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De Meergronden

Page history last edited by Alessia Lombardi 7 years, 10 months ago

Introduction vid - Klein.mov

How to use this School page:

 

  • On this page you will introduce yourself to the other groups/classes in your Learning Circle and post your challenge contributions. 
  • We ask you to share not only the results, but also the learning process of how you discussed, planned, divided tasks etc..in your own group. 

 

Giving and receiving feedback:

 

  • On this page you will also find text boxes for feedback received from other groups in your Circles.
  • We ask you to give feedback to two other groups / classes in your Circle directly on their school page.
    Please click here for the feedback-schedule , it will guide you to the school pages.
  • If you want to give feedback to another (additional, extra) group, please add it on the school page of that group or use the comment box at the bottom of the school page.

 



 

Introduction:

 

Please find enclosed our thoughts about Children's Rights.

Mabel: What does Childrens Rights mean to me?

1. It means to me that every child has got a roof 
2. I think it is important for EVERY CHILD (even if his or her country doesn't have got Childrens Rights) to have education 
3. For me it is even more important to have right on a doctor 
4. When a child is ill, there have to be someone who can take care of that child 
5. It is also very important that every child can be safe in their own habitat 
That is what I think is very important and what Childrens Rights mean!
 

Yasmin: I believe every child should have freedom of expression or be able to maintain contact with both parents if they separate. I think that we just don't realise how lucky we are to have these rights. In theory, we are allowed to have a good education, we have clean water and we can go to hospital when we need to. I think these rights are very important and allow children to have support, so that they can become independent adults in the future. Because of children’s rights, I have privacy, I have clean (warm) water and I can travel. Children’s rights have made sure that most children don’t have to worry about food, or water, or a roof above their head. Just because there are children’s rights doesn't mean everybody actually listens, for instance, some children still deal with mental and physical abuse. Also there are still children chucked on the street, refugee families, for instance. However without these rights, lawyers cannot reference to something when trying to bring someone to justice.

Eva: Children Rights means to me, that i hope that children have a good live in their own county. And they dont have to work in their youth. And that they Just can to school and make friends and play games. Yes, i think they are important because if the children haven't a good life, with work, it doesn't Go very well.
 

Daan: children rights are the most important (i think) rights children need 

i think they are so important because without this rights you can do what you want with children. the most important children right for my is theat i can go to school because if we dont do that we cant came further than how we are so you cant speak, read or write.
 

Bjarne: Children rights mean to me that children can say what they think and that people can respect that. The children rights are very important because other wise children have no rights and can as example be sell as a slave or something like and they have to go to school so they can work in the future.

Myrthe & Kiri: Children rights are very important, because children need to have a good life and a future. Education, health care, a family etc. is needful to have a good life. Children rights are not everywhere, but we think it’s very important that every child has rights. 

Annes
: Children rights mean to me that every children in the world has the own rights and the same chances. It also means to me that children get help. Some children in the Middle-Africa really need the help and attention. 


Lotte
: Children's rights, to me, are very important. Without them, I am not the person who I am now. I can write, I learned about the social life, I have my friends (who teach me a lot too). I think everyone has the right to sport, learn to play an instrument, and enjoy the time they have on this earth. I think all kids need to have the right, to go to school and study subjects which can help them when they are adults, without working to earn a little bit money for their parents. All the kids have beautiful souls, they should develop it the best they can, just like their talents to help the world to be a better place.

Lennart: What do children’s right mean to you? 
children’s rights mean to me is that children’s rights protect children for work, hungry and things like to go to school so you can learn things for later.
that you need some interest from your parents and help.
children’s rights are important for your future and your healthy
Jenay: Children's rights to me mean that you have the right to speak your mind, that you can live in a place without discrimination of skin colour, gender, sexual preference or sexuality.It also meas that you have the right to get everything that is necessary to stay healthy.

 

Jenaira: I think that children rights are very important because if children have rights they know that they have a fair life like other children. But not everywhere in the world the children have children rights. And I think thats very sad, and if I could I definitely would change that. And when kids have right they alsof know that they actually matter and that people think about them.

Amaris: To (me) to be/stay safe and get everything a child need. So yes, it is very important, although you don't think about it every minute. 
2. Yes absolutely! Like I already said; it's so important for every child who's alive. It keeps you (most of the time) safe, and helps you to get everything you need. And I think, every kid in the world should have children's rights.  

Veronica:  rights to me mean that kids are able to be kids, wich means that they can play, go outside, be well fed and get a good education. I think children's rights are important, because kids like to do things that with out certain children's rights they can't do. For example kids like to play outside but some children in 2nd world countries have to work every day for very little money and they are usually not healthy. They are not healthy, because in those countries these children's rights do not exist.


Arend
: If there are rights for children then they have a fair life, without children rights there are nor rules fort hem and they can’t life in a good way. Why are they important? If there are rights everbody can life in a good way. If there are no rights for children the world will become unfair and you can’t life in a good way.

