauma.  However, it is true that working with survivors, researching and studying such violent trauma and the pressures to create change and assist those in need, surely takes its toll.  Nonetheless the stresses that come with such work, for myself, and anyone working in the field, are quickly overcome by the stories of empowerment, hope, success and often just inspiring another to work for change.

As the Founder and Executive Director of a newly established non-profit dedicated to the fight against modern slavery, one of my biggest joys comes from creating change.  I am lucky to have the opportunity to speak to people everyday about ‘my cause’ and share with them how they can make an impact and create change.  Recently I was asked to speak at a High School for National Global Human Trafficking Awareness Day, however the highlight was not having the opportunity to speak to a group of students, but the fact that my young mentee was actually the one responsible for organizing the event.  Watching someone so young and so passionate, gives me endless hope for the future of the movement.  Of course while the whole room of students was not enthralled into listening to my presentation, a handful were beyond inquisitive, and their questions and comments, left me unable to do anything other than smile as they were both passionate and aware.

As a person who has work with countless young people, I am never dismayed to the power of youth to both create change and empower it.   Therefore when I came across the following, Independent Investigation - Transcript of an interview with Ina, a victim of human trafficking in India, on the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which was conducted by Phoebe Lewis (aged 13).  Phoebe’s father, Gary Lewis, is the Representative of the UNODC Regional Office, South Asia, New Delhi, India.  Now while one may look and think Phoebe is at an advantage due to her fathers position, I must state that the decision and ability to work directly with survivors of any form of trauma is not an easy path and at 13 years-old to take an active role in a cause one feels such passion for is nothing less than commendable and a role more and more young people should be commended for.  Therefore regardless of the action taken, be it speaking at school, holding a fundraiser, etc., the youth of today can make a lasting difference in the fight against modern slavery, and any cause, so listen up they may teach you something!

“I’m a normal teen; I’m just really passionate about social justice.” (Teen Voices Interview)

Sejal Hathi is only 17 and still in high school, nonetheless she has found her calling and a way make an impact on girls around the world. When Sejal was only 15 she founded Girls Helping Girls, an international organization which seeks to enhance the lives of girls around the world through empowerment. Sejal and her leadership team, Sisters 4 Peace, are all girls under the age of 18. The Sisters 4 Peace are all under the advisement of adult mentors from both corporations and nonprofits, however it is the Girls who truly empower and inspire.  The Sisters 4 Peace Network has enabled hundreds of girls to receive training to launch their own projects and strengthen the power of girls helping girls.

Girls Helping Girls’ core initiatives are; Cultural Exchange, A Global Education, Social Change Projects, and Investment in Girls’ Initiative.  By empowering girls, the organization tackles gender inequality head on, focusing on all areas of change by increasing access to education, mobilizing girls to eradicate poverty, promoting peace and conflict resolutions and  improving awareness on health and access to healthcare.

From high school to speaking to world leaders and Fortune 500 business leaders to mentor, Sejal proves that there is power in youth to achieve, inspire and create change.  Sejal is also working to publish a book  on entrepreneurship.

Do you know someone who has truly been the change in children’s lives in your community, or around the globe? Now is the time to see that their hard work and dedication is honored by nominating them for a World of Children Award. Nomination categories include an award especially for youth under the age of 21.

The world is full of those who sacrifice big and small, so children do not have to, the World of Children Awards honor those who sacrifice their welfare, risk their lives and give tirelessly every day to help children in their communities. If you know one of these true heroes then nominate them today.

World of Children Awards are presented each year to Honorees, and cash grants are then awarded to the children’s programs that have been established by the Honorees. Honorees such as those who are rescuing children from child trafficking rings, hunger, rehabilitating child soldiers, fighting preventable childhood infectious disease, and; all selfishly. The awards are the only globally recognized and funded program which exclusively honors those who dedicate their lives to change the lives of children in need.

Awards:

2009 Founder’s Award for Youth - maximum grant of up to $25,000.
* The Founders Award recognizes youth that are making extraordinary contributions to the lives of other children.
* Nominee must be under the age of 21.
* Nominee must have an existing non-profit organization in good standing, which can receive grant funds if awarded.

