Sasha wins a trip tothe UN for speaking her mind
Times Media Limited
Sunday Times (South Africa)
June 27, 2004
SASHNI PATHER
Sasha Rajah, a Grade 7 pupil at Summerhill School in Midrand, will represent South Africa at the Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) Youth Summit at the UN from August 22-24.
A 12-YEAR-old girl's essay on the importance of educating the youth on human rights has earned her a trip to the United Nations in New York.
The purpose of the summit is to teach young people around the world about human rights and help them become advocates for tolerance and peace. The competition was run in 20 countries.
"We were asked at school to write about why it was important to educate the youth about human rights," said Rajah, who will present her essay at the summit.
Displaying a maturity beyond her age, she wrote down all the things she considered wrong in the world and suggested ways of remedying them.
"I went to India recently with my family and was shocked by the poverty in that country and realized how fortunate we are. Most of the human rights are not even practiced there," she said.
Her parents, Lalitha and Deena Rajah, will be accompanying her.
Said her mother: "Sasha is a very bubbly child who speaks her mind and is not shy to get what she wants. If she feels something is wrong, she is always very direct about it, but in a respectful way."
Her father said she had had just one day to complete the essay.
"After reading it, I realized her potential and was very impressed. She discussed global issues and then wrote about South Africa and gave her opinion on how violations of human rights can be rectified."
Summerhill principal Sonja Anderson-Morshead said nine pupils of the school were chosen to write essays, which were sent to Los Angeles.
"We are very proud of Sasha and view this as an amazing achievement. Sasha is a very mature girl and quite serious in her thinking. She obviously gave her effort a lot of thought, and her passion for human rights was very evident."
The coordinator of YHRI in South Africa, Sharleen Wohrnitz, said her essay was the best in the country.
"Her message was very clear, and this young girl put across her viewpoints clearly. The judges looked at the content and strong message."
Rajah wrote in her essay: "As South Africans, all we read about in the local newspapers is crime, mainly murder, rape and theft. This means there are South Africans out there with no respect for human life or property.
"We, the youth of our nation, can make the difference. We can influence the lives we lead by practicing good, sound human rights and setting the example to those who totally disrespect it. Remember, you are the future: the future lies in the youth of today."
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The Youth for Human Rights International Youth Summit at the United Nations was co-sponsored by the Church of Scientology International, overseen by the Leisa Goodman, Human Rights Director of the Church of Scientology International