Jon: Children rights mean to me that all the children free are and that they don't have to work and not be in slavery.


Nada
:  To me children's rights are a necessity and I think it's really important to keep every child on the earth happy and healthy to make surethey have a healthy and bright future. To keep this world moving and make it a better place for the upcoming generations.

 

Kim: Children rights means to me that children have enough food and that they do not have to work for their parents and die because of the hard work. And they also have to live in a good land where they can live without getting ill or even die. I think they are very important because if they don't have those rules and  things they will die or don't live happy. 

This was it for now, hopefully we will be able to post our  introduction video tomorrow!
Best, Alessia (Almere, the Netherlands)

 

Update 26-02-2016: We have also uploaded the movie we made to introduce ourselves: 

Introduction vid - Klein.mov  

 



 

Contributions Challenge 1:
A Poem by Lennart:

Children go die,
when they tried to fly,

their home isn’t safe
so they leave I a wave

there aren’t children’s rights there
but we have it over here

the rights mean to me
that you have food and that you are free

Some words about safety written by Jenay: 

Safety

To be completely safe is sometimes seen as an luxury. But in every city, country, continent every world it must be a necessity. Every child deserves tro be safe and deservesto be held from abuse, danger and discrimination. Every child deserves a healthy home that is provided with healthcare, an education, food, and clothes. Unfortuinately not every child in the world has this, and I think that thats why it’s seen as an necessity. But like I said it’s not a luxury it’s a Necessity. They deserve to be safe, we do to. I deserve tob e safe and so do you.



A video made by Tom: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrlMY1usQFg 

A video made by Annes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEuA3XU4Thc

 

A cartoon made by Lotte: 

 

 

A cartoon made by Arend: 




The rest of the contributions will follow as soon as possible!

 

 


 

Feedback from: Carmel College Salland

  • Much text.

  • Every child is introduced, really nice!

  • Beautiful drawings and nice videos but we would like to see some more pictures or photographs.

 

 

 

 


 

Feedback from: American School of Las Palmas

Very colorful and fun to read, nice cartoons and great videos! Goed zo!!

 

 


  We are having a Skype meeting with .............. group:
                                                        on .............. date 

                                                         at .............. pm/am

 



 

Contributions Challenge 2:
A letter to Urmilla:

Kim's letter:

Kim Gietermans

De Meergronden

Marktgracht 65

1353AL Almere

The Netherlands

to Urmila chaudhary

her adress

Nepal

 

 Dear Urmila,

Hi, I am Kim I’m 13 years old. We are doing a project on school about children rights. We have seen your video in class and I was very shocked, because it is very bad what happens in Nepal and I am glad that you stand up for those things. So I wright you this letter to ask you more questions about your country and what happens there.

I would like to hear more of you in your situation now.  When you were a Kamalari what was it that kept you standing and not give up? I try to imagen how it would have felt, but it is almost impossible. And for so long, how long were you actually a Kamalari? Sometimes I feel a bit guilty that well…you and the other children in Nepal have not the same rights as children from Holland or from the UE do have. And well I cannot do anything about it, I think that’s what I feel guilty about. Did you start helping other kamalari’s immediately after you free, and how? That’s what I am really curious about how you started the protest against girl trade. I think it is really cool what you do. Are your parents joining your protest too? Did you parents know that you weren’t treat well when they sold you? This is also different in Holland but our whole living habits are different. And I have one more question for you. Were you saved or did you escape from your landlord? I am already glad your free and alive. People say in Holland child labour doesn’t happen, but I don’t really believe it because it just happens I think. It is also that people children force to work for them for a bit or no money and I think it just have the stop all the child labour in the world.
I hope you will read my letter and I hope you  like my question. I would like to hear something back from you, if you have time!

 

Kind regards Kim Gietermans


Kiri's letter:

Marktgracht 65

Kiri Blommaart

12..AL Almere

 

 

 

 

Dear,Urmilla Chaudhary,

I write this letter because I want to know more about the child labour in Nepal, your life and how we can help.  When I saw the video I was shocked because I didn’t know that Nepal was in that bad circumstances. Before this video I never heard about the bad things in Nepal and I think that is very bad because it’s very dangerous in Nepal and we have to do something about that. It’s very disrespectful and I really don’t know how people can actually do that to child’s and the human. I have 6 questions for you. I hope you will answer them. How did you begin with the whole child labour protest and did your live changes after you decided to protest? How was you live when you was a Kamalari and how did you escape? Are you still scared in Nepal because I would be very scared when I was Kamalari. My last question for you is; How can we help to stop the child labour? In the Netherlands you can work from thirteen and you get an minimum salary. You can just work part time so can only work a couple of hours. When your 13 or 14 you can only work in the daylight and you can only do some light work like helping  in a supermarket. When your 15 years old you can work a bit longer and you can work on Sundays. 


