VOl 7

Media Voices for Children VOLUME SEVEN

CHILDREN’S RIGHTS & ENVIRONMENT

Volume VII Authors

Esha Kode

Francisco Vera Manzanares

The Right To Play

Eco-hope

Susan Melvin

Fae Kontje-Gibbs

The Wishing Flag

Art Exhibit

Rising From Mathare

Emily Camacho

Luz VazquezHernandez

The Children Behind The Food We Eat

Heat Protections

Jose Velasquez Castellano

Natalia Sandí

Intersectional Connections

Michael Wooley: Lifting Stones For a Fairer World

Editor-in-Chief

Managing Editor

Production Assistants

Communication Strategist

Fernanda Mora

Raven McCormack

Susan Melvin Nydia Simone

Natalia Sandí

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This edition is rooted on the premise that a safe environment is inseparable from children’s rights. How we treat our Earth affects every living being, and those measurable changes in weather patterns and temperatures inevitably influence the material conditions that cause child labor. As well as how much more hazardous work can be for a child, depending on environmental factors such as heat.

Those environmental factors are connected to the ability to grow and harvest food, access clean water, and healthy air to breathe. As ecosystems rapidly decline, so do human livelihoods which in turn pushes children into labor and therefore slipping away from their education.

We live on an intrinsically interdependent web of life where everything is interconnected; where there are no isolated issues, just threads of the same fabric. With this in mind, we seek to explore the correlation between the environmental degradation and child labor. This issue is dedicated to the idea that if we protect our planet, we protect our children and their childhoods.

Collectively, we have failed to secure safe planetary conditions for our children, and in response, the kids are braving the leadership and advocating for their right to life and the health of our Earth for all of us. Some of them have shared their experiences of the impacts of these changes with all of us. We do children’s rights, we listen and we amplify their voices by educational and human rights-based frames.

And so, we are thrilled to feature Francisco Vera Manzanares, founder of Guardianes por la Vida (Life Guardians) and a leading voice for environmental and children’s rights. Alongside him, former child workers share their experiences during their childhoods and ultimate transformation through education. The words of Jose Velazquez, Emily Camacho, Luz Vasquez, Esha Kode, and Susan Melvin are not just stories; they are calls to action, to care, and to witness children blooming when given an opportunity and to join our mission.

Everyone has the power to do something when they choose to. Sharing what lights your heart are examples of compassionate action towards community based and reciprocal life changing opportunities. Artists like Fae Kontje-Gibbs and Michael Wooley use art and self expression to champion education for our pupils in Kenya, who, now, are safe in a classroom instead of dangerous working sites.

We share stories and weave solidarity, connecting our island community with voices and perspectives from beyond our shores. In a close knit community, we know how far small acts of kindness go. Now, how about we share that island culture with the world?

Our commitment to making the good kind of trouble is unwavering. Following the legacy of our dear founder, and wonderful human being, Len Morris: “People say children are the future, but we say children are now!”. On our end, we remain fiercely committed to carry our mission, until there’s no more stolen childhoods.

Fernanda Mora Brenes PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR

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VOLUME SEVEN

MEDIA VOICES FOR CHILDREN

ECO - HOPE

BY FRANCISCO VERA MANZANARES

The flames spread rapidly, causing huge

Ultimately, the health of the planet is a

clouds that damage people's health and

reflection of our health as humans, and vice

destroy the life that once inhabited those

versa, and unfortunately, neither is doing well

beautiful places. Once burned, there is

these days. The Earth as a planet will

nothing left. Imagine working your whole life

continue for billions of years until the universe

for a home and then someone else comes

brings it to an end, but what is at stake is life

along and burns it down, but your neighbors

on Earth, including our survival as human

do nothing about it. This is what the

species.

ecosystems of our planet are suffering from.

“Eco-hope, like many things that exist in our society, is a concept inspired by nature, by a beautiful nature that, no matter how great the challenge, never gives up.”

4

WE THE CHILDREN, HAVE VOICES THAT DESERVE TO BE HEARD

As a citizen of this planet, and having witnessed environmental

Right now, through Guardianes por la Vida (Life

degradation from a very young age, I decided to take action.

