Children being children
Aim:
Show the contrast between children's potential, and how they can be exploited.
You will need:
Large piece of paper, magazines/brochures/catalogues featuring young people, materials from children's organisations*, scissors, glue, coloured pens.
Duration:
45 minutes
*Contact organisations working on child exploitation to ask for leaflets about their work, and print out pictures from their websites. See the useful websites for some possible organisations to contact.
Explain that while most children are fortunate, and enjoy a happy, safe childhood, some children have a difficult time. They may be exploited in different ways, such as having to do unsafe work, becoming soldiers or being sexually exploited. It is important to raise awareness about these issues, to try and prevent them from happening.
Find images to cut out of two different types. One type should be children being exploited, such as working in mines, farming or selling things. The other type should be pictures of children enjoying themselves, fulfilling their potential and being able to be children e.g. playing, making things, doing sport, learning, having fun. You can also draw extra pictures to stick on to represent other things.
On a large piece of paper arrange the images and add words to convey your message. You may want to have one side for each type, but the design is up to you. Display your collage somewhere where people will be able to see it.