2009 Humanitarian Award - maximum grant of up to $50,000.
* The Humanitarian Award recognizes an individual who has made a significant lifetime contribution to children in the areas of social services, education or humanitarian services.
* Nominee must have created, managed or otherwise supported a sustainable program which has significantly contributed to children’s opportunities to BE SAFE, TO LEARN, and TO GROW.
* Nominee must do this work over and above their normal employment, OR work for little or no pay.
* Nominee must have been doing this (or related work) for a minimum of 10 years.
* Nominee must have an existing non-profit organization in good standing, which can receive grant funds if awarded.

2009 Health Award - maximum grant of up to $50,000.
* The Health Award recognizes an individual who has made a significant lifetime contribution to children in the fields of health, medicine or the sciences.
* Nomine must have created, managed or otherwise supported a sustainable program which has significantly contributed to the IMPROVED HEALTH of children.
* Nominee must do this work over and above their normal employment, OR work for little or no pay.
* Nominee must have been doing this (or related work) for a minimum of 10 years.
* Nominee must have an existing non-profit organization in good standing, which can receive grant funds if awarded.

Deadlines for 2009 Nominations are Friday, April 17, 2009. Nominate your hero Here.

Founded in 1998, the World of Children has now awarded more than $2 million in cash grants to 78 changemakers, working in more than 35 countries worldwide. These Honorees are spearheading more than 100 life-changing organizations worldwide - and their work is collectively impacting millions of children.

In response to the previous two posts the following is a true story of how one can emerge from tragedy and violence, and teach peace to children in the face of conflict. Teaching peace is more than just teaching about an end to war and armed conflict that has engulfed nations, but also bringing peace to the streets which are so often embattled in a war of their own.

Juveniles are two and a half times more likely to become a victim of violent crime than their adult counter parts. And while violent crime and homicide committed by juveniles has decreased significantly in the past decade, the numbers continue to haunt communities across the country. According to Juvenile Offenders and Victims: 2006 National Report, “8% of 17-year-olds reported ever belonging to a gang, 16% sold drugs, and 16% carried a handgun”.

This month Free the Slaves, the United States oldest anti-slavery/abolitionist organization launched the Freedom Awards, honoring those who have struggled for freedom and won, those who fight in the name of those who have been silenced by the chains of slavery, those who never look back and face hardship as if it were only a small stone in the road…Free the Slaves honored heroes and fighters.

I had the pleasure to attend the Freedom Awards reception in DC, where I had distinct honor to sit down one on one with some of the awards recipients'. All of the recipients' are inspirational and amazing; however two in particular struck personal cords with me. Ricky Richard, who won the Harriet Tubman Reintegration Award with his organization, Friends of Orphans. One look into the eyes of Ricky and you are beyond moved and inspired by his story of bravery, courage and triumph…you are energized into action. From across the room one notices the pride and ambition of James Kofi Annan, who with his organization Challenging Heights, was awarded the Frederick Douglass Award. James smile alone is enough to incite one into action.

Both men, spent their childhoods enslaved, Ricky as a child soldier, James as a child laborer in the fishing industry, both escaped the shackles of modern slavery and neither one could turn their backs on the countless children just like them. Both Rickey and James are powerful heroes who have used their struggles to establish organizations which not only work for freedom, but work sustainably to brake the chains of slavery by addressing the root issues, especially focusing on education, which fuel the modern slave trade.

If people like the Freedom Award winners can work to give the gift of freedom to so many others, than we as an international community have no excuses, or reason, as to why we cannot each make our own dent in the fight to end slavery worldwide. What these heroes have taught us is that regardless of where you live and what you have had to overcome, you can make a lasting difference in your own community. Slavery exists in every corner of the globe; regardless of whether we walk with our eyes open or choose to keep them closed we are all affected by the effects of modern slavery.

Please go to the Freedom Awards on the Free the Slaves website, to watch the Freedom awards ceremony that was held in LA. On the site you can also learn more about all of the awards and the stories behind those heroes honored and the impact they are bringing to their communities.

Please stay tuned for upcoming in-depth interviews and articles with this years Freedom Award winners.

Over the last year I have received a number of e-mails from children and young adults, asking me what they, or their groups, can do to help other children across the world. Therefore I am writing this post just for you, and for all the other young people out there who want to find more ways in which they can help and volunteer.