Guardians), the movement that began with six

As Amnesty International’s slogan says, “Take injustice

schoolmates and now has more than 700

personally.” The planetary crisis is not only unjust to other

children, we are transforming our eco-hope into

species; it is especially unfair to my generation.

tangible actions. For example, we now run ecohope gardens, where children grow fruit and

Children and adolescents today face the greatest threat to our

vegetables that are used as ingredients in

existence. At the same time, we are living through the highest

school cafeterias. This is a very important action

levels of violence since the end of World War II, alongside

in the context of a country like Colombia, where

widespread health challenges and profound wealth gaps and

malnutrition is a major challenge.

these realities are causing many young people to lose hope.

We also have a Network of Guardian Schools for That loss of hope is dangerous. And yet, it is precisely why we

Life, where we carry out more initiatives such as

are taking action and mobilizing for our rights. The challenge of

learning and training processes, tree planting

this moment in history is not only to confront the crises before

(we have planted more than 2,000 trees

us, but to restore eco-hope.

throughout our history), and environmental and civic literature. All of these actions strengthen us

Eco-hope, like many things in our society, is a concept inspired

as defenders of what is most important: the right

by nature, by a beautiful nature that, no matter how great the

to live in a clean, dignified, and peaceful world.

challenges it faces, does not give up; that is, it is resilient and always seeks to cling to life. Eco-hope does not deny the

I want to conclude with a clear message for you:

seriousness of the problems we face, but rather addresses

we are all defenders of human rights, we all have

them from a solution based perspective and uses the force of

power: our voice. Please use your voice in favor

chaos as fuel for action, which inspires more and other types

of life and rights, and do not lose your eco-hope.

of actions.

VOLUME SEVEN

5

Intersectional Connections

BY JOSE VELASQUEZ CASTELLANO

Growing up in North Carolina, it was common to

Almost a century later nothing has changed on a

begin working on tobacco farms around the age of

policy level. This is not to say that initiatives have not

ten, eleven, and twelve. Like many children, I worked

been taken to address the matter. The Children’s Act

alongside my mother, as it was the only way I knew

for Responsible Employment (CARE Act) addresses

how to help. The job itself was physically demanding

the dangerous conditions within Agriculture by

and pushed my body to its limits. When I arrived back

amending the FLS Act. Although the bill has stalled,

home, I would sit on the couch until nighttime as my

we must continue to converse on child labor within

burning body refused to move. Working in tobacco

the United States and around the world.

has been the hardest thing I have done in my life, and man-made, extreme weather events are only getting

Moreover, we must recognize child labor in the face

worse for the next generation of child workers.

of rapid environmental decline, especially where its effects are mainly felt in agriculture, where almost

From my own experience, few people are aware of

70% of child labor happens (International Labor

the regulations allowing child labor within the United

Organization). One may assume that environmental

States. Indeed, there are several laws protecting

changes and child labor have no correlation, but the

children from hazardous work; however, these laws

truth is that overconsumption, pollution, and fossil

fluctuate in agriculture-related work. The Fair Labor

fuels are enabling natural disasters like floods and

Standards Act of 1938 (FLS Act) outlines these

droughts, which directly affect child workers.

conditions, allowing children as young as ten years to be employed on farms.

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MEDIA VOICES FOR CHILDREN

For instance, the International Labor Organization found that during higher rainfall, children leave school to work in agriculture. Their research found that “a positive production shock increases child labour and decreases educational attainment, because children’s work on the farm is made more valuable, thus increasing demand for it” (International Labor Organization).

Another example is that after extreme weather disasters, it’s been widely reported that kids dropped out of school to help support their families financially (International Labor Organization). By depriving children from accessing education, they are set up for generational cycles of labor exploitation fueled by generational poverty.

Educational attainment is a valuable resource that must be ensured for all children; however, the global boiling era challenges access to human rights. Some families cannot afford to stay in their homes after a natural disaster, meaning their children are forced to embark on dangerous migrations towards safety.

Climate-led immigration is not a new topic and it will continue to worsen unless we divest from inefficient technologies. If we remain paralyzed, children around the world will continue to lose their homes, their schools, and their communities, along with habitable conditions on the planet.

We must change the current narrative, as the circumstances resemble more of an overflowing pot, harming everyone, and especially child workers in agriculture. Experts call to recognize children as agents of change, reduce emissions and pollution, and to protect children from the impact of the worst effects of extreme weather events and environmental degradation. By addressing child labor and environmental intersections, we can seek to ensure that all children remain safe and with their loved ones.

