In support of the CNN #MyFreedomDay initiative, MUN Impact at the American International School Chennai conducted a week-long, school-wide campaign to raise awareness about modern day slavery. Inspiring members of Kranti, an NGO which empowers women in red-light districts of Mumbai to become agents of social change, were also invited on Zoom calls and into classrooms throughout the week to have interactive Q&As with students.
Throughout the week, students from all grades were invited to collaborate on an interactive chalk blackboard display designed by MUN Impact members. Online newsletters were also written by MUN Impact members for each day of the week, featuring facts and stories about modern-day slavery for all of our students to learn more. A video was created which ran on televisions around school all week, to raise awareness among students.
On Day 1, the Peace Chain was set up, interweaved between trees in the school’s Unity Courtyard. Students were provided materials to write their own responses to key questions about modern day slavery on the individual paper strips. They were then invited to join their link to the rest of the chain throughout the week.
On Day 2, #MyFreedomDay, a “Blue Band Campaign” was carried out, where MUN Impact designed and handed out blue wristbands with the hashtag in the morning before school started. Students, parents, and faculty were all invited to view the display featured in the Unity Courtyard. Kranti had also contributed physical displays of their stories, which were shared with the students. Day 3 featured an awareness photo with all students and faculty wearing blue and their wristbands to show their support.
On the final day of the campaign, a school-wide lap-a-thon was conducted. Students requested sponsors throughout the week and were able to run with their peers to raise money which would be donated to Kranti. At the beginning of the lap-a-thon, the runners ran through the Peace Chain which was created throughout the week as a symbol of breaking the chains of modern day slavery and promoting peace for all.