“Listen to Us and We’ll Change the World!”

During 2006 and 2007, Tapori International[1] asked children to participate in its campaign “Listen to Us and We’ll Change the World!” by working together to make silhouettes and to present themselves and their ideas to other children around the world. A silhouette is what we see when we meet someone for the first time. But our first impression can often be wrong. Once we get to know that person, we also see what they have in their heart.

We first asked children to read the true story of Ono and Rene, two boys from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Then each child asked a friend to draw her silhouette and wrote about or drew herself and her hopes for the world. Once the silhouette was decorated, it was sent to Tapori.

A number of silhouettes were exhibited at the Palace of Nations at the United Nations in Geneva, during the Human Rights Council, from March 12 to April 6. This exhibit was titled, “Children’s Silhouettes: Invitation to a Dialogue.”

Next Tapori will send the artwork around the world in “silhouette suitcases” so that children in other places can discover them. The silhouettes travel with a description of the children that made them, photos of their countries, or other objects to create links between children.

[1] Tapori is a worldwide network of friendship between children of all backgrounds. It was created and is run by the International Movement ATD Fourth World, an anti-poverty NGO. Tapori’s slogan is “All children should have the same chances.”

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Su is originally from the suburbs of Bangkok. Her parents must take any job that they can find. During a number of months, they work on construction sites, then they work in sugarcane plantations, in ice factories, etc. In the past, Su, her mother, and her brother lived during the school vacation periods (end of March till the end of May) with a community of families living under a bridge.

This year Su decided to come by herself to live under the bridge outside of this period. She is able to stay in touch with her mother regularly by telephone. Su is 14 and was only able to go to one year of school. Even if she considers herself illiterate, an adult who works with her tells us that she can read and write her name and even simple children’s books.

When she returned to the community under the bridge, the other inhabitants invited her to join a Chinese acrobatic group. When Su doesn’t put on shows for parties and holidays with this group, she asks for money in front of the neighboring Buddhist temple. She also participates in art and cultural activities organized by the NGO, ATD Fourth World Movement.

During the silhouette exhibit at the UN, a number of visitors were very touched by Su’s silhouette and story. One who lives in her area asked how he can help. We hope that an arrangement will be found for Su and other children like her in this and other communities will be able to return to school.