Firstly let me say how wonderful it has been to receive letters from such ambitious and dedicated young individuals, your quest for justice and knowledge is inspiring . Secondly it amazes me to find so many young people reading a site such as this, you are already on the right track by taking such an interest in the lives and rights of children across the globe.

I have begun a new page, Resources for Children and Young Adults , and I will continually be adding resources so keep checking back.  Please feel free to send me any links or organizations you feel should be added to the list. Additionally please send your stories of how you or a young person in your life has made a difference.

Here are a few ideas of ways you can help other kids:

1. Grow and donate your hair to Locks of Love and help a child in the United States or Canada under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis, get a hairpiece.
2. Visit your local hospital children's ward, or send drawings and letters of encouragement to children who are suffering from illness or trauma.
3. Collect stuffed animals for local police and rescue personal to give to children.
4. Make jewlery, or other arts and craft items, to sell and fundraise for your favorite cause.  You can even use items that are already helping those in need like, Paper to Pearls
5. Hold a concert or play and donate all of your ticket and conssession sales to charity.
6. Orgonize a community yard sale and donate all the money to help those in your local community.
7. Ask your school, church, sports team, or scout group to adopt a cause or charity for the year.
8. Volunteer at your local homeless shelter or soup kitchen.
9. Collect donated school supplies and backpacks for kids in need.
10. Use your talents and interest in a creative way to help others!

Remember to keep an open mind, and that you don't always have to do something big to make a difference, just sharing your thoughts and ideas makes an impact. Most of all keep up the spirit of volunteering and share it with your friends and family, you can make a world of difference just by your example

Here are some links to organizations established by, or for, kids:
JustGive.org Kids Corner - Learn about kids making a difference
Just Give - 50 Ways to Help Children
Starlight's StarPower program -showcase's young people working to help other kids.
Children Helping Children - International Musical Charity, holding In-Hospital Concerts and Gala Benefit Concerts
Kids Helping Kids with Nothing
Kids Helping Kids Heal
Kids Helping Kids
Project Linus New Jersey - Providing handmade blankets and handcrafted toys to children suffering serious illness and trauma.
The Loose Change to Loosen Chains Campaign
Families with Purpose - Community Service Projects
PBS Kids Zoom Team - You can you help the world.

It has been historically proven that sports bring people and countries closer together, that is what the Olympics has stood for, and ever four years it brings stories of triumph, inspiration and hope. But the Olympics are not the only sports arena where battles have been fought, for many girls around the world sports was, and is, something they could have only in their dreams. Nonetheless many girls took the love and desire of the game to another level, they used it show their voice and demand their rights. One such group of young girls is the Afghan womans soccer team, the first Afghan national women's soccer team. Shamila Kohestani is the captain of team, and her story, like many other young girls under the iron bars of Talibani rule, is not one of a girl who's childhood was nothing but roses, but one of endless struggle.

“I was out wearing a burqa, but because I had just started to wear it, I did not have the practice to cover all my body,” Kohestani says. “[The Talib] asked me why I had not covered the front part of my body. So he beat me and I threw the burqa off and escaped” (Female soccer star achieves goals).

A long way from her secret class rooms in Afghanistan, education for girls was strictly forbidden, Shamila is now in the United States to pursue her education, and has yet again defied the odds.

Late in the season at her new school in the United States, Shamila missed the soccer team, but this was no deterrent for the bright teenager, who quickly took on a new sport. Shamila can now be found dribbling not down the soccer field, but the basket ball court!

Regardless of what sport Shamila is playing she shows that determination above all, gives hope to the future! Her future is bright and Shamila knows that the real power of women in Afghanistan is not just found on the field, but in the classrooms, and she continues to remain focused on her studies so that she may return to Afghanistan and it is here where her real battle has begun.

"This was a young woman who had never used a calculator before, did know how to use a computer, but didn't have one," said Hardwick, the headmaster. "She had a lot of holes in her educational background, because she had been out of school for about five or six years of her early learning. If there is any great leveler in the world, it's got to be education, and this is what she wants, she wants to be educated." (Soccer as an Escape to Hope for Afghan Teenager)

Everyone who has met Shamila believes that their is no stopping her and that she will over come the hurdles that lie before her, just as she has so many times before.