Daan's letter: 

Marktgracht 65
1353 AL Almere

Daan van den Bosch
Nepal

Urmila Chaudhary 
Almere, 12th of May 2016,

Dear Urmila Chaudhary,

I am Daan van den Bosch I sit in the V1P class we have this children rights project and I/(We) are learning a lot about slavery in Nepal and that you don’t have lot children rights there. We in the Nederland’s have a much better education do you know why it’s so different in Nepal? I saw in the movie (on the site) what you do/did for all the women/girls in Nepal I want to ask you an few questions about you and you fighting against slavery.

Why do some people want an slave and if they want a slave is it a women can you tell me why only women and girls and not men and boys? You work hard against slavery why do you do that and why do other women not what you do?. I thought maybe it’s dangerous or the other women are afraid. Are you afraid if you do this I heard you was also a slave (kalamari) what were you experience and do you like your live now.  

I would like it if you answer my questions or one of my classmates.

Gr. Daan van den Bosch


Yasmin's letter: 

Dear Urmila,

My name is Yasmin. I’m 13 years old and I live in the Netherlands. I currently attend De Meergronden, a Secondary School. I have been to five other schools

previously. My parents where always up for adventure, so my first school was in the UK, my second in the Gambia, and my third, forth and sixth in the

Netherlands. In my current class I have watched a documentary about your life and work (Meisjes als handelswaar - Leven in de Frontlinie). I was very moved and it

brought up some questions, so I decided to write you this letter, I hope you don’t mind. I’m growing up in a very loving family, but I can get quite sad or angry about the

smallest of things. I really cannot imagine how I would be able to forgive my parents if they would have sold me. So I guess my question is: How do you manage to be so calm around your brother and the rest of your family? My mother works in a refugee camp and I sometimes help her. I often wonder where people that have suffered so much get the strength to carry on in even more challenging circumstances, like waiting years and years for Dutch decision makers if they are aloud to stay or if they will be send back. What motivates you to keep on protesting? Even after you have been personally attacked? I have deep respect for that. In the video someone says that a lot of girls are exported out of Nepal through the open border to India, do you think the open border to India should be closed? My parents campaign for open borders in Europe, because they feel all

children deserve a safe and welcoming home; but many people disagree. What do you think? What can be done to stop the trafficking and exploitation of If I remember correct, then you say in the video that you escaped when you where 18: how did you do that? I guess these are painful memories, but it's a great victory to be free at last and to help others claim their freedom too. And last but definitely not least: What do you think we can do to help you and the children you are campaigning for? After watching this video and doing some further research, I feel very privileged and almost spoiled. I would really like to do something more. In the Netherlands young children are not aloud to work, but young people aged

16 and 17 years may work an average of 40 hours a week. The time they are in school also counts as “working” time, but from age 16 school is optional. Young people aged 16 until 17 may not work at night. They also have extra rest right. With these, and many more, rules they try to safeguard the interests of children and young people. But there is another reality: At least 10,000 unaccompanied child refugees have disappeared after registering in Europe, according to the EU’s criminal intelligence agency. Many are feared to have been exploited to sexual abuse and slavery. Child poverty is also a growing danger in Europe as the gap between the wealthy and the poor widens, leaving children in difficult and vulnerable situations.

It seems to me, wherever we live in the world, a safe and happy childhood is something worthwhile fighting for. I really really really hope you receive this letter, and that we keep talking to one another, connected in our fight for a better future for all children in the world. 
Sincerely yours,

Yasmin Abbass-Saal


Nada's letter:

Marktgracht 65

Nada Hassan

1353AL  Almere

Urmila Chaudharystreet 23

Nepal

Almere, 12th of May 2016

Dear Urmila Chaudhary,

How are you now? I’m fine. I hope you live in peace right now. I wrote this letter because I saw this documentary about you and I was in shock. I didn’t know this was happening in Nepal, this couldn’t happen. It’s wrong, disrespectfull  and terrible. I feel so sorry for you.

My opinion is that every girl and every c hild have the right to study, here in The Netherlands every one has the right to study. You are not aloud to work till you’re thirteen and when you’re thirteen you can work parttime. You are not aloud to work fulltime, because you have to finish your study. You are aloud to work fulltime when you’re 18. But then it’s your own choice. And Kalamari’s are not aloud.

I hope that it will be so in the whole world, nobody deserves to be a kalamara, and I feel so sorry for you. You’re doing great, protesting against kamalari’s it’s so brave what you’re doing. And I hope it will help to stop kalamari’s.

How many children did you save? I am curious about that, I think a lot. Do you live in peace now? I hope so, that would be great. I hope that one day the whole world will live in peace. Everyone can talk to each other and for example, muslims can marrie jews without people who are against it. That would be the best moment in my life. If you had one wish, what would it be? Mine is without thinking worldpeace. No wars, and ofcourse no poor people. I think that there is enough space and money for everyone in this world, but it isn’t divided good.

Do you have in Nepal also smartphones or even phones for the richest persons? And how many times does the electicity fall out? Every year in the holiday I go to Egypt and there the electricity falls out too. It’s always stressfull for my grandmother, because of the fridge.

