Global Child THE MAGAZINE OF PLAN IN AUSTRALIA | WINTER 2014
Her Own Boss
One girl’s journey to independence
The right to protection What does it really mean?
Celebrating the world's game
the
Plan story Founded more than 75 years ago, Plan is one of the oldest and largest children's development organisations in the world with no political affiliations or religious agenda. We work at the grassroots to empower communities to overcome poverty so that children have the opportunity to reach their full potential. We encourage children to be actively
involved in improving their communities. We unite, empower and inspire people around the globe to champion every child’s right to survive, develop to the fullest, be protected from harmful influences, abuse and exploitation and participate fully in family, cultural and social life. Together with our supporters we can transform the world for children.
Transform the world for children. Front cover: Eighteen-year-old Nipa is running her own business in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Read her story on page 14. Inside cover: Santiago, 15, attended a Plan-supported course where he learnt public speaking at his pre-secondary school in Timor-Leste. WINTER 2014 The Magazine of Plan in Australia Global Child 2
By Ian Wishart CEO, Plan International Australia
Changing the world starts with you. I grew up in Adelaide, barracking for the Sturt Football Club, and watching the game on telly every weekend. I went to school and my family had everything a kid needed to be happy. But then my dad got a job in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, to work as a Communications Engineer. At 11 years old I went from being a normal Australian kid, to one of few white children in a country very different to Australia. Filled with different cultures and people – it was mind-blowing. Port Moresby in the ‘70s was like a living in an adventure novel – it was really exciting. On the weekends, we’d hit the jungle and walk the Kokoda Trail. But it was also incredibly eye-opening, too. Down the street from where we lived, there was a
squatter settlement. There were children just like me, except they were living in extreme poverty, not going to school and struggling to survive. That was my first experience of being faced with the challenge of accepting poverty, or changing it. On my journey, I’ve worked in the public sector, and also the corporate world. But these things weren’t ‘me’ – so at 27 I had a quarter life crisis, and tapped into my inner dreamer – what was it that I dreamt of doing? It was always about helping people in developing countries. So I remembered what I saw as an 11–year–old boy and decided I was going to stop wasting time and help. Now, as CEO at Plan International Australia, we are working together to change poverty – not to accept it.
At a point in your life, you also decided not to accept poverty. Thank you so much for deciding to change it. This issue of Global Child tells incredible stories of change: learn about the confidence Sara gained by playing football, the protection Lamana sought after walking out of her marriage, and the leadership Nipa is showing with her small business. We also talk to one of our incredible Youth Pact members about why he, like you, wants to make the world a better place. Again, thank you for your support. Change is happening.
Contents Community News
THE VOICE OF YOUTH
4 Events and updates
16 Giving back: one Youth Pact member tells Plan what he cares about
PLAN IN ACTION 8 A kick of confidence: kids on the field playing the world’s game
GLOBAL LEARNING 18 Culture club: films and books about child rights
10 The right to protection: what does it really mean?
SUPPORTERS IN FOCUS
12 Breaking the cycle of poverty: a world record smashed, and a win for children
20 The power of letter writing
14 Her own boss: the journey to independence
22 Five minutes with: one of our most determined fundraisers
Global Child Winter 2014, Vol.37. Global Child is the magazine of Plan International Australia and is published biannually. Editorial enquiries: editor@plan.org.au Plan International Australia | Address: 18/60 City Road, Southbank, Melbourne VIC 3006 | Phone: 13 75 26 Fax: 03 9670 1130 | Email: info@plan.org.au | Web: www.plan.org.au To support Plan visit www.plan.org.au. Donations to Plan of $2 or more are tax deductible. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Plan. © 2014. All material in Global Child is under copyright; however, articles and photographs may be reproduced with permission from Plan. Plan is a signatory to the ACFID Code of Conduct and is a trusted recipient of funding from the Australian Government.
Community
News
We've joined the Insta-sphere! Plan’s Instagram account is officially locked and loaded – you can find us at @plan_australia. Plan takes your privacy very seriously. With the recent changes to the Privacy Act, our Privacy Policy has changed to demonstrate our commitment to you.
Follow us for powerful images from Plan staff in the field, news, events, competitions and keep up to date with ways you can help children who need it most.
To see the new policy please visit our website.
Around the world A speedy round-up of events and news that have caught our attention recently. 27 March South-East Asia is declared polio-free. 6 April The world recognised the 20th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide which resulted in at least 800,000 deaths. 14 April Approximately 276 female students were kidnapped from a Nigerian secondary school, capturing the world’s attention. Be a part of the conversation #BringBackOurGirls.
