Was looking at my friend's Facebook pictures. There is a lovely picture where her li'l daughter is taking a camel ride. I saw the picture and thought how cute.... And suddenly I saw... in the same picture, there is a li'l boy who is managing the camel. Then I felt the boy is looking at me and asking "why me?... Why should I leave my education and work at such a tender age? I started thinking.. Our kids get all the comfort and a lovely childhood, and these kids struggle to get their basic necessities. Our kids go to International schools where they have AC classrooms and a great environment to study, and these kids are not even allowed to complete their basic education.
I thought we should never encourage child labor. But are we really concerned? When I go to a restaurant, I often find kids working in the cleaning section. I give the child some tip and leave. This is just one instance. We find this everywhere. They have toys, in their hands.. not to play but to sell them. Have loads of books.. Not to read ..but to load and unload them in book stores as helpers...I still buy those toys and books. Am I not encouraging child labor?
Then I thought what am I doing to stop it? Can I do something? I defend myself saying I am helpless, the govt is responsible. Who is actually responsible? the government, the parents of those kids or WE?
I show a lot of pity towards them. But, does it solve their problem? Can we see 0% child labor in India? A dream that has to come true some day. A dream where every child gets his basic education. But When?
I hope I will find an answer to my questions someday and no picture will have to ask me ...Why Me?
I thought we should never encourage child labor. But are we really concerned? When I go to a restaurant, I often find kids working in the cleaning section. I give the child some tip and leave. This is just one instance. We find this everywhere. They have toys, in their hands.. not to play but to sell them. Have loads of books.. Not to read ..but to load and unload them in book stores as helpers...I still buy those toys and books. Am I not encouraging child labor?
Then I thought what am I doing to stop it? Can I do something? I defend myself saying I am helpless, the govt is responsible. Who is actually responsible? the government, the parents of those kids or WE?
I show a lot of pity towards them. But, does it solve their problem? Can we see 0% child labor in India? A dream that has to come true some day. A dream where every child gets his basic education. But When?
I hope I will find an answer to my questions someday and no picture will have to ask me ...Why Me?