 

More on Shamila and Sports in Afghanistan:
Once Whipped By Taliban, Girl Makes Mark As Soccer Star
Soccer players shoot goals for Afghan women
Afghanistan: Women's Soccer Wins Support In First Games Abroad

The Afghan Youth Sports Exchange

I would also recommend you check out the movie ‘Osama‘, the first feature film out of the post-Taliban Afghanistan. The film shows one 12 year old girls struggle, as she tries to save her family and disguises herself as a boy to work.

Build-A-Bear Workshop is currently looking for child heroes for their 2008 Huggable Heroes. You can see the 2007 Huggable Heroes here. The 2007 Huggable Heroes where honored for their dedication to raising money and awareness for such issues as AIDS, Cancer, Poverty, and much more, each child hero is an inspiration to children and adults alike.

Founder and Chief Executive Bear Maxine Clark stated in a press release;

“There are so many young people out there who continue to set positive examples of compassion, caring and dedication and we want to give them the recognition they deserve. We look forward to finding the 2008 Huggable Heroes and sharing their stories.”

Each Huggable Hero will receive a $7,500 educational scholarship and $2,500 to which will be donated to the charity of their choice. In addition the Huggable Heroes will be sent on a trip together, for the 2009 Huggable Heroes calendar.

Make your nominations today! Nominations can be sent in by anyone including family members, friends, teachers, or even nominees themselves. They will be accepted until Feb. 8, 2008.

When one mentions South Africa the things that quickly come to mind, are apartheid, Nelson Mandela, AIDS, poverty and most of all one thinks of racism. Its difficult to think of the country without thinking of the issue of race, as the lines where deeply etched in the countries history, and lines that deep do not fade very quickly. It was almost 14 years ago that apartheid came to an end, and while the wounds of history remain, they are healing.

One teenage girl shows the nation that you can dance in both the black and white worlds, that they can truly become one even in a country with fresh wounds. Isabella Mosime has a white family, and as a black child, she easily stood out in a country which remains intrigued by the issues of race. However Bella says she doesn't see race and she socializes on both sides of the fence, however even Bella and her friends still know that while they may have friends of all colors, that there is much more that has to be done to ensure the country truely grows in the “Rainbow Nation” of so many peoples dream's.

“We have come a long way - interaction is happening between everybody and every race,” she said. “But I think there is not enough understanding. I think we still have a long way to go.”

“I think we are expected to be the perfect nation, but we’re not,” said 16-year-old Khumo Khumalo, a 10th-grader at Parktown Girls who lived in Soweto as a young girl and shares Bella's love for hip-hop dancing. “That's because we’ve had so much to deal with. Slowly, day by day, we’re going to get there, because we have so many young people who want to bridge the gap between the races. I have a lot of hope.” (Living beyond racial bounds).

And while the Bella, illustrates the progress that has been made and can be made, the racial divide remains and much needs to be done to see that the gap closes. The key to bringing all South Africans together as one, is hope and determination and that can be found in the children. Bella's story is only one in a series entitled Mandela's Children, which has articles that document the issues faced by South Africa's first post-apartheid generation. The issue of racial discrimination will not go away if we close our eyes, but this generation was born to keep their eyes open, so that future children will hopefully never see the racial divide.

Shortage of electricity plagues many countries, especially in the developing world. However the efforts being made to electrify the continent of Africa fall considerably short of the need. Most would stand in awe at this immense task and wait in anticipation for something to be done. However that was not what one young man in Malawi decided to do, taking action into his own hands, William Kamkwamba, now 20 was only 14 when he began his quest to bring power to his village, after finding a photograph of a windmill. William then set about the task of trying to build one for his own family.

“At first, we were laughing at him,” says Agnes Kamkwamba, his mother. “We thought he was doing something useless.”

William has also built a windmill for the local primary school, and then used it as a learning example to teach an informal windmill-building course. A Young Tinkerer Builds a Windmill, Electrifying a Nation; While the creation of a few windmills has surely changed William and his families lives, it is only a small step in electrifying a nation. William is now working to further his education, and plans to continue building his windmills. William is an inspiration to his village, to his family and to all the young people across the globe that dream of a better future.

Learn More About William and his Windmill:
William Kamkwamba's Malawi Windmill Blog
TED Speakers- William Kamkwamba
My Hero Community Hero: William Kmakwmba
Malawi Youth Builds Windmill to Power Village
Homemade Windmill in Malawi