HUMAN RIGHTS MODULE FOR
SECONDARY SCHOOL
Implementation steps
Activity
1. The teacher asks the students to form groups and to select a group leader.
2. The teacher distributes the extract (Appendix 1) and a sheet of mahjong paper to
each group.
3. The teacher asks the groups to write down the answers to the questions on the
mahjong paper.
Appendix 1
Q who is 9 years old is small for his age. He looks unhealthy and unkempt. He has
scabies and his skin is dirty. His father had died several years ago. His mother supports
10 children on her own. Two elder sisters are already working but in another town.
Q said that he came to the town by following a “grandma” who was not his real
grandmother. They were brought by an “uncle” who was not a real relative. The old
lady forces Q to beg from dawn to late in the night. Q is taken from place to place
to beg by the old lady and several other people he does not know. He is forced to
make a specific amount each day. If not, he is beaten and abused by the old lady.
Q said that the old lady would spend all the money either gambling or on liquor.
“I hate the grandma because she always hits me.”
Because he is often not given food to eat, Q hides some money in his shirt. When
the old lady finds out, she beats Q very badly. Q wants to escape from this abusive
life but he has no safe place to go to. Besides, Q does not know the way back to his
village.
Q and the old lady had been arrested by the authorities and detained in the lock-up
before being sent back to the village but the old lady always took him to the town
again. This has happened several times.
1. Based on the extract of the story, what rights of the child are being denied?
2. Who is involved in denying Q his rights?
3. Who is benefitting from Q’s situation?
4. How did this situation come about? Why?
5. Who by right should fulfil Q’s needs for survival?
6. What should be done by Q’s mother?
7. What should Q do?
8. In your opinion, how can we deal with Q’s suffering?
9. Based on the UDHR and CRC, what rights of the child are being denied in Q’s case?
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