20 May Thailand’s army declared martial law covering the whole country. The army said in a statement that they had taken the action to "keep peace and order and provide safety to people". 23 May After 537 million votes were cast, the Hindu nationalist group celebrated a huge victory when their prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi was announced to lead India.
30 May The Guardian released a confidential report revealing children in detention at Nauru are at serious risk. Plan has called on the Australian Government for urgent action.
A shout out to Dads!
Around the world there are millions of dads fighting for their daughter’s right to education. One of our favourite dads is Ziauddin Yousafzai, a steadfast crusader for women’s rights in Pakistan and father of Malala.
"Why is my daughter so strong?” he asks. “Because I didn’t clip her wings."
a
You can buy your dad a gift from plan.org.au/giftsofhope
Father’s Day is on 7 September
lights, camera, action! Watch these powerful short films at
youtube .com . au planaustralia
Lamanas' s t o r y
Lamana was forced into marriage when she was 15 years old. Her husband, who was twice her age, would not let her leave the house and would beat her if she tried. Every year, 14 million girls are forced into marriage before their 18th birthday. This is one child bride’s story.
WINTER 2014
Goal THE
Favourite
THINGS Meet Hannock! A one five-yearold Ethiopian boy who dreams of becoming a professional runner. And a pilot. And a footballer. In this short film, the true power of his right to play unfolds.
SHOOTER
C H R I S T I N E ' S
S TO RY
For a teenage girl, getting your period for the first time can be overwhelming. When you don’t understand what’s happening to your body, it can be terrifying. In Uganda, many girls miss school because of their period – and some drop out altogether. But not Christine.
The Magazine of Plan in Australia Global Child 5
Community
News
Quentin Bryce The
Dates for your calendar 12 August International Youth Day 19 August World Humanitarian Day 7 September Father’s Day 5 October World Teacher’s Day 11 October International Day of the Girl 16 October World Food Day 20 November Universal Children’s Day 3 December International Day of Persons with Disabilities 10 December Human Rights Day
Honour able
AD CVO
continues support for plan We are thrilled to continue our relationship with long-standing supporter of girls’ rights, the Honourable Quentin Bryce. Following her departure as Australia’s Governor General, she will remain a patron of Plan International Australia.
Saywhat? We love hearing from our supporters via Plan’s social media channels. Here are some posts that recently caught our attention. Keep the comments, tweets, posts and likes coming!
Hey Plan, I just realised that this is my 25th year of Plan sponsorship! @ktibus Received my sponsor pack today – I love that you can write letters to the kids! If I write one will it be properly translated? Thanks again, I think this group is great! @BreeDodds
Hi, @Bree Dodds! We translate all your letters so your sponsored children can enjoy them! Learn more on page 20. So one of my sponsored kids through Plan International has flown the coop. I've had Tetteh for over four years and he just turned 18 so no longer receives sponsorship. I feel like a mother with my first born moving out for the first time. Wishing him success in life as a young man. I've just taken on a new boy, 12-year-old Alexandre. He and nine-year-old Helena make up my little overseas family now. @Karaa J Saal-Bust
KEEP IN TOUCH @PlanAustralia
facebook.com/ PlanAustralia
YouTube.com/ PlanAustralia
HIGH SCHOOLERS
Listen Up!
ADVENTURERS,
UNITE! Due to the overwhelming success of the Cycle for Girls challenge in March, we’re doing it again! Dare to be different, and take on the once-in-a-lifetime experience. Over eight days, you’ll cycle 400km through two of the most beautiful countries in the world, directly impact Plan’s work and see the results firsthand. Funds raised will contribute to changing lives, and you’ll celebrate International Day of the Girl in Cambodia with some of the girls and women Plan works with. Megan celebrated her 40th birthday by signing up to Cycle for Girls. “It was an experience of a lifetime – meeting an incredible group of diverse people all with a common goal; understanding the heartbreaking history of Cambodia and Vietnam; riding past beautiful, happy children screaming out “hello, hello” all day and meeting parents who hope for a happier childhood for their children and a brighter future.” If you’re ready to explore Cambodia and Vietnam on two wheels, sign up to our adventure from 3–14 October. Be quick – places are filling up fast! Visit plan.org.au/Get-Involved.
