Child Soldiers: Info for Campaign

Hey Guys! Here is some information about the three possible countries we will focus on in our campaign. Click the links to see more details about the country.

In Africa up to 100,000 children are thought to have been involved in armed conflict last year. The AK-47 is the weapon of choice for child soldiers, as it is light and easy to use but can discharge 600 rounds per minute.

Sierra Leon - Child soldiers routinely suffer killings, beatings and other forms of torture or ill-treatment, and forced labour. Girls are raped and forced into sexual slavery. Many child soldiers struggle to overcome the physical and psychological consequences of their experiences; it may take years for them to be fully rehabilitated and able to reintegrate into society and resume their lives.
http://www.un.org/works/goingon/soldiers/goingon_soldiers.html (several soldier’s points of view)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_leon http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4500358.stm (great story)

Rwanda – Child soldiers have been used by Rwandan government forces and paramilitaries, as well as government-backed forces operating within the Democratic Republic of Congo. Some child recruitment is still reported in refugee camps.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rwanda

Sudan – Thousands of children fight with the Sudan People's Armed Forces, the Sudan People's Liberation Army and their Joint Integrated Units. In Darfur, the Sudanese army, the Janjaweed militias, Sudan Liberation Army factions and paramilitary forces reportedly use at least 7,000 child soldiers in the region. The Lord's Resistance Army, a Ugandan-based group, also has child soldiers in Sudan.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudan

Please post a comment below about what country you think we should focus on for our fall campaign!

Letter Writing #1

Hi folks! Here is the link to the first Amnesty letter we have written for the 07/08 school year. If you couldn't make the Wednesday or Thursday meeting, copy the letter, sign your name and bring the letter to school (you can deliver it to Brian Ree - sophomore - or to Mrs. Lavender or Ms. Huffman or Mr. Emery and we'll make sure it gets into the mail). Let's help stop violence against women particularly, in this case, in Saudi Arabia.

http://web.amnesty.org/pages/sau-160307-action-eng

First Big Meeting of 2007!

On Wednesday, August 29th, the TCIS student chapter of Amnesty International will kick off its 07/08 year! Come to room 104 at 3:30 and learn more about what Amnesty International is all about, and about our goals for this year. Everyone is welcome. Watch this short background video to learn more about the work of Amnesty.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5-81AmFkCc

Calling all justice seekers!

Hello TCIS students! This is the new official space for our student chapter of Amnesty International, which was launched at our school in January of 2007. For the 2007/08 school year, check this blog regularly for information on our campaigns, as well as weekly letter-writing links. Together, we can make a difference in transforming our world and upholding human rights and justice. In Zechariah 7:9-10 God says: "And the word of the Lord came again to Zechariah: 'This is what the Lord Almight says: Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor." There are many other verses of scripture that echo God's call for His people to love mercy and justice. Let's live out this calling together!