Rhode Island Student Participates in International Ceremony Remembering Children

Childreach
Thursday, 11 October 2001

Seventh grader Jessica Barlas from Wickford Middle school in North Kingston, Rhode Island, was the official representative for Childreach/Plan at at Remember the Children: A Celebration held at the Lincoln Memorial exactly one month after the terrorist attacks in Washington D.C. and New York. Recent estimates count the number of children orphaned as a result of the September. 11th terrorist attacks around 10,000.

The international event-organized by World Vision and a broad coalition of non-governmental and United Nations organizations-brought together children and leaders from around the world to remember the victims and families of the terrorist attacks and to pledge their commitment to the world's children in the wake of the devastating events of September 11th.

The Duke Ellington Choir, the Calvert School of Dance, political leaders, religious representatives, and celebrities joined in the celebration. Singer Kathie Lee Gifford, whose personal assistant lost her husband in the World Trade Center tragedy, dedicated a song entitled The Lullaby to all children, and praised American solidarity at a time of grieving and reflection.

A diverse group of children presented the 10 principles of the Global Movement for Children a worldwide campaign that sets the agenda for the next UN Special Session on Children. Jessica Barlas' one-minute speech focused on rallying point number three of the Global Movement: Care for Every Child.

Today, as a representative for Childreach/Plan International and the State of Rhode Island, I am here to talk to you about the need to care for children, and to ensure that all of them have the best possible start in life. I strongly believe that every child should be born into this world with the right to freedom and equality. Children deserve to be healthy, have clean and proper housing, educational opportunities, adequate sanitation, healthy diets and live in a safe environment. At a time when our country, and the world, is going through a particularly trying period, we the children need special protection and guidance. Our families and friends make us feel safe. The environment we live in and the routines of our daily lives are important to us. Not every child in the world is fortunate enough to go to school, eat three meals a day, and receive proper healthcare. I encourage you to participate in meeting the needs of children around the world because all of us, regardless of where we live, need to be taken care of.

We are your tomorrow. Investing in us today means investing in the future.

For more information, or to contact Childreach, see their website at: www.childreach.org