The right to protection: what does it really mean? Drawing from her year's of experience living in Pakistan, our Senior Child Rights Specialist Sophie Shugg explains. See page 10
“If Artif was able to claim his right to protection then he wouldn’t have to flee his village, work on the dangerous streets, or drop out of school.” WINTER 2014
One in five girls is denied an education due to the daily realities of poverty, conflict and discrimination. Plan seeks to highlight these issues to the world and say enough is enough – we will not tolerate that girls don’t get to learn, that gender discrimination, poverty, violence and forced marriage is the reality for millions of girls. Girls’ rights are human rights. What if you were denied your rights? It’s hard to imagine, but it’s easy to help. Visit Plan's website where you can: ! Learn about the issues girls face and what Plan is doing about it. ! Raise critically needed funds by holding your own events. ! Advocate on the issues girls face and raise awareness on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. You have the power to help break the cycle of poverty. Check out Plan’s resources for secondary school students today. Visit plan.org.au/youthandschools or contact partnerships@plan.org.au if you have any questions.
With your help x
equals
6
million
kilos of FOOD
800,000 South Sudanese people have fled their homes and 20,000 people have been killed. Thousands are yet to return to farms, and food supply is dire for the year ahead. You have raised more than $500,000 through our South Sudan Food Appeal for South Sudanese refugees. With the UN 12:1 life-saving food grant, every dollar was multiplied by 12. That equals six million kilograms of food for people who need it most. Thank you. The Magazine of Plan in Australia Global Child 7
PLAN in ACTION
A
KICK of CONFIDENCE We've had a ball watching the FIFA World Cup! When billions of people around the world jump out of their seats, throw their hands in the air and cheer for their country – what’s more exciting than that? To celebrate the end of the World Cup, here are children we’ve met around the world who share our love for the game.
The Girls Football Project in Brazil aims to empower underprivileged girls through football. Besides learning how to play football, the girls attend workshops on topics such as child rights and gender prejudices.
Sara wasn’t always a confident teenager living in Brazil – but now she’s ready to take on the world.
A
ccording to her mother, 16-year-old Sara used to be a shy, quiet girl, afraid of playing sport in a team. Two years later, Sara is part of Plan’s Girl’s Football Project and is kicking goals – not just on the field.
Santiago, 15, playing with neighbours at his school in Timor-Leste.
“I didn’t know how to play anything, but I have already made progress,” says Sara. “My brother used to criticise me saying footballs were not toys for girls, but now he calls me and teaches me how to play.” As well as learning how to play football, Sara has gained other skills. Plan’s project includes workshops that educate children about important issues such as their rights, gender, citizenship, ethnic background, and sexual and reproductive health. Thanks to the workshops, Sara now feels capable of talking and discussing these issues with others. The project has also given Sara the confidence to take on lots of other activities. She juggles her school work with appropriate household chores, homework, studying, reading and playing guitar.
Patience, 13, is a student and keen soccer player a school in Ghana. Her favourite subject is Information Technology, but her school has no computers, so her class relies entirely on textbooks.
Sara thanks the Girls’ Football Project for giving her the confidence to pursue her dreams. It’s inspired her to work with an organisation like Plan in the future. “When I graduate in Business Administration and have a job, I want to be able to invest in projects from serious organisations such as Plan International that has helped many families and communities such as mine,” says Sara.
Girls playing football in Colombia.
Sara (right) has gained confidence through Plan's Girl's Football Project.
PLAN in ACTION
Protection: what does it really mean?
When Sophie Shugg moved to Islamabad from her hometown in Hobart, her view of the world transformed. After years working in the field with children, she returned to Australia to join Plan as our Senior Child Rights Specialist. As our Right to Protection campaign draws close, Sophie explains this crucial right of every child.
E
veryone has the right to be safe and protected. For many of us, it’s hard to understand what ‘protection’ means, or what it feels like to be ‘protected’. This is because most of us are fortunate enough to feel safe and secure in our everyday lives. Growing up in a safe and supportive neighbourhood, surrounded by family who are able to care for me meant that I took feeling safe and protected for granted. It wasn’t until I started living in countries like Pakistan that I understood what it felt like to be unsafe; knowing I couldn’t roam the streets, travel without armed guards, or go to the market to buy vegetables because it was too dangerous. And I’m an adult!