When I worked in agriculture, I had a couple of conversations with other child workers. Sometimes we talked about TV shows or school, and other times we talked about our love for our families and their need for financial support. Families around the world are trying to survive and we must ensure that we are protecting them.

The intersection of both child labor and extreme weather impacts everyone's lives, ones more than others, and that’s why seeking urgent changes in public policies to protect our planet isn’t just about the environment, it’s about protecting the childhoods, dreams, and families who depend on it.

VOLUME SEVEN

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Heat Protections

BY LUZ VAZQUEZ-HERNANDEZ

“It was common to see workers faint, as taking breaks in the shade and drinking water, was not enough. I witnessed my mom, dad, and brother faint more than twice in temperatures over 100 degrees which always made me scared. Somehow, we all managed to continue our 12–13-hour shifts because our paycheck depended on how many crops we picked”.

Coming from a background of farm work, I know

I learned to push my body and to handle extreme

the struggle against heat. At 14 years old, I began

weather conditions. I suffered the pains and

picking blueberries in Michigan during the

aches that my parents felt every day. However,

summer, and from there on, I learned to pick a

complaining to my parents was not an option, and

variety of crops all over Michigan and my home

my body adapted.

base in Florida. I spent my weekends and any school days off, including summers, picking

Working in the fields during intense heat were the

strawberries, squash, pickles, peppers, and

worst moments. Covered in layers from head to

jalapeños.

toe, with pants, a long-sleeve shirt, hoodie, and bandana was my daily attire. Covering most of my face, the bandana made it hard to breathe in extreme heat; at times, I felt my body, head and eyes just shutting off. I felt I could not go any longer, but seeing my parents endure the heat and hold it in, I tried to do the same, and distracted myself in my thoughts.

We could not afford to take long lunch breaks and we often had a bite or two of lunch and a Gatorade, and then immediately went back into the fields. Before I turned nineteen, I stopped working as a harvester because I knew that I had greater opportunities than my parents, and that farmwork was not the only job I could have. My goal is to share my story and pursue my education to drive the changes my community needs. 8

“Farmworkers feed all of us and deserve protection.”

As a senior at Michigan State University, I interned with the National Consumers League (NCL) and the Child Labor Coalition (CLC). I am grateful because I get to work closely on policies affecting my community and interests.

However, knowing that I got to work inside an office with air-conditioning makes me feel guilty because I know that my parents and younger siblings are in Michigan picking crops in the summer heat, sweating, thirsty, and hoping for a

A legislative effort to address heat protection is the Asunción Valdivia Heat Illness and Fatality Prevention Act, which sets standards to protect workers from heat, such as ensuring drinking water is accessible, requiring rest breaks, and

cloud to bring shade to them.

providing access to shade.

As a nation, the United States needs to take

The bill would require employers to educate and

immediate action to protect farmworkers from extreme heat exposure. As temperatures rise, farmworkers’ suffering is increasing.

temperatures farmworkers labor under have risen sharply. These extreme conditions have led to farmworkers

when

temperatures

exceeded 80 degrees Fahrenheit.” At the same time, more resilient superbugs have emerged, forcing the use of stronger pesticides, which increase

the

disorders,

and

risk

farmworkers.

of

cancer,

reproductive

and mandate emergency protocols.

Separate

Due to increasing environmental instability, the

perished

train workers to recognize and prevent heat illness

neurological

issues

among

regulatory

initiatives

have

been

proposed to protect workers from extreme heat and, therefore, to establish heat safety regulations at work.

This attempts to direct the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to help establish a nationwide protection standard. These two initiatives are vital if we want to protect farmworkers from heat illness.

These actions give me hope that farmworkers and other outdoor laborers enduring extreme heat could have safer conditions.

VOLUME SEVEN

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THE CHILDREN BEHIND THE FOOD WE EAT

BY EMILY CAMACHO WINNER OF THE ASSOCIATION OF FARMWORKER OPPORTUNITY PROGRAMS & CHILDREN IN THE FIELDS CAMPAIGN ART & ESSAY CONTEST

A microphone, lights, a beautiful stage, and a talented showman. Darkness, a bumpy ride, Los Tigres Del Norte playing on the radio, the smell of wet dirt, the faint sounds of birds chirping in the distance. Rough, cracked, tiny hands...

