A skinny blond 12-year-old kid from suburban Toronto, Craig seemed an unlikely activist for international children’s rights. Our parents were pleased to see him involved in social issues. But when Craig announced his intention to visit the locations in South Asia where some of the worst child labour practices took place, they couldn’t help but be concerned.
And when Craig said that he hoped to embark on the trip alone, our mother’s verdict was clear.
“We love you very much…,” she began, which always meant a gentle letdown was coming. “But you can’t even take the subway alone. You’re not going to Asia on your own.”
Determined to go
Craig remained persistent, writing letters to human rights organizations and researching child labour. Planning the trip became an obsession. Seeing he would not be deterred, our parents reluctantly agreed to let him go. They set two requirements: first, Craig would raise half of the funds himself; and second, he would have to guarantee his safety throughout the journey.
Bake sales, car washes, shovelling snow…Craig did everything in his power to raise money. And with 24-year-old Alam Rahman – a recent graduate Craig had met while researching the trip – as a knowledgeable companion, Craig could assure that he’d return unharmed.
A valuable experience
Our parents still had genuine concerns, but they saw Craig was ready. That year, he set off on a seven-week journey that would prove to be one of the most eye-opening experiences of his life.
Looking back, our parents weren’t opposed to the trip in principle. Their natural instinct was to ensure their child’s protection. By being required to raise the money and show how he’d be safe, Craig would have to earn his independence. It was a gift. With our parents’ faith, he was emboldened to push further and bring to light some truly horrifying scenes of child labour and exploitation.
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