are trying to protect “ They themselves in an environment with very limited options. ”
For many Pakistani girls and boys, everyday life is threatened by the fear of being unsafe. Children are unable to go to school, play outside with their friends, or ask for help when they need it. This is what it feels like when your right to protection is not being met and these are the experiences of the boys and girls I worked with in Pakistan. I have been fortunate to have met many courageous and inspiring children who have told me amazing stories about their fight for survival. However, these are not the stories I’m going to talk about as they are not mine to tell. Instead, I would like to tell you a story of my own, a daily dilemma I faced while living in Pakistan. Artif is 12 years old and spends all day selling newspapers at a busy intersection in downtown Islamabad. Every day on the way to work Artif tried to sell me a newspaper and every day I refused to buy one. I know that children have the right to go to school, and if I supported Artif selling papers in school hours then I was blocking his right to education. Artif would tell me the reasons why I should buy his newspapers: his father was killed in Pakistan's ongoing civil conflict; his brother was left in their village as he had a disability so couldn’t walk the long distance to escape the violence, and he needed money to arrange the marriage of his sister. Every time he told me another piece of his puzzle I found myself asking questions
WINTER 2014
like, “why doesn’t he realise if he gets an education he will be able to earn more money”, “why is his mother not out here selling papers instead”, and “why don’t the police arrest the person sending these children to work”. I asked them as if they were questions that Artif and his family had not thought of, options which they had not realised. However, the fact is: Artif is trying to protect his family by selling newspapers and Artif’s mother is trying to feed her family by arranging her 15-year-old daughter’s marriage. They are trying to protect themselves in an environment with very limited options. If Artif was able to claim his right to protection then he wouldn’t have to flee his village, work on the dangerous streets, or drop out of school. Ensuring the right to protection for children is the responsibility of parents, guardians, the community and the government. They need to keep children safe and empower them to realise their full potential. In an environment like Pakistan where options for parents are limited and the government is struggling to maintain control, support from Plan is needed. Artif’s mother needs support to get a job so she doesn’t have to rely on Artif’s income. The Pakistani government needs to strengthen its laws and law enforcement to stop Artif’s boss being able to take advantage of vulnerable children like Artif. For Artif, he just wants to go to school, play with his friends, and plan for his future. So, the question remains. Should I have bought a newspaper from Artif? Is buying the newspaper helping Artif claim his right to protection? What do you think? Join us in the discussion on Facebook. facebook.com/planaustralia
Senior Child Rights Specialist Sophie Shugg with displaced children in a Pakistani refugee camp.
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Lamana’s story When she was 15, Lamana walked out on her husband after experiencing abuse at her home in Cameroon. But now she is on the road to independence and knows she, like all girls, have the right to protection. “My father is always reminding us … don’t think about marriage, think about going to school and about your education. My father’s dream is now for his daughters to finish school and get jobs,” she says.
Meet Lamana in a short film at youtube.com/planaustralia Support children to access their right to protection and become a Supporter of Change. supporterofchange.org.au
Lamana, 18, tells Plan how she is now accessing her right to protection. GLOBAL CHILD 11
PLAN in ACTION
BREAK I N G the cyc l e of pov ert y
Kate Leeming’s world record-breaking journey across Africa The length our supporters go to reducing poverty is incredible. One particularly extraordinary supporter – Kate Leeming, also a thrill-seeker, adventurer, and prosportswoman – cycled from one side of Africa to the other, and she was the first person in history to do so. Over 10 months, and 22,000 kilometres, she battled injury, exhaustion, African authorities, sand, mud, tsetse flies and extreme heat. She also discovered beauty in the diverse culture of the continent and saw firsthand the causes and effects of poverty.
Why tour Africa on bike? It allowed me to be incredibly connected to the people and the land, and gave me a different perspective of Africa and poverty. Plus it added more meaning to the story.
You came face-to-face with extreme poverty, something that many Australians never see. What did poverty look like to you? Poverty comes in many different guises, but it’s about being disempowered. Riding along, I was often being followed by a whole lot of kids running alongside me – well, my first thought was “you should be in school!” You can see they are out there working in the fields. And then when you visit health centres and hospitals – you see things there that could have been treated easily in countries like Australia.
Moments captured along Kate’s trip across Africa.
THE JOURNEY
t
Star
AFRICA A favourite moment you shared with local people?
SOMALIA
SENEGAL
I was cycling with a team mate, and we stopped 10 kilometres from the river – it was 40 degrees – and I thought we’d take it easy and sit under a tree. A couple of locals came up with a bowl of water, and rice and fish – it was so nice. There were no wells nearby, so they would have had to carry the water from miles away that morning. And they shared it with us.
h
Finis
What did you learn about Plan’s projects in the field? In eastern Cameroon where Plan runs its Rights and Dignity Program, there’s a minority group that have been forced out of the forest and into a society where they are trying to integrate. Plan was doing amazing things by ensuring the children of this minority group had birth certificates – because without a birth certificate children can’t access their right to health care, or even sit their exams at school.
