March 1, 2007
Students in Halifax, Nova Scotia take the Vow of Silence.
On March 1, young people around the world will stand up for children’s rights by taking the Vow of Silence.
Why was March chosen? In this month in 1876, Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, a mass means for global communication. Through technological innovation, communication between people has never been easier. Why then are so many children kept silent?
In recognition of child labourers, children in poverty, children who are abused and neglected, and children who aren’t able to attend school, young people remain silent for 24 hours and give them a voice. They do this by raising awareness as well as raising money to fund sustainable solutions to these issues through Free The Children’s schoolbuilding, alternative income, and clean water and sanitation projects rural communities in Kenya, Sierra Leone, China and Sri Lanka.
There are many different ways to carry out the Vow of Silence campaign. Traditionally, participants have chosen to collect pledges from sponsors for each hour they remain silent. But the options for raising awareness and funds are endless! Check out our FUNdraising and awareness raising ideas at www.freethechildren.com/fundraising for suggestions, or just use your creative powers to make the campaign your own.
Whether you carry out your 24 hours of silence on one day or stretch it over one month, whether it’s done as a group or by yourself, one thing is certain: Your silence will speak to the world.
Learn more about the Vow of Silence
Register your Vow of Silence campaign
Explore children’s rights issues