I hope you’re doing great and living the life you want to live, I hope all the girls there do great, and that kalamari handle stops. Can I do anything about it? Do you know what I can do about it? Let me know please. I really want to know.

When I saw the documentary I saw a women and she is locked away. And she couldn’t pay to be free. And when someone will free her, it wouldn’t be better for her. When I saw that I was almost in tears. Nobody deserves to be in the prison for no reason. Nobody deserves to work at a young age. And no girl (and boy) deserves to be touched if they don’t want it.

Because that is sick, because your government is sick (I’m sorry by the way) you just can’t do that. Nobody deserves that. Everyone deserves education, that is what makes us lucky, and free. Education.

Good luck with the rest of your life. Your life is just beginning, remember that. It’s never too late to do something.

I hope that you will have the best things in life at the moment. I hope that you’re lucky.

Greetings,

Nada.

 



Myrthe's letter:

Myrthe Koopman

Marktgracht 65

1353 AL Almere

De Meergronden

 

Almere, 18 mei 2016

 

Dear Urmila,

 

I am 13 years old, how old are you right now? How are you?

What happens to child slaves is awful. Your story was very impressive and violently. I love the way how you want to stop the child labour in Nepal. I guess you are a big example for all the girls in Nepal, because you are a strong and great woman.

 

How did you feel when you were a sold as a Kamalari?

How was your bond between you and your brother when you escaped as kamalari?

When you told that your bond between your brother and you was good, I was surprised, but I was very happy for you.

You escaped from the landlord, but how did you do that?

How did you feel when you came home?

 

I didn’t know about the child labour in your country, but I guess that it’s very important that every single person in the world knows about this and that we all can stop it together.

 

 

Greetings Myrthe

 

P.S. good luck and I hope you can save a lot of girls and that the child labour stops. :) 



Jenaira's letter:

Jeanaira van Heijningen

'De Meergronden',

Markergracht 1353 AL Almere

Nepal,

Almere, 12th of May 2016

 

Dear Urmila,

 

I'm really happy that I have a chance to ask you questions about your life as a 'Kalamari'. Me and my classmates are participating in a childrens right project, we watched a documentary about you. And after watching the documentary I was really happy that I live in the Netherlands.

I really respect you and I am very amazed that you came up for womans rights. We need more woman and girls in this world who dare to open their mouth just like you did. I believe that we really can make a difference. One of the questions that I have is: Did you ever saw your brothers again after they sold you if you did, what did they say to you? I really think that your brothers needed money and that they didn't saw another option than selling you. But its very important to forgive them. My next question is: How did the lord and the lord's wife react when you told them that you dont want to work for them anymore? I would be so scared. I'm really suprised because in Nepal alot of things are very different than in The Netherlands. For example, you can only work if you're 13 or older, and we have a minimum wage. And we can also only work for a few hours. My next question is: Where do you live now, and what do you do for living? In the video they said that you're now 21, but what was you're age when you came up for your own rights? In the Netherlands every single person except for the kids under 18 can vote for several things. For example who they want as a prime minister. My last question is: How are you doing now? I hope you can answer my questions.

 

Best regards,

Jeanaira


Mabel's letter:

Mabel van Gent
OSG de Meergronden
Marktgracht 65
1353 AL, Almere

Urmila Chaudhary
Nepal

Almere, nineteenth of May

Dear Urmila,
I am Mabel van Gent, and I am working with my class at the project Childrens rights! I am living in The Netherlands, and in our country children aren't allowed to work until they are 14. When we are 14 we can work for 3 hours a week. When we watched your video, we were very shocked! You were sold, and used as a slave! Did they actually used u in a sexual way? If you do that in a European country you have to go to jail immedialtely!
How did you actually feel when you got sold? Were you mad? Were your parents mad?
How did you escape and when? What do you feel when you see people sell people? Do you want to stop them? Do you stop them?
I hope some day it will stop, and that you have made a difference!

Greetings,
Mabel van Gent


Veronica's letter:

Veronica Pals
De Meergronden
Markgracht 65
1353 Almere

Her adres
Urmila Chaudhary
Nepal

Almere, 12th of May 2016

Dear Urmila,

I am a twelve year old girl living in the Netherlands. I have food, a safe house, family and friends. After watching your documentary with my class realized that, it was just faith that I have all these things. I am really happy that I can ask you questions now, because when I was watching the video I had a lot of questions in my head. My first question to you is: When you came back to your family did you view your brothers differently or act different around them? Or did you forgive them easily? If my family sold me to be a Kalamari I would never talk to them again. But maybe if I was in the situation of you and your family it would be different.

 

I think the government in Nepal is really wrong for still allowing Kalamaris to be be legal. It’s not only way too much work, but it is a really low payment while they deserve way more. Some girls even get abused by their landlord, so my second question is about the government: How can the Kalamari girls who stand up and riot for girls rights stand up for girls being abused by their land lord? I can imagine it must be really hard, because they can’t get out of the situation easily. The government would rather stand up and listen to a rich man instead of a Kalamari and I think that that’s really wrong of them.