Read more about Kate’s journey in her book Njinga, available from her website kateleeming.com from mid-September.
Pre-order your copy today.
10
$
of every book sold FRom 15 september to 15 october will support Plan s projects to break the cycle of poverty around the world.
PLAN in ACTION
Her OWN BOSS A story by Isabel Dunstan
In Dhaka, Bangladesh, the average young woman is faced with limited options – to survive, she’s either forced into early marriage, into work under poor conditions for minimum wage or less, or living in extreme poverty. But in a small village on the outskirts of the city, one young woman’s drive and creativity has been harnessed. Now, 18-year-old Nipa is her own boss.
N
ipa lives with her parents, three sisters and her brother in a rickety house made from bamboo and tin sheets. She sleeps in one bed with two of her sisters. Nipa explains, “The majority of Bangladesh lives in houses like this.” Come monsoon season in the middle of the year, the house sways, which she says can be scary. Her backyard, the bank of the mighty Buriganga River, is overgrown and littered with piles of fabric scraps washed up from the garment factories on the other side of the water. The fabric you can see in her backyard feature shades of pink, teal and lilac – colours that will appear in department stores around the world next season.
Her father, once a shoe factory worker, wasn’t making enough income to send all his children to school as well as feed the family. So, at 15 years old, Nipa’s only option was to leave school and find work in a factory just like the ones that can be seen from her house. Nipa’s is a common story in Bangladesh. The country’s booming garment industry relies on paying people minimum wage (approximately $40 AUD a month) in unsafe work environments. There are nearly 5,000 garment factories in Bangladesh, with 85% of the workers women. When secondary school fees are high, and women are expected to earn, as well as manage their households, it’s clear why many
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girls discontinue their studies early and opt for a life of working long hours in a factory. Untrained, and competing with the thousands of other girls in her position, Nipa struggled to find a break. Until she came up with a brilliant idea – and the support network to bring it to life. Nipa decided she wanted to manufacture motorcycle grips – a product that’s in high demand in a bustling city like Dhaka – with her cousin. “I am involving my whole family in the production of grips from our home,” Nipa explains with an enormous, confident smile. “We produce around 300 pairs a day, and take them to market.” She employs her parents and siblings, who all sit together, as they slice up foam materials, glue the strips together for malleability, and use an electric tool to mould each grip into a sturdy product. Much like a production line seen in the factories across the river, Nipa’s family members are each playing their part to keep the business growing. Nipa caught the attention of B’YEAH, a local organisation which encourages young job-seekers to pursue entrepreneurship. Through its outreach program, she developed her business idea and entered into the Plan-supported Young Women’s Entrepreneurship Development program (YWED) in which it's
The Magazine of Plan in Australia Global Child 14
Nipa (front right), her two siblings and father making a batch of motorbike handlebar grips at their home in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
grown into an income-generating operation that supports her entire family. Through the program she is gaining bookkeeping and business development skills as well as self-respect and confidence. Nipa is learning to count her gross profit and loss on a daily, weekly and monthly basis, while calculating savings so she can plan the expansion of her business. Currently, the income earned is sending her younger sister to school, and providing clothes and food for each family member. “I feel independent and confident and now I can move around whenever I want, with permission from my parents – I can buy what I like, and eat what I like,” Nipa says. “Compared to many women my age, I’m free.” Sometimes Nipa spots her handlebar grips on motorbikes on the street. “It’s exciting when I see my motorbike grips used by local people,” she says. “Sometimes I stop to tell people that I made the grips myself.”
exciting when I see my “ It’s motorbike grips used by local
people,” she says. “Sometimes I stop to tell people that I made the grips myself.
