Children like Wilson Peter and Dai Manju have adult responsibility placed upon them at an early age. They are a vital component to the income of their homes. Working in mines and having to give up an education are definitely no way for a child to live. In the case of Wilson Peter of Mererani, Tanzania, he has to work in the Tanzanite mines. He is asked about the dangers of the mine and what he fears. He says, “I could just fall in the mine. You can slip and fall. The mine can collapse on you. While sifting, you swallow the dust. You can get really hurt. “ Dai Manju lived in the Dabie Mountains of China. She had to drop out of school to help around the house and work to bring funds into the household. The initial opportunity to acquire an education was stripped from her. Thus the question is asked, why the children? Many children are made to work because their parents simply are not making enough money to support the family. This opens up the door for the children to be exploited. Why should the children have to suffer? Organizations such as the Good Hope Program of Mererani and Nivasa sponsor children being exploited and enslaved. The Good Hope Program of Mererani takes young men and train them in a trade such as mechanics or farming. Nivasa is an organization in Sri Lanka that provides financial assistance to victims of human trafficking to help them raise and educate their children. If there can be aid given to the families suffering, similar to Nivasa, there would be no need for the children to have to work. Also, the children are being educated, why not the parents? Of course they have to work to live, but what if there were funds allocated to assisting the parents while they go to school and can get better paying jobs in factories or offices? Kids should be able to enjoy their childhood and begin an education. I feel as though the rescue efforts wait for the child to be in trouble to intervene and help. It seems more sensible and effective to address the issue at the stem rather than wait for the children to get involved.
Organizations like this are helpful to families but many families do not know of these organizations. I think that knowledge about such organizations would be beneficial to the families. However, the same is true for the organizations. With such a vast amount of assistance to give, they can't always connect with every person in need. That may be why such organizations can not intervene before a problem persists. I think if a family needs help it should look for as many resources as it can before forcing children into labor.
ReplyDeleteRaney's argument here seems to be that giving direct aid to impoverished families can prevent child slavery. Many people call this "bribing" parents to keep kids in school. I wonder what people think of this practice. Should donors be handing out small checks to people solely for keeping their children in school? Should there be other strings attached? Nivasa Foundation, for instance, requires that the parents stay in Sri Lanka to look for work instead of traveling abroad where they might be exploited again.
ReplyDeleteI agree with J.Bryant,I believe that such organizations need to make the people of these countries aware of these organizations. These young children should not have to drop out of school to support their entire family.I also agree with Raney when he said we need to nip this in the bud when its early and not wait till its too late.
ReplyDeleteI feel that it is horrible that many children have to give up their childhood in order to take on the adult responsibilities that their parents should have. Although i feel that the adults should be doing the work, I am aware that many of these children come from families who live in extreme proverty and many of the adults are not able to work because of injury and sickness. Because of the parents inability to take care of the children i feel that their should be more organizations who help the parents get to where they need to be so that they can be a positive rolemodel for their children.
ReplyDeleteWhen children have to leave school to help work, it creates a downward spiral of poverty. They're more likely to have children early, and eventually those children will have to work and support the parents. In contrast, helping one generation go to school and receive an education helps them make enough money to let the next generation go to school.
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