The quick thumping of blueberries filling a small white bucket strapped to the front of my chest, that sound on repeat for the next 9 or 10 hours. Hours go by, we start to feel the ache in our backs, our fingers have now turned black, a layer of thick goo like black dirt covers them.

The sun is so beautiful, yet so hot, making our working conditions more challenging; however, the livelihood in the field is incomparable, you'd think we are having a feast.

Radios are on, coworkers cracking jokes across the field, everyone laughing, some of us singing, so optimistic. I often wonder what it would be like to step on those blueberry, onion, asparagus, wheat and strawberry fields, apple, cherry, and pear orchards, and not have to work in them. I imagine myself closing my eyes and listening to the livelihood of my surroundings imagining a completely different setting; a beach.

I am 15 years old, on a job resume I would be able to say I have 8 years of experience although I was just a week old when my nursing mother went back to apple thinning.

10 P H OTO : R O B I N R O M A N O

A couple weeks old, sleeping in my car seat in an

A diamond in the rough like that apple, that is

empty apple bin inside that orchard. A white noise

what us children are. We are small in size just like

machine; the jokes across the field, claps, laughs,

those apples being thinned when we start our

ladders clinking as they are moved into and out of

journey, dusty and dull when they're picked, but

different trees. I am a skilled worker despite my

glossy and beautiful when we reach the finish line,

young age, many others like me.

and start to achieve some of our goals, dreams and aspirations.

A farmworker child. A child picking the food you and I both eat, the prettyl, glossy apples at our

Although we are grateful for the experiences

local grocery store, so beautiful I can see my

we've had, our dream is to outgrow those fields

reflection on it as I pick it up and hold it up to my

that witnessed so much of our childhood. Those

face. I see big brown eyes, dark, muffled messy

fields that unknowingly witnessed us grow up,

hair, I notice my skin looking darker from the

those fields our families have worked for

countless hours under the sun, I see a proud

generations. Those fields; a beautiful stage, the

smile.

scorching hot sun; stage lights, the food we eat; unknowingly a microphone.

A diamond in the rough, just like that apple that I once thinned when it was tiny, that I later picked

A microphone forbidden to be spoken into when

when it looked dusty and dull, now sitting at this

you are a child, a child skilled and talented in

grocery

and

picking and harvesting the delicious foods in our

appetizing. Easily admirable not telling the story

grocery stores. The children behind the food we

behind it, having no idea of the size of the tiny

eat, the silent voices behind, the silent voices

hands that have picked them, of the children

behind the microphone waiting to someday look

behind the food we eat.

back and tell the stories of our childhood.

store

looking

VOLUME SEVEN

beautiful,

bright

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FAE’S WISHING FLAGS ART EXHIBIT

BY SUSAN MELVIN

Art

is

shaped

by

personal

experiences,

perspectives, and emotions. Fae Kontje-Gibbs sees art as a means to transform lives.

She crafted the Wishing Flags Art Exhibit, inspired by Tibetan prayer flags that spread goodwill and blessings, combining creativity and raising awareness of our cause.

Using pieces of recycled fabrics, Fae paints access to education for the children we care for. These lively banners are also her way of expressing her desire and taking real action to create a better world for children.

The appreciation of beauty and artistry can be enjoyed by anyone. These flags are symbols of connection and people across cultures in our shared humanity.

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MEDIA VOICES FOR CHILDREN

Her love for art began in the 70’s on

Fae

Martha’s Vineyard, where she found her

Printmaking Studio at the Featherstone Center

passion

was

for the Arts, ensuring that artistic expression is

captivated by monotypes, a technique that

accessible to everyone and until today, she is

creates unique prints with a rich, painterly

committed to teaching and encouraging others

quality, which became a signature aspect

to discover their own creative potential.

for

printmaking.

She

was

instrumental

in

establishing

the

of her work.

The Wishing Flags remind us of our shared Her desire to share her craft took her to

humanity. They ask us to pause, reflect, and

leading community workshops and private

take part in a collective vision of compassion and

classes, to notable artist residencies such

a world free of child labor.

as the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow in 1995.