“
Through the YWED program, Nipa has financial independence, confidence and – most importantly, for a young woman with determination – room to grow. The concept of women entrepreneurship is not well accepted in Bangladesh, with women owning less than 3% of all enterprises and most banks favouring men in their loan-giving schemes. But Nipa is also advancing her business skills via her mentor, successful businesswoman Ashfar Haq Lopa. Ashfar owns IT and television production companies in Bangladesh. Ashfa can see a part of herself in Nipa. “It takes courage and determination to pursue business in Bangladesh, particularly if you’re female,” she says. “Nipa has both these things.” While Ashfa is helping Nipa’s business develop, she doesn’t want her mentee to miss out on what’s most important in every
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girl’s life: her education. “I really want her to go back to her studies. And she’s promised me that she will,” Ashfa says. “She will manage the business for another six months or so then she will go back part-time so she can do both.” Naturally a goalsetter, Nipa hasn’t lost sight of her studies either. “My friends are a source of inspiration for me – they are encouraging me to keep my business growing, but they also want me to go back to school once the business is developed,” Nipa says. “Right now I can’t invest time in my study, but I’ll start again next January through Open University. Then I’ll be able to manage both my studies and my business.” Nipa’s conversations with her friends reveal what young Bangladeshi women want in their lives: just like young women in Australia, it’s the opportunity to study, succeed, and make their own choices. Nipa also dreams of expanding her business. The YWED program has been negotiating with a local bank, allowing Nipa a loan of BDT 350,000 (almost AUD $5,000). Using the loan, she’ll move the business to a larger space where she can employ other young, disadvantaged women and even start manufacturing seats for rickshaws – a very common and cost-effective mode of transport in Dhaka. “Not all women feel safe to go out into the community – so I know I can give them work to do at home,” Nipa says. “I’d like to focus on employing underprivileged women in the future so they can support their families.” Nipa is not dissimilar to millions of women around the world whose life opportunities are limited due to a lack of education. But with her vision for a better life, she is setting an example for everyone around her, and playing her part in breaking the cycle of poverty.
Nipa, 18, doing her accounts at the end of the day.
The Magazine of Plan in Australia Global Child 15
The
Voice
of Youth
Giving Back Provide all children with an education, and we’ll save the planet. This is 24-year-old Anthony Lee’s vision, and we think he's right. We sat down with the Youth Pact member for a chat about rights, children in detention and what drives him to give back to the world.
Anthony, 24, one of Plan's Youth Pact members.
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The Magazine of Plan in Australia Global Child 16
We're calling on our government to act! Why did you get involved with Plan? My parents were refugees from Vietnam. My dad came over in the ’80s by boat and he managed to sail it himself by nailing a compass to the front of the boat. Knowing that story, I decided that if you’re going to live – live with a purpose. My parents came over, across the open seas, to give me a good life. So I don’t want to waste it; I want to give back and live with a sense of urgency. So then I thought about how I can actually make an impact.
I feel privileged to have an education and want to develop my skills and knowledge and use them to help people and non-profit organisations such as Plan in solving our 'problem' together. Then I read The Blue Economy by Gunter Pauli – which is all about how to curb global warming. Global warming is occurring because of over‑population and over‑consumption. So how do you fix these things? In Australia, the average age a woman gets married and has children is a lot higher than in developing countries. And that’s because they have more educational opportunities. They feel empowered, they can do things and work. So that’s when I started looking at organisations that focus on girls and women’s education. I think that if all children had access to their right to education – particularly for girls and women – it would address issues around over-population and over-consumption, which would in turn reduce global warming. I really believe that.
Children held in Australian immigration detention are currently at risk of abuse, neglect and disease. Plan has formally called on the Federal Government to establish a permanent and independent group to monitor and report on the treatment of children held in Australian immigration detention. You can too: write to the Prime Minister and Minister for Immigration and demand monitoring of children to ensure their welfare. We've created a template letter you can send at plan.org.au/blog.
If you could sit down with Minister Scott Morrison and Prime Minister Tony Abbott for an hour, what would you say to them? It’d be interesting to talk to them about – politics aside – what do they see as a better Australia, or a better world? What’s their perfect vision? I’d like to get their perspective on that, and then we can work together to create that. But I want to know why they’ve taken the positions they have. Do they want to see a multicultural Australia where everyone has a fair chance? If not, then they’re really not the right people to do these jobs.
Join the conversation at facebook.com/YouthPACT
Given your parent's story, what do you think about asylum seekers living in Australian detention right now? I can see it from both sides. For the children, it’s not a good thing. Suddenly you’re in school and now you’re in Australia locked up. But then again the parents are fleeing their countries which might be war-torn, and they’re expecting better opportunities here. But if everyone does that, then demand will be really high and that’s a lot of pressure on the government. The only thing we can do is provide the children with education and better protection so they feel safe in learning and living where they are.
Join our Youth Advisory Panel and make a difference Are you aged between 18 and 25, and want to change the world? Here’s your chance! Plan in Australia is calling out to young, globally minded people for its first-ever first Youth Advisory Panel – who will directly advise our Board of Directors and shape the organisation’s decisions. Two members from the panel will go on to be full Board Members.
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You don't need any special skills or experience, just a passion for making the world a better place. We will provide full training and support.
Excited? We are! Contact victoria.kahla@plan.org.au for a role overview and application form.
