1. Daphne Amelo 8-73
The Courage of a child- By: Daphne Amelo 8-73 
Child labour is a world issue that takes away children’s rights.I cannot imagine how
horrible a child labourers’ life is;no education, poverty, bad working conditions, and a life
where you cannot live with your family? Not everyone knows that child labour exists! The life
of a child labourer is very different from the lives that we live in right now; we are lucky
enough that we get to go to school, and stay home with our families. I strongly advise you to
read the novel, Iqbal; for you to learn facts and information about child labour that you never
knew before.
Not everyone knows that the issue child labour exists in this world. Take Iqbal for
example; a child labourer fighting for freedom. Iqbal is one courageous, brave, child. Despite all
the pain and torture that he had experienced, he still did not give up. “Next Spring, you and I
are going to fly a kite. Remember that, whatever happens” (D’Adamo, Iqbal, page#55). When
Iqbal spoke about flying a kite in the future, this tells me that he “knows” that someday all child
labourers in Hussain Kahn’s workshop will someday be free. Iqbal is determined to make a
positive difference in a child labourers’ life. You should at least try to make a difference too!
Think about the children!
It is probably hard living life as a child labourer. Their lives arenot as easy as they
sound. Child labourers work from dawn to dusk (D’Adamo, Iqbal, page# vi). What if you were
in their situation? Can you survive the life condition they are in? Children here in Canada, do
not work in factories, fields, workshops, or kilns to pay off their family’s debt. Instead, we are
given the opportunity to go to school. We are very fortunate that we belong to a family; who
loves and cares for us. Child labourers like Iqbal are sent away from their homes to work and
pay of their family’s debt (D’Adamo, Iqbal, page# vi). You are lucky enough to live the life you

2. Daphne Amelo 8-73
are in right now. Sometimes we even complain; we need to understand and accept the fact that
their situation is more complicated that ours.
What Iqbal Masih did was unforgettable, he had made a difference in a child labourers’
life. His story is written in the novel, Iqbal. Iqbal; is a child labourer who created a difference in
the world. Eshan Kahn is someone who also wants to free child labourers; he was the one who
freed the child labourers’ in Hussain Kahn’s workshop. Iqbal chose to “stay” with Eshan Kahn,
and help free other child labourers instead of going home with his family, Iqbal is determined
about making this decision (D’Adamo, Iqbal, page #91). Other people think that children cannot
make a difference. But Iqbal, proved them wrong. Iqbal had successfully made a positive
difference about child labour; he created a huge impact in this world. Iqbal made a difference
not only for him self, but for other child labourers too. What Iqbal did was an act of bravery,
and it took a lot of courage, especially for a child in a very young age.
Iqbal is different, not everyone have the courage like he does. He had created a
difference in a child labourers’ life in Pakistan, and probably in other places too! Something that
you could do about this issue is that you could read the novel; it states facts and the true life
story of Iqbal. If you read this book, it will help you become more aware of the issue; child
labour. Another thing that you could do is you can spread awareness too! Let others know that
there are child labourers all over the world that needs their help, your help.