 

I can’t imagine what it’s like to be a Kalamari girl at all, but I can imagine that it can change you a lot. Maybe you’re quitter or not as happy an my third question about that is: How did being a Kalamri girl change you? Were you not as happy anymore, or were you more silent? Did your family notice the change in behaviour too?

 

I think the government in Nepal is really harsh and strict, especially because they put people in jail for no good reason so my fourth question is: Were you scared to stand up against the government? And was the group of girls that were also standing up against the government scared that the government would do something?

 

I have a lot of respect for how you stand up for girls rights, but also help the girls. And I was really amazed that you wrote a book about it I think it would help out a lot of former kalamari girls like you. My final question is: How did you get so many girls to join you and stand up together against womens rights? Did they join you immediately or did you have to convince them, because maybe they were too afraid of what the government would do?

 

Greetings from Veronica.
 

Morgane's letter:

Morgane ter Cock

p/a school “De Meergronden”

Marktgracht 65

1353AL Almere

 

Tikapur Nepal

Urmila Chaudhary

Nepal

 

Almere, 12th of May 2016,

 

Dear Urmila,

 

I’m Morgane ter Cock and I am 12 years old. I live in Almere, the Netherlands. I am writing you this letter because of a project I am doing at school. This project is about children rights, I am talking to children from all over the world to see how their situation and their circumstances are. Today I am reaching out to you, because I know you are fighting for children rights and woman slavery in Nepal.

I watched a video about you, you told us something about your past and how hard it was for you. How did you get through you past and did someone maybe help you? I always have my sister who helps me through everything, what/who was your point to hold on to when the situations were insupportable?

        When you think about how it was then and how it is now, has the situation changed if you compare it to your past? If so in what way and how? Do you see positive and negative changes and how do you see that?

        Sometimes when I look back at my past I think about what I would have handled otherwise. If you look back at the process of your rebellion, Would you change the way you handled some things if you could do it all over again?

        When you started “the rebellion” you started a process of changing rules, rights and ways of living. If you now look at the process, are you proud? How do you think the process went from then to now? Do you know if you changed someone’s life in the process?

        If you could look into the future, do you think the situation has changed? The situation you are fighting for is obviously evaluating but do you think this will evaluate in a good way? So all the children can have the life they deserve.

        In the Netherlands it  is very different from Nepal. I am obligated to go to school, if I don’t go my parents will be contacted and I will get a small punishment. I will become 13 in two months and then I will be able to work, but not in a supermarket or in a restaurant.  At that age we can only have little jobs.

       There is a huge difference between these two countries and when I found that out I was impressed and overwhelmed. I just want to say that I have a lot of respect for you and all the people that are fighting for their lives and rights. I hope that I will get answers on my questions. I wish you the best of luck in your live you deserve it!

 

Best regards, Morgane ter Cock

Zoë's letter:

Zoë Annemarie Haire

Markgracht 65

1353 AL Almere

De Meergronden

 

Dear Urmila,

 

I am Zoë and i'm 13 years old. My school is doing a project about childerens rights. We have seen the documentary where you were in and it was shocking. I had no idea of what is going on in Nepal. I am glad that you stand up against Kamalari.

 

I am writing you this letter because i realy want to know how you are doing now and I also want to let you know how much I respect you for everything you do for other Kamalari's. I can't imagine how it would be to be a kamalari, I am lucky that i don't have to word at 13 years old. When I watched the documantary I realized how spoiled I am and that I complain about the smallest things. I now appreciate the things that i have more then I did before I watched the documentary. I have a few questions for you:

How are you right now?

How is the relationship between you and your family?

Do you have internet/wifi?

How did you escape from being a kamalari?

How many people are with you?

 

I really hope you write me back!

 

Greetings, Zoë

 

Jon's letter:

Jon Lacroix

OSG De Meergronden

Marktgracht 65

1353 AL Almere

 

Almere, 19th of May 2016,

 

Dear Urmila,

In the class we saw the video about you and I thought it was very impressive.

I have a lot of questions for you because I want to know more about how your life as Kamalari was.

On the video I saw where you live now, it’s a fine place and that you are happy there.

I think it is sad for you because the landlord wasn’t nice to you.

·         How long did you live as Kamalari at the house of the landlord?

You have to cook with water and drink water but it is hard to live with less water at home.

·         How long does it takes to walk to the water source or to the draw-well?

It is very hard for you to take care for your brother and learning/making homework at the same time. I hope, you can study well and be happy with your brother.

·         Do you still have to take care for your brother or is someone else doing that?

I saw, it is very hard to live in a small house with a lot of people.

·         How long do you have to live in that house, where you live now, with your family?

I think it is sad for you that you had to work on a young age as a Kamalari.

·         What sort of ‘job’ did you have to do at the house of the landlord and the wife?

