Many people do not know about how prominent child slave labor is in
today's society. Small children and adolescents are carrying out these
horrific lifestyles all over the world. Our purpose is to aware people
who may not be familiar with the extent of child slave labor or even
know that it exists. We try to include small details that consumers
may not recognize when purchasing items so that the way of life for
these unfortunate children is not supported any further. It is up
to you to decide whether or not you will continue to purchase the
items made by children under such terrible conditions. The most we
can do is keep everyone aware of the severity of child slave labor
and hope that people will make the sacrifice to support other companies
that honestly manufacture their products. The students and faculty
of Immaculata
High School are very concerned about the problem of child slave
labor. Each year, the senior U.S. History II Honors class, taught
by Miss Joann Fantina, publishes numerous newsletters throughout the
year covering many aspects of child slave labor. A new group of students
takes over the project each year as the previous class graduates.
It is a common interest among the students and is continued enthusiastically
year after year. Thank you for visiting our site, and we hope that
you find it interesting and informative.
- Brett Peterson '99
Immaculata Students Take A Stand
by: Joann Fantina (edited for 99-00 by the storm)
The number of Americans aware of the abuses of child slavery grows
daily, and Immaculata High School students are instrumental in informing
people of this issue. The over 250 million enslaved children worldwide
are not forgotten, hundreds of organizations are working to win their
freedom.
In 1997, under the guidance of Dr. Joseph Muzas, the Technology
Director at Immaculata, the US History II honor class developed
a web page and newsletter entitled Child Slave Labor News. Class
of 98 students, Chris O'Hare and John DeRosa spearheaded the program.
Thanks to Miss Irene Mageletta's purchase and donation of a publisher
program the students were able to create an impressive newsletter.
Thanks also to Mr. William Shanahan, of Shanahan Stationary Supplies,
for publishing all the issues at no charge.
In late November 1998, the National Labor Committee had a candlelight
prayer protest in front of NIKETOWN and DISNEY on 57th street in
NYC. Immaculata student newsletters were handed out at this protest
- hundreds of the Child Slave Labor News were distributed. The students
have received a few dozen comments from that rally. Louise Thompson,
of Madison Avenue, NYC remarked: "It is splendid! How can I subscribe?"
Adrienne Henson of the Bronx also wrote requesting a subscription
and more information. The newsletter has really evolved under last
year's editor Donna Rossi. She and her various assistant editors
deserve credit for assuring the professional level of the newsletter.
This website, created and designed by Michael Romero has also received
much positive feedback. Columbia University, Florida International
University and University of Michigan are just a few of the schools
that have contacted Immaculata in support of their program. The
students maintain contact with dozens of labor groups and others
fighting this evil in society.
One goal of the newsletter is to make people aware of alternatives
"It is possible to buy distinctive gifts without endangering the
welfare of others." said Class of 99 student Margee McDonald, "For
example, how about handmade jewelry and dreamcatchers. Aspen Trading
Post is a company based in Colorado that makes these items available.
You can access them on the internet at http://www.aspentradingpost.com.
Many people enjoy giving cuddly stuffed animals to their sweetheart.
Avoid large companies that produce their toys in foreign countries.
Teddy bears are available through British Motoring Teddy Bears at
www.tiac.net. This company, based in Massachusetts, sells handmade
original bears." Classmate Steve Hawryluk offers this alternative
to child slave labor "In today's world, many of the goods bought
by consumers in every country are produced through methods of child
slave labor. However, there is one organization involved in putting
an end to this terrible act. This company is called Rugmark (http://www.rugmark.org),
an international program attempting to end child slave labor in
the the production of carpets in factories in South Asia."
Class of 99 student Ed Fisher, in his research on Chentex (http://www.cleanclothes.org/1/chentex2.htm),
a contract company used by Wal-Mart, Kmart and JC Penny, learned
". . .so-called employees of Chentex are actually slave laborers,
they are forced to work overtime and are locked inside the factory
compound These workers earn a base wage of .19 cents an hour, and
work 12 hour workdays 6 or 7 days a week." Brett Peterson, a class
of 99 student, summarized the purpose of the newsletter: "Many people
do not know how prominent child slave labor is in today's society.
Small children and adolescents are carrying out horrific lifestyles
all over the world. Our purpose is to bring this problem to people
who may not be familiar with the extent of child slave labor or
even know that it exists."
More and more people are helping these victims of modern slavery.
Some states, cities and counties are taking action to ban the purchase
of goods made by slaves. The archdiocese of Newark is currently
working on forbidding the purchase of any slave made goods in its
parishes. By the year 2000 all contracts in the archdiocese will
have the anti-slave clause in them. Take this hint from the students
of Immaculata: " be an aware shopper, look at labels, avoid buying
products that are imported from countries that support slave labor,
especially child slave labor."
The purpose of this website is to give users instant access
to the news that we find out, and to keep the user informed with
assorted information, including various links and organizations
to contact.
Please Note:
We strive to provide truthful and accurate information about the
conditions of labor all around the world. We invite any individual
or company to question our material and correct us, as long as they
provide the proof that we are incorrect. All material has come from
reputable sources and checked in every manner possible.
Information for each article is obtained off the Internet and from
publications by organizations fighting slave labor.
