Curse

talisk3 · Mar 07, 2009, 12:05 AM // 00:05

Some backround

For those who don't know, Free the Children is an organization founded by Craig Kielberger to free children from labour. They are a international organization and are one of the most well-known organizations. Craig has been on Oprah several times and has partnered with her.

Vow of Silence

Vow of Silence-From 3pm on March 5th to 3pm on March 6th people chose to be silent for the 24 hours to "speak out" for all the children that do not have a voice in what they do.

Explanation & Facts

-The reason this is done on March 5th is because on March 5th the telephone was invented changing communication forever.

-218 million children are in child labour, 126 million of them are exposed to hazardous conditions.

-300 thousand children are forced to be soldiers, sex slaves, or servants

-Everyday 28 thousand children die due to poverty

-121 million children that are the right age for primary school aren't able to attend.

My Reason

Tuesday I had the privilege of hearing Craig speak live. He is very inspirational. He talked about the Vow of Silence and some other students at my school and myself decided to do it. No talking, texting, e-mail, msn.
This was not easy. Trust me.
What I'm wondering is if anyone else has done this?

Oh and here's the official website: www.iamsilent.com

Thanks for reading!

Winterclaw · Mar 07, 2009, 02:35 AM // 02:35

So if these children stop working in those poverty stricken countries, how exactly are they or their families, if any, going to replace that money so they can eat? I mean a buck is worthless here but it might buy those kids the only meal they are going to have that day over there. If you do the math, that's at least 73 billion a year more in charity that people are going to have to live just to keep those kids in their current conditions. And that's not talking about health care, schooling, etc.

Now I'm not against helping the children, but there are conditions that have to be met in order to end child labor in a positive way. Quite frankly, not saying anything for a day is a useless gesture. If you really cared about them, you could have dispensed with the charade and sent 5 bucks to one of the charities that helps fight worldwide poverty.

ZenRgy · Mar 07, 2009, 03:35 AM // 03:35

talisk3 · Mar 07, 2009, 04:04 AM // 04:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winterclaw

So if these children stop working in those poverty stricken countries, how exactly are they or their families, if any, going to replace that money so they can eat? I mean a buck is worthless here but it might buy those kids the only meal they are going to have that day over there. If you do the math, that's at least 73 billion a year more in charity that people are going to have to live just to keep those kids in their current conditions. And that's not talking about health care, schooling, etc.

Now I'm not against helping the children, but there are conditions that have to be met in order to end child labor in a positive way. Quite frankly, not saying anything for a day is a useless gesture. If you really cared about them, you could have dispensed with the charade and sent 5 bucks to one of the charities that helps fight worldwide poverty.

I see some of your point. But this was about raising awareness. Not a fundraiser.

But if you think about it. The amount the U.S.A spends on military in one year could bring the world out of poverty. So take out 1/4 of military for 4 years.

And you were talking about money being useless here and buying a meal there. Well instead of buying a meal the money could go towards a chicken or two. That would provide eggs, and meat later on.

All I'm saying is that there are some terrible things going on. And this was one way people could have raised awareness.

Oh and yes, [Vow of Silence]

JupiterStarWarrior · Mar 07, 2009, 07:47 AM // 07:47

I can't. I won't. In my line of work, I have to have a voice. In my line of work, I have to talk. So, how can I make a vow that I have no choice but to break?

Besides, it would be pointless.

pumpkin pie · Mar 07, 2009, 10:28 AM // 10:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winterclaw

So if these children stop working in those poverty stricken countries, how exactly are they or their families, if any, going to replace that money so they can eat? I mean a buck is worthless here but it might buy those kids the only meal they are going to have that day over there. If you do the math, that's at least 73 billion a year more in charity that people are going to have to live just to keep those kids in their current conditions. And that's not talking about health care, schooling, etc.

Now I'm not against helping the children, but there are conditions that have to be met in order to end child labor in a positive way. Quite frankly, not saying anything for a day is a useless gesture. If you really cared about them, you could have dispensed with the charade and sent 5 bucks to one of the charities that helps fight worldwide poverty.

I think you can send the 5 bucks if you like http://www.freethechildren.com/donate/index.php

I am not talking either lol, if I do, my neighbour will think I am mad talking to myself.

