United in silence

Technology today makes communication so easy. We use cell phones, laptops, send e-mails and text messages freely and almost instantaneously with friends and family around the world. Sadly, this isn’t the case for many of our brothers and sisters worldwide who have been denied the freedom to speak out and be heard.

From March 5 to March 6, 2009, North American students will participate in the Vow of Silence to show solidarity with voiceless youth around the world. By raising awareness and collecting donations, they’ll make a huge difference for these children.

How to engage your students

Get informed!

• Look at a variety of different media—newspapers, radio broadcasts or television news. Observe and listen to whose voices are represented and whose voices have been left out.
• Discuss why these voices and perspectives have been left out. Talk about what stories you would hear if they could speak.
• Research the key factors and social and political contexts of different countries wherein people’s voices are being silenced.
• “Give a voice” to the silent through speeches, dialogues and dramatizations. Help students develop an awareness and understanding of the multiple perspectives in every story, develop a spirit of empathy and respond by taking action and speaking out.

Actions speak louder than words

Prior to the event:

• Teach stories about youth around the world and ask students to respond to what they’ve learned by “getting on their soapboxes” in your classroom, in the cafeteria or on the public address system.
• Encourage students to write their own speeches or stories, create PowerPoint presentations, organize an assembly, write public service announcements and engage your community in supporting the Vow of Silence event.

Make a statement without saying a word

On the day of the event:

• Design an artistic graffiti wall where students can share their own thoughts using words and pictures.
• Present interpretative dances, mime or tableaux in drama to educate the school and community about the challenges faced by children who are voiceless worldwide.

As educators we, too, can take the Vow of Silence...

For just one day, let’s try some alternative teaching methods so that we can also participate in this important day. Invite a guest speaker into your classroom who is deaf or hard of hearing or someone who knows sign language, and teach your students some key phrases; what a powerful and moving experience this could be for students to learn how to speak without using their voices.

Let us join with our students in taking a stand and giving a voice to the voiceless, inspired by the words of Martin Luther King, Jr. who encourages us to never “become silent about things that matter.”

Thank you for your enthusiasm and commitment to making a difference with your students,

Katy Whitfield, B.Ed
Teacher, Vaughan Road Academy, Toronto

Free The Children is the largest network of children helping children through education in the world, with more than one million youth involved in our innovative education and development programs in 45 countries. Founded by international child rights activist Craig Kielburger, Free The Children has an established track-record of success, with three nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize and partnerships with the United Nations and Oprah’s Angel Network.