No one was expecting him to do his eloquent advocacy toward children travail. But when he spoke up his experiences, the world heard him to the hilt and the short-lived hero kid, Iqbal Masih, had been changing the face of children’s freedom worldwide.
Many children in Pakistan had to face the bitterness of servitude since their early age. Since Pakistan is one of the developing third world country, they did many things to haul up their productivity, even forbearing children labor.
Iqbal Masih was four when he was sold into bondage by his family because of 600 rupees debt. The carpet weaving business owned him as a child labor until the debt was paid. But it had never been sweet memories. Every day he worked in tight bound of chain for only 3 cents a day, it was not comparable for his family’s debt that is always increasing with its interest. His situation was also worsen by the abuse, less food, and very short time of rest in his work. At the age of ten, he decided to escape and have freedom.
But, he failed in this first attempt. The police caught and brought him back to his employer. Driven by rage his employer tied him upside down to make him wary. But it didn’t stop him, he escaped again. And that time he went to BLLF (Bonded Labor Liberation Front) of Pakistan, an organization that worked to stop children labor.
Helped by BLLF, Masih found his voice. Masih spoke up his experience during the slavery in many occasions. It was opened world’s eyes as awakening. Masih had been given chances to speak around the world. Of his speech, children labor was abolished in Pakistan, many country started their movement for children labor freedom and over 3,000 Pakistani children laborer were freed. Masih had been a key and light for his kind’s freedom. That kid of ghetto became a hero, he even offered a scholarship to continue his education in order to be a lawyer.
He raised the fight against children labor, but also his enemies. At the age of 12, he was shot. News said that he was shot by a farmer, but many speculation said that he was murdered for his deed. But even if he had passed away, his spirit for children’s freedom is still echoing around the world.
There are many horrifying modern day children slavery, from dancing boy in Afghanistan, shrine slavery in West Africa, million children who become domestic servant along the world, camel jocking in the Persian Gulf, Cannabis Farm employees in Scotland. In Indonesia many children also forced beggars. They’re need advocacy as well, so Iqbal Masih’s legacy will long lasting. And no more child will be the victim.
Iqbal Masih became a luminary for children in slavery in his time. This struggle isn’t over yet, he is inspiring the world to continue his legacy and fight for freedom and equality for all human being, including children.
Many children in Pakistan had to face the bitterness of servitude since their early age. Since Pakistan is one of the developing third world country, they did many things to haul up their productivity, even forbearing children labor.
Iqbal Masih was four when he was sold into bondage by his family because of 600 rupees debt. The carpet weaving business owned him as a child labor until the debt was paid. But it had never been sweet memories. Every day he worked in tight bound of chain for only 3 cents a day, it was not comparable for his family’s debt that is always increasing with its interest. His situation was also worsen by the abuse, less food, and very short time of rest in his work. At the age of ten, he decided to escape and have freedom.
But, he failed in this first attempt. The police caught and brought him back to his employer. Driven by rage his employer tied him upside down to make him wary. But it didn’t stop him, he escaped again. And that time he went to BLLF (Bonded Labor Liberation Front) of Pakistan, an organization that worked to stop children labor.
Helped by BLLF, Masih found his voice. Masih spoke up his experience during the slavery in many occasions. It was opened world’s eyes as awakening. Masih had been given chances to speak around the world. Of his speech, children labor was abolished in Pakistan, many country started their movement for children labor freedom and over 3,000 Pakistani children laborer were freed. Masih had been a key and light for his kind’s freedom. That kid of ghetto became a hero, he even offered a scholarship to continue his education in order to be a lawyer.
He raised the fight against children labor, but also his enemies. At the age of 12, he was shot. News said that he was shot by a farmer, but many speculation said that he was murdered for his deed. But even if he had passed away, his spirit for children’s freedom is still echoing around the world.
There are many horrifying modern day children slavery, from dancing boy in Afghanistan, shrine slavery in West Africa, million children who become domestic servant along the world, camel jocking in the Persian Gulf, Cannabis Farm employees in Scotland. In Indonesia many children also forced beggars. They’re need advocacy as well, so Iqbal Masih’s legacy will long lasting. And no more child will be the victim.
Iqbal Masih became a luminary for children in slavery in his time. This struggle isn’t over yet, he is inspiring the world to continue his legacy and fight for freedom and equality for all human being, including children.
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