AN Enfield schoolgirl has won an Amnesty International award for human rights reporting with an article about child labour.
Isabella French, 11, who goes to Merryhills Primary School in Bincote Road, picked up the Young Human Rights Reporter of the Year award at a ceremony at the charity's headquarters in Shoreditch on Thursday.
She said: “I feel ecstatic – there are no words to describe it. Today has been a real experience.
“I wouldn't mind being a journalist when I grow up. I never really thought about it before.”
Isabella beat more than 1,000 entrants to win one of the awards' four age categories with her 250 word article on child labour.
She received the prize accompanied by her mother Sharon and teacher Caroline Ginty.
And an extract from her article was read out at the ceremony by Harry Potter actress Imelda Staunton in a pre-recorded segment.
Kate Allen, director of Amnesty International UK, said: “It’s been a fantastic competition and we’re proud to be encouraging the next generation of human rights journalists.
“Reporters play a vital role in shining a spotlight on the appalling human rights abuses that happen every day across the globe – issues that Amnesty frequently campaigns upon.
“And hopefully the entrants into the Young Human Rights Reporter of the Year can take up that mantle in the years ahead.”
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