It Is For Freedom

"Justice at its best is love correcting all that stands against Love."
- Martin Luther King Jr.

I attended an annual teacher's conference at my university today and choose to go to an Equity and Social Justice workshop. The speaker spent an hour and a half going over hundreds of great resources to start discussions in the classroom revolving around equity, diversity and social justice.

One book caught my attention and I ended up buying it after that workshop. It's called The Carpet Boy's Gift by Pegi Deitz Shea. It's the story about a boy working in a rug factory as a bonded slave in Pakistan. One day, he hears voices in the street of children saying,

"We are free!"

The voices approach this little boys factory and he meets Iqbal Masih, who was once a bonded child slave working in a carpet factory. He had escaped after 6 years of child labor and soon found out that a law had been passed in his country that banned child workers! He then became a huge advocate for other child laborers and brought international attention to their situation. At such a young age - he educated other children who were in a similar situation as he. He told them that they indeed could be free.

After visiting different parts of the world, he returned home. And on one unfortunate day, as he was riding his bicycle in his hometown, he was shot. At just 12 years old, the young children's rights fighter was killed.

But his story goes on in the lives of those who responded and reacted to the harsh realities of child slavery around the world. One of those who responded was Craig Kielburger, a young junior high at that time. Through the story of Iqbal, Craig has, since then, dedicated his life to fighting for a child's right for education through Free the Children. (See previous post)

These stories really stir up something in me. In fact, this whole school year thus far, has really created in me a huge longing to do something about all that's wrong in this world for the sake of our children. Maybe it's because my professors and my host school this year are so passionate about the 'underdogs' in our society. Maybe it's because I'm graduating soon and I'm really starting to see where I want to dedicate my life to. Maybe it's because I'm also starting to define what I really believe in and what I want to be a part of. I just don't want my life to be 'ordinary' in any way. I want it to count for what matters most. Just gotta wait and see what will unfold out of this...I trust Him :)

It is for freedom He sets us free...