In the Netherlands, you can work from the age of 18. From the age of 12, you can have a part-time job. Also, family of the children can’t sell their children. In the Netherlands, opposite to Nepal, you can get safe drinking water from a tap in the kitchen and the bathroom. You can buy bottles of water in the supermarket.

I have so much respect for you because first you were a Kamalari, now you are a human rights activist.

I hope you will write back soon!

Best regards,

Jon Lacroix


Lennart's letter:
Lennart Kindt
de Meergronden
marktgracht 65
1353 Al Almere


address
Urmila Chaudhary
Nepal

Almere, 12th of May 2016,

Dear Urmila,


hi I am Lennart. I am 13 years old. I live in the Netherlands and I learn at the Meergronden. I like playing outside and making treehouses when the weather is nice if it’s not I like to play computer games. I write this letter because I want to know how children’s rights in Nepal are ( and I get a mark  for it) How are you? how is it to life in Nepal? What do you like to do in your free time? And can I ask you some questions about children’s rights in Nepal?

I am wondered about what you are doing, I saw it in the video documentary. You are doing real good work. I didn’t knew before that video that there were children’s slaves still here in 2016, kalamari do you name them in Nepal right? I saw that girl that were really
shy and look only to the ground because she got learned that from her old master. She could hardly smile! I the Netherlands you can work as a child from 13 or 14 in the holydays 7 hours a day and when you are older it will grow.
I am feeling right know very spoiled because I don’t have to work now. But I am also a boy and there are no boy childrens slaves in Nepal right? now I am done I like to sent you a letter and good luck with your fight against kamalari’s.    

greetings Lennart

Tom's letter:

Tom Egbertsen

Meergronden

Markergracht 65

1353AL Almere

 

Almere, 12th of May 2016,

 

Dear Urmila,

At school we have a project about children’s rights, and we wached a video about child labour. I think it’s really good how you fight for girl’s rights, that’s why I send you this letter.

We wached a video about you, and girls rights. I’m really sory to hear what happened to you. What was it like to work all day long? I can’t really imagine, in the Netherlands we all have the rights to go to school. We can’t work longer then 8 hours per day in the weekends and 2 hours on a regular school day.

After I watched the video I got a lot of respect for you. How does it feel to help people that are being laboured? And do you think we are near to a labour-free world? What would you think we have to change to stop all child labour in the world?

I think you’re doing a great job in Nepal, but where in Nepal do you help people? All over the country or just a small piece?

We in the Netherlands don’t have child labour. We aren’t aloud to work till the age of 13. And after that only short, and after that only light work.

I really hope you can become a advocate, for al the laboured girls.

 

Best regards,

Tom Egbertsen
 

Eva's letter:

Dear alessia

 

Dear Urmila Chaudhary,

 

I am Eva Tigelaar, I am 13 years old. And I come from the Netherlands.

 

How are you now? I hope that it all goes better now. I write this letter because I saw a documentary about you. Did it already changed? Is there a difference? I hope so because it is stupid what they do with girls. I hope that you saved much kamalari's. I hope that the Kamalari's are gone.

 

Nobody deserves it, because it is really wrong what people do with girls. Only because they are girls. They don't do it with boys and that is really weird. In your country it is like that girls have to Cook and care For the children, and boys have to work,  And that girls have to be a Kamalari? I dont understand that.

 

I'll hope you be okay.

 

Regards, Eva Tigelaar

 

 

Jenay's letter:

Jenay Oehlers

‘De Meergronden’

Markergracht 1353 AL Almere

Almere 19th of May 2016

Urmila

 

 

Dear Urmila

Hi Urmila.

I’m Jenay, I’m 13 years old and I live in Almere.  Most of the time I’m not even worried about having no house or having to work more than I can handle. I realized that in Nepal and other places in the world that’s not the same case.

I saw a documentary and I was really amazed by the reality of Nepal and your amazing story. I didn’t get all the answers I hoped I would get, I hope to get your fully perception on your experience. I wanted to know more about your situation now for example; where do you live now? And is your life completely safe? How did your experience have influence on your life now?

My life here in the Netherlands is incomparable to of those in Nepal. For example; there is a law against working before your 13 years old, and even when you are 13 you can only work for 4 hours a day. If you’re working you are guaranteed a minimum payment.

I saw that some children we’re taken away from their homes and we’re giving to ramdom people to work for them, sometimes unaware of the dangers that could happen. They’re given away by their parents. Did you find it difficult to forgive your parents or did you completely understand?

I think it was awesome that you we’re one of very few woman to fight against child slavery and sexual abuse, you risked your life for what you stand for and that’s phenomenal. You really inspired me to do as much as I can what is your next movement towards the end of Kalamari and what could people do to help?

Now there’s a place where former child slaves can go to if there’s no other place. Indira has one and children are given food shelter and an healthy education. I know you’re probably a bit older than the children in Indira’s organisation. Was there this sort of shelter for children like you when you were a Kalamari? And howdo get in? Did you get in?