Her works prove that art is more than a pleasant aesthetic experience; it is a message and an

She reminds us that art is not just about

action for unity through acts of kindness and

self-expression, it can also be about

creativity.

making a difference. Each flag carries a wish, and compassionate action with the promise of tangible better living conditions.

Through her work, she invites us all to envision, act and believe that everybody can make a positive impact through daily

“EACH WISHING FLAG IS A WISH FOR HEALING, FOR FREEDOM, FOR JOY, AND A GRATITUDE FOR THE GIFTS OF HER LIFE AND THE URGE TO SHARE THEM”.

practices and choices.

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RISING FROM MATHARE

BY SUSAN MELVIN

Some years ago, I shared my story...

With support of Media Voices for Children, I was a student

For example, in Mathare, where I grew up, children face

at the Technical University of Kenya, facing immense

serious environmental challenges. Unreliable water supply,

challenges growing up in Mathare slums. Life was

pollution,

uncertain, but I held onto my dreams, determined to change

unbearable. Floods displace families, leaving children

not just my story but also that of others like me. Today, I

susceptible to disease, exploitation, and school disruptions.

stand as a journalism graduate and this is my journey so far.

Droughts lead to food shortages, making education a

and

poor

sanitation

conditions

make

life

secondary concern as survival takes priority. These Last year, I proudly graduated with an upper division in

environmental challenges threaten the rights of children

Journalism and Mass Communication. The road to this

daily, yet their voices are rarely heard. This is why I choose

achievement was anything but smooth. Every hardship,

to tell their stories.

every sleepless night, and every moment of doubt shaped me into the person I am today. During my three-month

My next course of action is clear; to advocate for children

attachment at Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), I

and to give back to society by mentoring young people,

gained invaluable experience in news writing and editing for

amplifying the voices of others and ensuring that no child

broadcast, researching and preparing stories, and assisting

feels invisible.

with live media production.

As I continue this journey, my mission remains steadfast, to I have learned that hard work eventually pays off. Discipline,

be the voice that speaks for children and a role model for

persistence, and hope are the forces that shape one's

those who, like me, have faced hardships growing up. I

future. Every challenge I have faced has only strengthened

believe that where there is life, there is hope, and every child

my resolve to be the journalist I aspire to be. I no longer see

deserves to live with dignity, security, and opportunities. My

obstacles as setbacks but as stepping stones toward my

story is still being written, and I am determined to make it

purpose. I believe that the struggles I have overcome will

one of impact and change.

help me uplift others who face similar challenges.

“My story is still being written, and I am determined to make it one of impact and change.”

VOLUME SEVEN

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LIFTING STONES FOR A FAIRER WORLD

BY NATALIA SANDI

For Michael Wooley, art is not separated from what

Promoting their inclusion is not only a moral choice; it is

makes all of us, human beings. From the very beginning of

a right for a disabled person to participate fully in

his journey, creativity and compassion are paired, his

society.

vision is shaped by his belief that every person deserves to be seen, valued, and included.

When we choose to lift stones rather than add them, we help create a world where every child can rise, flourish,

There is a certain honesty you can only find in the eyes of

and be celebrated for who they are. Michael reminds us

a child: a clarity that cuts through noise, ego, and

that looking into a child’s eyes is an invitation, a

discrimination. Michael calls this “the language that needs

reminder, a promise. Their gaze asks us for nothing

no words.” It is a language of presence, truth, and

more, and nothing less, than recognizing each other's

possibility; and it has guided both his life’s advocacy and

humanity.

his artistic practice.

Children, especially, show us new ways of engaging Children, for Michael, are teachers. As he witnessed the

with the world, ways that ask us to slow down, listen,

realities of children living with physical or cognitive

and

challenges. Their resilience, vulnerability, and strength

Michael’s work and way of living are remarkable not

demand recognition and support.

only for his artistic eye and love for the underwater world

genuinely

understand

each

other's

needs.

but also for his insistence on making space and lifting Michael has devoted his life to impacting public spaces on

stones for a fairer world for all kids.

Martha’s Vineyard. His creative practice is inseparable from his decades of work supporting people with disabilities.

From community engagement, such as making the island’s YMCA pool possible, to swimming for a good cause from Woods Hole to Martha’s Vineyard, to teaching hundreds of kids how to swim, he has spent his life helping others. As he often says: “I worked daily to help remove stones, not add more. A daily practice of mine to date.”