Yang Whirlwind · Mar 07, 2009, 01:59 PM // 13:59

We have seen several of these "gimmick events" during the last years and I agree that they get the attention of some of the people who would ignore a call for cash donations.
It is not only about getting money to change the world,- it is about making people understand the severity of the problem.

It would however be physically impossible for me to shut my trap for that long without exploding

Not to mention that I have work to attend to here and in RL.

talisk3 · Mar 07, 2009, 03:59 PM // 15:59

@ Yang and Jupiter.
That is the point. It is supposed to be hard. I had to attend school. A few of the TEACHERS didn't talk. That's very very hard.

Yang Whirlwind · Mar 07, 2009, 04:56 PM // 16:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by talisk3

@ Yang and Jupiter.
That is the point. It is supposed to be hard. I had to attend school. A few of the TEACHERS didn't talk. That's very very hard.

I do not think it is appropriate for a teacher to compromise their obligations like that. If I had been a student in that class I would seriously have considered filing a complaint.
I take it the "no texting" rule would prevent the teacher from writing on the black-board? Effectively preventing the teacher from communicating with the class? In my book that teacher did not do his job while attending this event,- something that should have consequences.
This is something people should only do if they have leisure to do so,- take a day off from work, arrange workload to allow for this or similar. Not something they should do at the expense of others.

talisk3 · Mar 07, 2009, 05:02 PM // 17:02

Nope, he/she can write things down. That's how it worked. Also, recording the lesson the day before on a tape/C.D.

Yang Whirlwind · Mar 07, 2009, 05:06 PM // 17:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by talisk3

Nope, he/she can write things down. That's how it worked. Also, recording the lesson the day before on a tape/C.D.

Both measures seems to violate the no texting and talking rule, but on the other hand these "cheats" would allow the teacher to participate without compromising his job.

Lyynyyrd · Mar 07, 2009, 07:36 PM // 19:36

This shit was a good way to get out of highschool classes.

Pointless in the long run, though. Child labour is an integral part of those countries/societies, forcing the big corporations out would only 'cause more problems for the resources.

MisterB · Mar 07, 2009, 09:23 PM // 21:23

I'm sorry, but this is asinine. How does silence help even one of these children, at all? How is silence related at all to increasing awareness of this issue? How are you supposed to spread information? If someone asks you why you are silent, or won't answer, then how does that serve to inform them of your cause? Furthermore, this action in no way helps any of the children directly at all. The action has no direct effect whatsoever on the problem. /rant

I am opposed to slavery in all forms, and certainly support efforts to help these children, but more meaningful support that actually helps them should be undertaken rather than this silliness.

MMSDome · Mar 07, 2009, 09:53 PM // 21:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by talisk3

I see some of your point. But this was about raising awareness. Not a fundraiser.

But if you think about it. The amount the U.S.A spends on military in one year could bring the world out of poverty. So take out 1/4 of military for 4 years.

And you were talking about money being useless here and buying a meal there. Well instead of buying a meal the money could go towards a chicken or two. That would provide eggs, and meat later on.

All I'm saying is that there are some terrible things going on. And this was one way people could have raised awareness.

Oh and yes, [Vow of Silence]

Why does the U.S. have to bail the world out? RED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GO that we are already in debt and now we have to pay some bullshit stimulus package and you think the US should cure the world of poverty? No thats not our problem thats their own countries problem.

If you want to get this country out of debt America needs to stop being every other country's bitch and isolate itself from all the other bloodsucking countries.

fenix · Mar 07, 2009, 11:35 PM // 23:35

Dome is half right. If you want to save the world from poverty, stop trying to leech from the US. Get ALL of the successful nations to chip in a small amount, like 10m each, and BANG, problem solved.

Only, the people in poverty would be BACK in poverty, because they would just waste their money and be poor again.

Zahr Dalsk · Mar 08, 2009, 02:53 AM // 02:53

"F*ck the children." - George Carlin
I agree with the man.

Also, fenix is right - giving them money hasn't worked so far and I doubt it ever will; they don't know what to do with it. Just leave them alone, let them sort it out themselves.