Hi, welcome back,
When I think of childhood, I see it as a time of freedom, carefree abandonment, a time to grow, learn and play without the burden of adult responsibilities. Canadian children must attend school until the age of sixteen. It isn't a matter of choice or privilege. Many continue afterwards onto post secondary educations.
This isn't so for all children. Some never get a childhood. In the poorest parts of Pakistan, families out of desperation have had to borrow money. In exchange their children as young as seven are forced to work in brick factories, carpet factories, and farm labour. Once the debt is repaid the children are free to return home. As you can guess the debt is never repaid. Children are prisoners till adulthood and onward, forever repaying their families debts, which eventually is passed down from one generation to the next.
FRANCESCO D'ADAMO
Francesco D'Adamo lives in Milan Italy. Iqbal was written as a fictional story based on the true life events of Iqbal Masih. It is suitable for upper middle grade readers and teens.
Iqbal is narrated by Fatima, a thirteen year old girl who has just passed her third year imprisoned as a slave in one of Pakistan's many carpet factories. Her day begins before sunrise and ends after dark. She must meet her daily quota to earn her rupee, and one less day entrapped in slavery.
Many of the children in the factory are shackled to their looms, all breathing in the unsanitary conditions of dust and carpet fibers all suffering from malnourishment. Even in the light of all this disparage, Fatima holds onto the shred of hope that one day she'll be free.
Iqbal Masih is thirteen and the newest member to join the factory, sold by his previous owner to Hussain Khan. He is strong willed and brave, and the fresh voice of hope. No matter how much abuse he suffers from the hands of Hussain Khan, he won't let him or anyone strip away his spirit. This resonates with the other children who band together.
Iqbal promises Fatima one day she'll be free and together they'll fly a kite. She doesn't know how or when, but believes him, a hope that keeps her going.
On his second attempt Iqbal escapes, and this time reaches out to those who will help, the Bonded Labour Liberation Front of Pakistan. Together they return to the factory of Hussain Khan where the children are freed, and the atrocities of their living conditions revealed.
Their journey continues now freed from slavery. It becomes of utmost importance to Iqbal to help other children that have suffered the same as he.
A very powerful book! One that has brought to light awareness I otherwise would have not known.
Happy reading,
Bye Rosalyne
When I think of childhood, I see it as a time of freedom, carefree abandonment, a time to grow, learn and play without the burden of adult responsibilities. Canadian children must attend school until the age of sixteen. It isn't a matter of choice or privilege. Many continue afterwards onto post secondary educations.
This isn't so for all children. Some never get a childhood. In the poorest parts of Pakistan, families out of desperation have had to borrow money. In exchange their children as young as seven are forced to work in brick factories, carpet factories, and farm labour. Once the debt is repaid the children are free to return home. As you can guess the debt is never repaid. Children are prisoners till adulthood and onward, forever repaying their families debts, which eventually is passed down from one generation to the next.
FRANCESCO D'ADAMO
Francesco D'Adamo lives in Milan Italy. Iqbal was written as a fictional story based on the true life events of Iqbal Masih. It is suitable for upper middle grade readers and teens.
Iqbal is narrated by Fatima, a thirteen year old girl who has just passed her third year imprisoned as a slave in one of Pakistan's many carpet factories. Her day begins before sunrise and ends after dark. She must meet her daily quota to earn her rupee, and one less day entrapped in slavery.
Many of the children in the factory are shackled to their looms, all breathing in the unsanitary conditions of dust and carpet fibers all suffering from malnourishment. Even in the light of all this disparage, Fatima holds onto the shred of hope that one day she'll be free.
Iqbal Masih is thirteen and the newest member to join the factory, sold by his previous owner to Hussain Khan. He is strong willed and brave, and the fresh voice of hope. No matter how much abuse he suffers from the hands of Hussain Khan, he won't let him or anyone strip away his spirit. This resonates with the other children who band together.
Iqbal promises Fatima one day she'll be free and together they'll fly a kite. She doesn't know how or when, but believes him, a hope that keeps her going.
On his second attempt Iqbal escapes, and this time reaches out to those who will help, the Bonded Labour Liberation Front of Pakistan. Together they return to the factory of Hussain Khan where the children are freed, and the atrocities of their living conditions revealed.
Their journey continues now freed from slavery. It becomes of utmost importance to Iqbal to help other children that have suffered the same as he.
A very powerful book! One that has brought to light awareness I otherwise would have not known.
Happy reading,
Bye Rosalyne
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