I understand that the government needs money but I think that there getting in a really awful way. By ignoring the ‘’slave market’’ and just letting it happen. I heared that they’re also arresting people for the smallest thing often for things they can’t control. Women also have way less rights than men do, and you and of course a lot of other women are fighting against that? But what made the change in your head that you could make a difference, why you out of all these people?

 

Like I said people especially children in the Netherlands have a much better life than what I saw of the people in Nepal. My classmates and I were really shocked to see the documentary about your story. What do you think of the project that were doing? and is there anything you would like to say to ‘’spoiled kids’’ like us?

You are truly an inspiration, Urmila

I hope that you’ll write me back soon      

Best regards, Jenay J
 
 

Bjarne's letter:

Bjarne Annema OSG De Meergronden Markgracht 65 1353AL Almere

Kathmandu Urmila Chaudhary Nepal

Almere 12th of May, 2016

Dear Urmila, I hope you have a good day if you read my letter. I write this letter, because I have watch your video on the internet and I was impressed.

When I saw the video with my class, I thought how can people be like this. How can people abuse other people, only because they have less money. That is horrible. If I was a kalamari I had endured it not one day. How long have you been in slavery? Now you are no longer in slavery, but is it diffiuclt to see how people are be abused in slavery? For sure it is not funny to see, but have you ever done something funny in the time you were a kalamari or was it only work? And have you got a job right now or are you only busy with children rights in Nepal? I hope that you have saved much children from slavery. But have you after your slavery time been on school or are you never been on school?

Over here in the Netherlands where I live you have no slaves. I have much luck that I born in the Netherlands. Here you have got good education, less poor, and enough jobs. The houses are also good, they are made of bricks. Good food and fresh water. The only thing whats not funny is the wheater. Often it rains in the Netherlands.

My conclusion is that I have much more then the most of the people in Nepal. I have very much respect for you and what you are doing. Actually, I feel a bit spoiled. I hope that ever al the countries have got the same rights and that everyone is the same.

I hope you go on with helping childrens in Nepal. And I hope you will write me a letter back.

Great regards, Bjarne.


Arend's Letter:

1353AL Almere
Marktgracht 65
De Meergronden
Arend Stam

 

Her Adress

 

Almere, 12th of May 2016,

 

Dear Urmila,

I was wondering how everybody lives in Nepal. I have seen the video about Nepal how it is going there. I saw very poor streets and it was very bizzy in the streets. Many people were walking with big bags with food and things in it. There were many mountains in Nepal. It was very strange that people there sells girls as slaves for money because the parents couldn't find work to earn money. I have heard many things from you but I wan't to know a bit more.  

What is your goal in your life? what do you want to achive in your life and what do you want to be? How does it feels for you to live in Nepal with all those strange people who use girls as slave? Do you feel save in Nepal? How does it feels for you to have respect from others, who are helping you with your life if they do? How felt it to be a Kamalari, was it heavy and exhausting and why do people only use girls as slave and why not boys? Why do you think they are doing this?

I really want to know this questions and I hope you can answer my questions so I can know more about you and that it will be better in Nepal. I hope Nepal will be great for you and that you can be what you want to be.

Best regrards, 

Arend

 


Veronica's letter:

Veronica Pals
De Meergronden
Markgracht 65
1353 Almere

Her adres
Urmila Chaudhary
Nepal

Almere, 12th of May 2016

Dear Urmila,

I am a twelve year old girl living in the Netherlands. I have food, a safe house, family and friends. After watching your documentary with my class realized that, it was just faith that I have all these things. I am really happy that I can ask you questions now, because when I was watching the video I had a lot of questions in my head. My first question to you is: When you came back to your family did you view your brothers differently or act different around them? Or did you forgive them easily? If my family sold me to be a Kalamari I would never talk to them again. But maybe if I was in the situation of you and your family it would be different.

 

I think the government in Nepal is really wrong for still allowing Kalamaris to be be legal. It’s not only way too much work, but it is a really low payment while they deserve way more. Some girls even get abused by their landlord, so my second question is about the government: How can the Kalamari girls who stand up and riot for girls rights stand up for girls being abused by their land lord? I can imagine it must be really hard, because they can’t get out of the situation easily. The government would rather stand up and listen to a rich man instead of a Kalamari and I think that that’s really wrong of them.

 

I can’t imagine what it’s like to be a Kalamari girl at all, but I can imagine that it can change you a lot. Maybe you’re quitter or not as happy an my third question about that is: How did being a Kalamri girl change you? Were you not as happy anymore, or were you more silent? Did your family notice the change in behaviour too?

 

I think the government in Nepal is really harsh and strict, especially because they put people in jail for no good reason so my fourth question is: Were you scared to stand up against the government? And was the group of girls that were also standing up against the government scared that the government would do something?

 

I have a lot of respect for how you stand up for girls rights, but also help the girls. And I was really amazed that you wrote a book about it I think it would help out a lot of former kalamari girls like you. My final question is: How did you get so many girls to join you and stand up together against womens rights? Did they join you immediately or did you have to convince them, because maybe they were too afraid of what the government would do?