The Magazine of Plan in Australia Global Child 17
GLOBAL
learning
Fighter the
Thulasi, a girl from India’s lower caste, has avoided a life led by millions of girls around the world: becoming a child bride. After leaving home early, and winning the battle of independence, she takes on her dream to become a star boxer. In the a ward-winning documentary Light Fly, Fly High, she faces many battles along the way, in and outside the ring. We talk to directors Beathe Hofseth and Susann Østigaard about the film, which Plan Australia presented at its Australian premiere at the Human Rights Arts and Film Festival in May.
Tell us about when you first met Thulasi …
What was it about Thulasi that inspired you to tell her story?
When Thulasi came walking towards us outside Nehru Stadium in Chennai, it was love at first sight. There was something about her. She really stood out in the crowd among the young people on their way to practice. She was small, but had a powerful presence. She seemed strong and vulnerable at the same time. She was different in the way she walked, dressed, and talked. She showed us her tattoo of a glove on her upper arm and told us that boxing was in her blood. She didn´t choose boxing, it had chosen her, and she was determined that she was going to be a star one day.
In one of the very first interviews we did with Thulasi, she told us that in India most girls sit on the back of their father's, brother's or husband's motorbikes. But one day she was going to drive her very own bike, so that Indian fathers could look at her and realise what their daughters are capable of. She said she wanted to show people that there doesn't have to be a difference between boys and girls. The fact that Thulasi herself wanted to be a role model to others is what eventually made us decide that we wanted to make a documentary about her. Thulasi is a feminist, without even knowing the meaning of that word, she has a message and we felt that her voice deserved to be heard.
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How did Thulasi grow during the filming process? Looking back on who Thulasi was when we first met her, it´s hard to believe she is the same person. During the three years we filmed her she went from being a girl, to a confident, mature young woman. Her life took many twists and turns along the way, but Thulasi always found her ways out of difficult situations. Incredible things happened during those years and it was really a gift to see someone blossom that way and to document it with a camera.
What did you learn about gender inequality in India that you didn't know before going into making the film? We did know a lot of the statistics before we went to India for the first time. We knew that India is ranked as the fourth-most dangerous country in the world to grow up in as a woman, only beaten by Afghanistan, Congo and Pakistan. We knew about the pressure many girls face when it comes to arranged marriages, the problems with dowry and how daughters are valued less than sons, but it was just something we had read about in books. It's hard to put yourself 100 per cent in someone else's shoes, but getting to know Thulasi, feeling her frustration and experiencing
It's hard to put yourself 100 per cent in someone else's shoes, but getting to know Thulasi, feeling her frustration and experiencing the injustice with her was a real eye-opener.
the injustice with her was a real eye-opener. Watching her fight so hard and then not receiving the opportunities she so rightly deserved was heartbreaking, but it did give us the strength to carry on with the project despite the many obstacles we also faced along the way.
What do you hope people will take away from the film after seeing it? We hope Thulasi will inspire others like she inspired us.
Read the extended version of this interview at Plan’s blog. plan.org.au/blog
Six good reads about child rights The God of Small Things Arundhati Roy (1997)
A thoroughly moving story about two seven-year-old twins, set in India after the Declaration of Independence. The book is a heartbreaking and fascinating insight into India’s caste system and the affects it has on the way children grow up.
Persepolis
Marjane Satrapi (2005) A detailed account of one child’s life during the war between Iran and Iraq. Originally a series of comics later turned into a graphic novel and translated into several languages, it’s sold more than 1.5 million copies worldwide.
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What is the What Dave Eggers (2006)
A novel based on the true story of Achak, a boy separated from his family during an assault against his community in the Second Sudanese Civil War. The boy flees, joins the ‘Lost Boys’, and encounters hardship along the way to a refugee camp in Ethiopia.
Three Cups of Tea Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin (2007)
Nurse-come-mountain-climber and humanitarian Greg Mortenson set out to climb the world’s second highest mountain, Pakistan’s K2. But the mission of his journey takes a turn, and he sets his path on building 55 schools in Taliban territory.
The Little Refugee Anh Do & Suzanne Do (2012)
“Giant waves crashed down on our little boat. I was terrified but my mum hugged me tight and told me, 'Everything will be okay.’” On his journey to Australia, Anh Do’s family came close to losing their lives as they escaped a war-torn Vietnam.
I am Malala Malala Yousafzai (2013) The incredible true story of the girls’ rights champion, Malala Yousafzai. Malala stood up for her right to education by going to school and, as a result, was shot by the Taliban. She has continued to advocate for girls’ rights and was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 and 2014.