The stones of separateness and invisibility are carried by too many children and adults with disabilities. Michael invites us to make our steps by becoming aware, to see them, name them, and lift them.

VOLUME SEVEN

15

THE RIGHT TO PLAY

BY ESHA KODE

We were dipping biscuits in our chai, basking in the sun,

It wasn't until my visit to Bal Ashram and listening to

and watching the monkeys leap across the buildings.

Ajay’s story that I realized that having access to nature is

After a few moments of enjoying nature’s peacefulness,

also a privilege. There, I learned that nature gives

Ajay turned to me and asked, “Didi [older sister], does

children the ability to play, and every child has the right

the air here feel different?”

to play in a safe environment.

Taken aback by the sudden question, I just paused as I

Oftentimes

didn't know what to respond. He helped me out and

degradation, the issues of housing, unemployment,

said, "There's less pollution here, right? It feels fresher

migration, conflicts, and even diet are at the forefront of

and purer?" I smiled and nodded as I replied, "Yes, yes,

the debate. However, I believe there is another aspect

it does."

that is less commonly discussed, but just as vital. Joy.

That’s when it hit me: for Ajay, clean air wasn’t the norm,

Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the

therefore something special to notice. Ajay is one of

Child makes it clear: every child has the right to rest,

many boys I met during my time at Bal Ashram, a long-

leisure, and play.

when

we

talk

about

environmental

term rehabilitation center located in Rajasthan, India, for survivors of child labor and human trafficking.

When a child is given the freedom to explore the outdoors and partake in activities that they enjoy, it

It was established in 1998 by Nobel Peace Prize winner

promotes “creativity, imagination, self-confidence, self-

Kailash Satyarthi and Sumedha Kailash to support

efficacy, and physical, social, cognitive, and emotional

children rescued from slavery, trafficking, and labor.

strength and skills” (IPA World). Furthermore, Dr. Gabor Maté, a renowned physician and advocate of healthy

Before arriving at Bal Ashram, Ajay worked in a factory

childhood experiences, explains that “people sacrifice

assembling bangles with dangerous materials.

their playfulness.

He once showed me the palms of his hands scarred by the unhealed blisters formed due to the extreme heat he was forced to use to glue the bangles together.

Ajay recalled that he was constantly working and very rarely got a break to step out and breathe in fresh air.

This is how he discovered a newfound appreciation for the mere act of breathing in clean air and nature’s healing effects.

I found that all of the Bal Ashram boys are very much in tune with their physical environment. They eat outside, stare at the stars from their rooftops, play endless cricket matches in the main yard, plant their own trees, and even do yoga outdoors. Nature isn’t scenery there; it’s part of daily life.

16

Extreme weather events affect a child’s right to play due to the drastic effects they have on the environment, health, and life on the planet as a whole. Air contamination, for instance, is a rather immediate effect of our dependence on fossil fuels, or in other words, a lack of investment in sustainable energy resources.

Without access to quality air, children are at a greater risk of developing respiratory conditions such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and asthma (UNICEF). Constantly breathing in polluted air can also lead to a lifetime of health conditions for children. Thus, without quality air, children are more likely to be put in harm's way when they exercise their right to play.

It’s also important to note that drastic environmental changes affect children multidimensionally. Not only fuels malnutrition, infectious diseases, and even forced labor, but it lowers the ability for children to realize their right to play, as it “leads to internal migration of families to urban areas where children may be forced into labor” (OHCHR).

As a result, more families have to find ways to survive and more children like Ajay, who are forced to work, and can’t be children and are denied of their right to play.

We must emphasize the deep interconnectedness between human-caused environmental degradation and its multidimensional effects on children. In conversations about environmental issues and children’s rights, it is essential to focus not only on children’s physical wellbeing, but also on their psychological wellbeing and the conditions that allow them to flourish. Healthy, playful children cannot exist without a healthy environment. We must come together to push for policies that support life on our Earth and healthy environmental conditions, ensuring that every child can play freely and safely.

Every child has‌‌ the right to be a‌ VOLUME SEVEN

joyous child!‌ 17

Good News from‌ m N! ‌N ai!

I completed my diploma at Kiriri Women's University of Science & Technology and finished an internship at AA R Hospital, which is among the best hospitals in Kenya, as a procurement officer.

