Baptist ‘sweatshop’ draws attention to child labour
More than 40 young people at a Baptist church in Northern Ireland will spend three hours a day in a ‘sweatshop’ to draw attention to the issue of child labour and raise money for charity.
The initiative, part of Greenisland Baptist Church’s annual ‘Real Week’ event, will involve the young people in making ethically sourced T-shirts which will be auctioned off on 8 August. The proceeds will go to the charity Viva’s partner network in Cambodia which works with children who have experienced sexual abuse, trafficking, or forced labour.
Organiser Pete Kernoghan, a youth pastor and member of the band Blue Tree, is keen that young people are given the opportunity to learn about other youngsters around the world – and to get involved in making a difference. He comments: “The vast majority of young people in the UK are looking for their voice to be heard and they want to be a part of something that they believe in - something that’s not just about them.
“If we can get young people to see outside themselves, to the reality of what is in this world, then they can’t help but be spurred into action.”
Pete Kernoghan and fellow band member Aaron Boyd set up the charity Stand-Out International (SOI) which aims to combat child sexual exploitation in Asia. SOI works in partnership with Viva in Cambodia.
The event runs from 3 to 7 August.