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supporters in focus
The power of letter writing Sponsoring a child is a powerful experience. You personally make a lasting difference to their life, and the lives of their community. Through the exchange of letters and photos, you can see your gift in action through their eyes. We’re celebrating a few supporters who have been sponsoring children through Plan for an incredible 25 years. Read what they have to say about connecting across cultures.
Kathy was my first sponsored child – she must have been seven or eight years old when I started – she grew up and eventually wrote to me saying she’d finished her teacher training. It’s lovely to think I played a small part in her journey.
Michelle, Clifton Hill, Victoria – two former and one current sponsored children
It’s a really special thing to be able to send these kids a birthday card. My donation helps too – but you really feel a part of their lives when you know they are opening up something you sent. I feel like I should write more letters.
Bruce, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales – three former and two current sponsored children
It’s humbling to receive letters from my sponsored kids – you can see how heartfelt they are and how hard they are trying to communicate with you.
Jen, Glen Waverly, Victoria – five former children and two current children
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Want to experience the thrill of connecting with your sponsored child? It’s easy! Login to MyPlan and we'll guide you through writing a letter to your sponsored child with suggested questions and topics. You can upload photos here, too. You also have the option of posting your letter to Plan at GPO Box 2818 Melbourne 3001. Include your sponsored child's identification number and your Plan number on your letter and on photos. Don't include your address in your letter or on the envelope – this could result in letters from people unconnected with your sponsored child. Visit my.plan.org.au.
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supporters in focus
Five minutes with… LiZZA, One of our most determined fundraisers. We love it when our fundraisers get fired up about child rights. One supporter in particular is taking on the unique challenge of training for a martial arts fight on 9 August to raise funds for women and girls through Plan. Support Lizza at cycleforgirlsoct2014.everydayhero.com/au/lizza.
What gets you up in the morning? I have to get up pretty early to do my first training session before work – it’s usually Muay Thai (Thai kick boxing) or strength training at the gym, then swimming. Then, it’s usually Brazilian Jujitsu, boxing or my mixed martial arts session at lunch. In all honesty, what gets me out of bed and into the gym is knowing that I’ll be fighting someone soon who might be training more than me! If I miss my morning training session, then it stuffs up the rest of my day. Plus, I feel so amazing and ready to work after my morning workout.
What does a martial arts fight involve? I’m fighting mixed martial arts with semi-professional rules. It goes for three rounds of three minutes. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but when you’re in there fighting, it can feel like forever! Especially if your fitness isn’t that good. As it’s a semiprofessional fight, there are no elbows or knees to the face. You can either win by having the most points are the end of the three rounds, or by knocking out your opponent (like in boxing), or getting your opponent to tap out (i.e. give up) by using a Jujitsu submission.
Why did you choose to support Plan and girl's rights? I love what Plan is doing to empower girls by helping them complete their education. I feel like it’s aligned with why I’m fighting. The reason I’m fighting and documenting the journey for an online TV series for Women’s Fitness, is I want women everywhere to challenge their own preconceptions of what women can and can’t do. I don’t look like a stereotypical fighter, but I’m doing it anyway because it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I want do give people the courage to go after their dreams – exactly what Plan is doing with the Because I am a Girl campaign. WINTER 2014
Lizza is training hard for her fundraising event
Does Lizza inspire you? Follow in her footsteps and run your own fundraising event! fundraise.plan.org.au/event/becauseiamagirl
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This publication has been printed by an ISO 14001 environmental management system (EMS) and ISO 9001 quality management system (QMS) certified printer using vegetable based inks and a 100% alcohol free printing process. It is manufactured using an independently audited carbon neutral process. The paper is ecoStar, a FSC速 Recycled certified paper made carbon neutral (CN), manufactured from 100% post consumer recycled paper in a process chlorine free environment and under an ISO 14001 EMS. This publication is fully recyclable, please dispose of wisely.
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you can bring this joy to a child with a disability in Bangladesh.
Children at a school in India enjoy playing with finger puppets sent from Plan australia supporters last year.
Last year, Australians like you sent animal finger-puppets to children in India through Plan. Here you can see the joy they are bringing to children in Plan-supported early learning centres.
Every child deserves to feel this joy. Every child has the right to attend school. sadly, children with disabilities often miss out on an education. $75 helps provide the contents of a ‘Bekas Box’, which contains needs-appropriate toys and learning aids so a school in Bangladesh can welcome and care for children with disabilities.
Send your $75 gift today.
Call 13 75 26 or visit www.plan.org.au