Freeing Children Across the World Craig Keilburger was 12, when he read an article about a Pakistani boy, also 12, who was sold into slavery by his parents. That article started Craig on a mission which is now the world's largest organization of children helping children. With nine other classmates, Craig began Free the Children, an organization devoted to promoting education, building schools, collecting medical and school supplies, and establishing rehabilitation centers in rural and developing countries. He has told the stories to Mother Theresa, Queen Elizabeth, congressmen and prime ministers on behalf of the 250 million children forced to work as slaves or for slave wages. Craig says he thinks young people want to help, but are very frustrated.
Kids can and do make a difference.
Oprah's Angel Network Contributes Oprah shows adults can make a difference as well. Chris Pettoni heard Craig speak and was so motivated, he got his school council to raise funds for Free the Children. Opening the World of Books to Others Brandon Keefe was only in third grade when he decided to make a difference. Visiting a children's home, he heard how difficult it was for them get books. What began as a community service project for his class is now the non-profit organization Bookends, which has given away 45,000 books to children in need.