'Are you coming out to play after school?''No, I've got to go to work.'
As we were walking home from school, we met these 2 pupils from the school. They were pushing their barrow up to the market to set up their stall for the evening. They had some very sad looking fruit and some very suspect looking cakes for sale.
Of course one buys something - not to eat but out of friendship and support for their effort.
We were told that the barrow was a big step up. Previously they had carried their wares in baskets on their heads!
Other children work as garbage collectors - that is they rummage through bins looking for things they can sell - bottles, cans, paper, anything that the garbage traders will buy.
'Fancy a take-away tonight?''Er . . um . . no thanks.'
The Burmese markets in Mae Sot were full of these food stalls. What the camera doesn't record is the smell! Perhaps if you have worked in the factory from 7am to midnight (that's right, those are the normal hours they have to work - 7 days a week and 1 day off each 6 weeks - for less the a pound a day - no overtime pay) then any food would be welcome.
Spare a thought for them next time you put on your Nike or Reebok gear!
2 comments:
Interesting background to the children from the school. It reminds me again that child labour is still going on and though sad the photo is lovey. I have seen them scavaging and also being chased by security men with big wooden sticks. Their lives are brutal at times yet as you know the children still smile.
Really sad.. particularly about child labour- current forms of slavery. You are right about the Nike and Rebok- it is up to us to educate ourselves but also pupils about these issues. Shame on schools that take out Modern Studies and the likes after S2- some do! I think we need to think about how you present some of the issues you have faced and learnt to the 32 equality education officers network that CERES runs- I think there will be interest but also thinking about what we can do next.
love
R & M
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