 

Greetings from Veronica.

Annes Letter:

Marktgracht 65
Annes Negmel-Din

Meergronden
Marktgracht 65
1353AL Almere

Nepal


Almere, 21th of May 2016,

Dear Urmila,

I have a few questions about your life. You live in Nepal, there are a lot of problems there. I am wondering how it is there for you. I’m writing this letter, because I am really curious about your status, how you feel in your country. I have seen very poor people in Nepal, but I want to you know you are doing there, what your daily routine is, or do you even have a routine? How do you feel now about the things that your family did to you and your brothers/sisters.

So I know that you have a kind of a hard life out there. I watched the video about Kalamari and you. You work everyday. I really want to know how that feels. That people are above  you and say what you have to do. The only people that actually can force me to do something are my parents and teachers. For you it’s a lot more people that can rule over you. I also really want to know what your feelings are over the actions that your parents have conscious decided and how tell that to people, it must be kind of hard, because it was a rough time for you. Also in the time that you got abused, did you do anything against the people. Did you discuss it with people, did you let your feelings just go?


So at the end you want to be a advocate. Which is a good thing. You can come up for people and do your thing, your dream job. I hope you live a great life and keep on going! 

Best Regards Annes Negmel-Din. 

Lotte's letter

Lotte Meiresonne

De Meergronden

Marktgracht 65

1353 AL Almere

the Netherlands

 

Urmila

Nepal

 

 

Hi Urmila!

Well, I saw your documentary. Wow, I was impressed! It is so unfair, the way people treat you, and many others. I think you are mentally (maybe physically too, haha) a very, very strong person. The way you kept hoping is literally AMAZING.

 

Are you still scared, do you still think about it what happened to you? And would you ever see the man who abused him again, to tell him what you think, as the AMAZING person you always were, but the people started seeing now? And would you ever turn the time back, to change the things you have done and said, so you didn’t had to fear?

Over here in the Netherlands, it is TOTALLY different. As you maybe already knew, the Netherlands is a democratic country. Everyone, above the age of 18, are aloud to vote for a minister- president, and (almost) all the decisions in the country have to be approved by the Dutch citizens. There is another huge difference: work and jobs. A teenager can work from 13 years old. But, there are not a lot of jobs you are aloud to do. For example, you can work in the supermarket to put all the products in the right places. In a school- week you can only work 12 hours a week. But, whatever happens, school is the most important. It is possible to stop school, but you can’t go to university, and then, you can’t have a job (but working in the supermarket, there is no diploma needed to work there :)). 

 

Well, I hope you like the mails from me and my classmates! I look forward to hear/read your answers! 

 

Best regards,

Lotte Meiresonne, V1P, de Meergronden, the Netherlands

V1P

 

 

 

 

 


 

Feedback from: (add name of the group or class that gives feedback)

 

 


 

Feedback from: (add name of the group or class that gives feedback)

 

 


We are having a Skype meeting with .............. group: 
                                                      on .............. date 

                                                       at .............. pm/am

 



 

Completion:

 

 



Evaluation:

 

 

 

 

Lennart Kindt
de Meergronden
marktgracht 65
1353 Al Almere


address
Urmila Chaudhary
Nepal

Almere, 12th of May 2016,

Dear Urmila,


hi I am Lennart. I am 13 years old. I live in the Netherlands and I learn at the Meergronden. I like playing outside and making treehouses when the weather is nice if it’s not I like to play computer games. I write this letter because I want to know how children’s rights in Nepal are ( and I get a mark  for it) How are you? how is it to life in Nepal? What do you like to do in your free time? And can I ask you some questions about children’s rights in Nepal?

I am wondered about what you are doing, I saw it in the video documentary. You are doing real good work. I didn’t knew before that video that there were children’s slaves still here in 2016, kalamari do you name them in Nepal right? I saw that girl that were really
shy and look only to the ground because she got learned that from her old master. She could hardly smile! I the Netherlands you can work as a child from 13 or 14 in the holydays 7 hours a day and when you are older it will grow.
I am feeling right know very spoiled because I don’t have to work now. But I am also a boy and there are no boy childrens slaves in Nepal right? now I am done I like to sent you a letter and good luck with your fight against kamalari’s.    

greetings Lennart

Comments (4)

Natasha Cherednichenko said

at 11:28 am on May 23, 2016

Thank you for the messages to Urmila. Will be great to read your feedback to other groups.

Bill Day said

at 1:20 am on Apr 11, 2016

Tons of cool stuff. Really like how you did so many different things.

Manon van Herwijnen said

at 10:08 am on Apr 4, 2016

All your words make us curious about your ideas about the themes in the challenges. We are looking forward to see and hear your creativity!

Bob Hofman said

at 8:49 pm on Feb 24, 2016

Thank you for expressing your thoughts on Children's Rights in such a colorful way, well done :-)

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