Letter from Clare

Those people who know me well, know that I am an avid devotee of charity shops and I can’t resist a bargain. I was delighted therefore to discover the other day in Stowmarket for 90p, a hardback book in mint condition, original price £ 10.99. I had bought the paperback edition earlier in the year, as a present for a friend and had agonised over giving it away, I really wanted to keep it. So I am delighted now to own a hardback copy of a book entitled " For every Child ". The book is a compilation of the work of several of the world’s best children’s book illustrators, each depicting their interpretation of one of 14 principles of " The UN Rights of the Child." 

In the book you will see many pictures of children happy, healthy, laughing, learning, just as children should be.  The pictures are inspiring and in contrast to some of the pictures we see when we switch on our TVs or read our newspapers. "A picture is worth a thousand words" they say and few of us will ever forget during the Vietnam war, that of the young girl running down the road naked and engulfed in flame. The Biafra crisis also comes to mind and Ethiopia, and Afghanistan and Palestine and now Southern Africa, and none of us can forget the images we saw last year on September 11th and in the days following of children suddenly left without a parent 

The anniversary of what has become known as " 9/11 " challenges us, we cannot forget or sit at ease comfortably that day, for the evil, the pain and the bravery and compassion of that day will remain with us for ever. None of us want to live in a world characterised by violence, and hatred, we want a world in which we can live at peace with one another. So I offer to you some of the text from my charity shop acquisition to reflect upon on September 11th and to remember and to look forward to a society not just where children are valued, but every man, woman and child.

Clare

Right no. 3: Understand that all children are precious. pick us up if we fall down and if we are lost lend us your hand.

Right no 9: Keep our families together, and if we have no family, look after us and love us just the same.

Right no 13: Allow us to tell you what we are thinking or feeling. Whether our voices are big or small; whether we whisper or shout it, or paint, draw, mime or sign it - listen to us and hear what we say.

Right no 19: No-one on earth has the right to hurt us, not even our mums and dads. Protect us always from anyone who would be cruel.

Right no 24: Watch over us. Wrap us up against the cold and rain, and give us shade from the hot sun. Make sure we have enough to eat and drink and if we sick, nurse and comfort us.

Right no 28: Teach us all to read and write and teach us well so we grow up to be the best we can at whatever we wish to do.

Right no 38: In times of war do not make us part of any battle, but shelter us and protect us from all harm.

Right no 30: Allow us to say our own prayers in our words, whether in churches or temples, synagogues or mosques, chapels or shrines or any other place a prayer may be said to our own God.