On 12^th June 2020, Sr Goretti planned a series of activities for the students at Good Shepherd Student Care, to enable them to understand that at many places around the world, children are being forced to work at very young age.  This is known as Forced Labour or Child Labour.

Sr Goretti shared PowerPoint and videos on the difficult situations where the underprivileged children are experiencing in their countries.  These children live in brutal conditions with little food and no recreation.  They are forced to work in highly dangerous environments that threaten their lives and health. At some situations, they are ordered to work in mines and explosives workplaces.  These places expose the children to high mercury and lead toxicities.

Children are forced into Child Labour mainly for economic gain in their countries.  Many do not have a chance to go to school. They spend their time earning very little money to feed themselves and their families. Their income is barely sufficient for survival. Sr Goretti hopes that all the students in the Centre can understand the situations and show empathy to the children who are being forced into Child Labour.

Children traced out the shape of their palms, a sign to Stop Child Labour.

At the end of the session, students from Good Shepherd Student Care participated in making a colorful poster with a slogan to show their support in saying ‘NO’ to Child Labour.

Collage by children of Good Shepherd Student Care (Primary Two)

“Stop Child Labour” is being written on the cut-out paper palms

Article contributed by

Eleana Tan Lay Peng

Senior Teacher

Good Shepherd Student Care

Singapore