I want to extend my warm thanks and deep gratitude to the supporters of Media Voices for Children for their contributions to my education, from high school through to university.

One of the roles I enjoyed most at the hospital was helping patients get the medication they needed to recover.

Education has been instrumental in shaping who I am and what I do today, and for that, I am truly appreciative,

Queen Bela

GRADUATE SPONSORED BY MEDIA VOICES FOR CHILDREN’S COMMUNITY

18

TWO FISHING COMMUNITIES What does Martha’s Vineyard, an island in the Atlantic Ocean, share with Homa Bay in Lake Victoria in Kenya? They are both communities shaped by the rhythms of water. Life flows with the tides and the quiet determination of those who navigate and fish through waters, and in both places, people show up for one another, especially when it comes to children.

We know that safe, dignified sanitary facilities are a practical, long-term solution to keeping children in school. And we also know that, when schools lack adequate facilities, absenteeism rises, and the risk of child labor increases.

“Pupils used to go to a two-door, dirty and rusty, makeshift latrine made of iron sheets. The latrine had a risky, sinking floor, which was a disaster in waiting.”

For girls, especially, access to private, clean latrines can determine whether they stay in school or are forced to drop out by material conditions. A door that locks. Water nearby. A space that offers dignity.

Adhiro Comprehensive School

Philip Rege, Headteacher,

This is when we jump into action with prevention! We close doors to the risk of child labor, child marriage, and teenage pregnancy.

By building safe and private latrines, girls feel safer managing their menstrual and personal hygiene needs.

Students also lacked access to water for handwashing, creating serious health concerns for families and teachers in an area vulnerable to cholera outbreaks.

VOLUME SEVEN

This is what child labour prevention looks like. Your support means classrooms filled, sustained attendance, better school performance, and safer childhoods.

Together, we can continue to make significant changes in the lives of hundreds of kids through small acts of kindness that bring change for generations.

Since the first set of latrines in 2024, girls’ school attendance stabilized throughout the month. And rom the first cycle of 2025 to the first cycle of 2026, enrollment grew by over 100 students, reflecting both rising demand and the school’s expanding reach.

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Celebrating A LEGACY Those familiar with our founder, Len Morris, know of his commitment to both filmmaking and protecting children's rights. His tireless advocacy earned him not only global recognition but also numerous honors, including the Iqbal Masih Award for his lifetime commitment to eliminating child labor.

During the filming of Stolen Childhoods, on a coffee plantation, Len encountered Sylvie, an injured girl whose circumstances he could not ignore. Refusing to turn away, he and his wife, Georgia Morris, and Petra Lent McCarron began raising funds to support her and other children in similar conditions. From that moment, the Kenyan School Project was co-created and sustained by our island community. Since then, Len has helped secure an education for more than 5,000 children.

Since 2000, child labor has been reduced by 108 million children. That is an amazing accomplishment, the result of a lifetime of tireless work, to which Len definitely contributed by shining a light on and raising awareness of this reality, which, in turn, shaped global public policies.

While the full extent of the lives he has impacted is impossible to measure – from revealing to the world the faces of children working in hazardous conditions and the realities of modern-day slavery, to helping secure medical care and supporting thousands of children through school lunch programs—what remains certain is that his work has always been guided by a profound and unwavering commitment to amplify children’s voices, secure their humanity and dignity.

Carrying forward such a legacy is no small task. Yet, with his mentorship for over 6 years and the support of our trusted community, Media Voices for Children continues to advance its mission. It is both an honor and a responsibility to continue Len's life's work and preserve its essence, while evolving to amplify children's voices and advocate for their rights, relentlessly, until there are no more stolen childhoods.

FERNANDA MORA PRESIDENT MEDIA VOICES FOR CHILDREN

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Media Voices For Children

WE DO CHILDREN’S RIGHTS. Our mission is to promote children’s rights through education and media.

Guided by a human rights-based approach, we amplify kids’ voices, uphold their dignity, and help build a world free from child labor and modern slavery.

GET IN TOUCH WWW.MEDIAVOICESFORCHILDREN.ORG mediavoicesforchildren@gmail.com

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455 State Rd, 389 PMB, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568

FOLLOW US @mediavoicesforchildren

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