Children Should be Children NOT Victims

Honorable World Leaders
C/o United Nations
New York, NY
USA

From: CCOW - Children to Children of Wars

Ref: Save our Children

Honorable Head-of-State

We are just a group of ordinary children who see only a small glimpse of the outside world through the news and television. However, the everyday images of war, death, and sufferings of children make a deep impact on us. When we see people our age lose their homes, families, limbs, lives, and dignity, we want to help stop this unnecessary pain. The sheer number of children who live lives wracked with grief and marred with psychological impacts of war is overwhelming; although it makes us more appreciative of the fortunate lives we lead, it makes us even more aware of the lives these children could have.

Therefore, we want to take a stand and do our part to soften the hardship that our peers in regions like Darfur, Israel and Palestine , and Uganda , face. The best course of action, naturally, is to appeal to the world leaders who have the power to initiate change.

We hereby suggest one humanitarian action that may be of value to saving lives. We urge leaders like you, who are currently campaigning for opposing forces to lay down their arms, to demand a worldwide ceasefire for just one day this month and to see how many children and their families are spared in just one day of no war. If the numbers are good, then try for two days next month and see how many children are saved. Better yet, let%u2019s try for four days the following month, then eight days, then sixteen. In this way within six months to a year, there will be enough days free from strife for people to breathe. We hope you and other world leaders will engage in talks with each other during the non-fighting days and find a diplomatic solution to make these changes permanent.

The world's greatest natural resource is the potential of its youth. If the children were killed, traumatized, displaced, or neglected, what kind of future would this world have? If they grew up with fear, pain, hatred, exploitation, sickness, ignorance, and humanity, what leading role can they play in leading their countries forward? It is high time that these children be given the environment in which they can best fulfill their dreams and reach their greatest promise.

We ask you to consider the number of names on the following petition as a sign that we want to help save not only our peers and friends, but also help improve the future of foreign countries and the world. We also ask you to put political pressure on countries in turmoil, or to stop their political and military agenda. By having opposing forces lay down their arms, we can hope that all children will have a better opportunity to attain education, shelter, love, health, food, recreation, and happiness. These, in light of the plight of many around the globe, are privileges when basic survival is in question. If there is one thing we can do, it is to ask you, our leaders, to stop the atrocities of political, religious, or sectional violence that hurt children and all lives alike.

As children, we don't think we are powerful enough to undo all of the damages. With your help and support, however, we can bring light and hope to those who never thought it possible. By simply signing a petition and voicing our concern, we hope that our voice is heard loudly and clearly by all nations and all people. Please give us children a chance and we will give back to the world all the rewards that are gained from having a generation of youth ready to meet the future.

Sincerely,

K. Luk
CCOW - Children to Children of Wars