Surbiton High’s “Amnesty International” club flourishes (From Surrey Comet)

Surbiton High’s “Amnesty International” club flourishes

4:20pm Friday 6th November 2009 in Your News

By Community Correspondent Gaby Mills

The 4th of November 2009 was more than just the one year anniversary of Barack Obama’s election as America’s president; it was also a day on which hundreds of people travelled from all over the country to the House of Commons, to call on their MPs for equal protective and supportive rights to all women – regardless of their immigration status.

Being a school day at Surbiton High School, the students of the newly-formed Amnesty International club decided to show their support for the “Stop Violence Against Women” campaign by holding a fundraiser during Wednesday’s lunch break; and the event thrived.

There were three different stations running simultaneously; the first was a cake and biscuit sale – always popular among teenage girls. The club provided a bountiful amount of food – which evidently turned out to be too much – and managed to raise over £60 in their thirty minute sale.

The second was a petition-signing table, where girls could sign a petition demanding equal rights for all women that is to be sent to the United Nations. As a way of luring students – and teachers – to the table, two sweets were given to every signer for free.

The third and final station was a letter-writing table; pupils wrote letters to President Obama and other influential leaders in order to draw their attention to women in countries such as Afghanistan, where they have no rights or protection.

The fundraiser was a true success, and hopefully shows that Surbiton High School’s Amnesty International club will prosper in the future as it continues to fight for human rights.