One thing that is difficult about visiting Pakistan is that the country is literally full of working kids. While child labor was part of America's not-too-distant past, it was never something I even gave a second thought to before being exposed to the world at large. It's hard to know what to think about this, because while it seems like such a universally bad thing from my limited perspective - kids should be in school! - I also know that a lot of these kids wouldn't eat or have roofs over their heads if they weren't out working.
Some kids are actually laboring at jobs. They're called a chohta, meaning small, kind of like "younger one" or assistant, sidekick, apprentice. M says that it's likely all mechanics have a chohta, "they cost next-to-nothing, sometimes they just get food, and mostly they're just there to learn how to one day be a mechanic themselves." They're also apprentice salesmen, beggars, window washers, tea waiters - you name it there are kids doing it, probably. They're in every market, on every street corner.
I'm never sure how to deal with these kids. In a guidebook I read before going to Pakistan the first time, it suggested giving candies to beggar kids rather than money, since the assumption is that they are working for some kind of organized beggar group where one guy is collecting money from all these kids, and he will be the real recipients of the money, not the kids.
That plan failed quickly, though. I offered candy to the first kids that came up to me and he said to me in Urdu, "Lady, I need atta (literally flour, or basic food), not candies." It was terrible, and I never tried that again. Another time, a kid hounded M for money even after M had given him some and kept walking after us telling M that he knew he must have dollars (meaning not Pakistani ruppees, I know you're from abroad and you should be giving me more money than you have) and eventually he gave up, grabbed M's hand and said, in Urdu, "If you can't give me more than this, you must need it more than me. Here, take it back." Such spitefulness from a kid no more than 7 or 8 really surprised me. What must that kid know to be able to that at such a young age.
I have a few pictures from our previous travels of kids at work. In the first is a young boy outside of Islamabad, who was there selling roasted corn on the cob. He was really sweet and shy, and though he said I could take his picture, he was too shy to look into the camera. The second is a builder's apprentice we came across in Karachi (who I wrote about before, here) who was really happy to have his picture taken. (I really wish I had the ability to instantly print the pictures I took, I bet the people who let me take their pictures would really like to keep a copy of it. And that kid in particular really knew how to strike a pose!) In the last picture in the first beggar kid we came across, the atta one.
I'd be really interested to hear what you all think about this issue, and/or how you deal with it.
23 comments:
Of course it is depressing seeing children working. I heard the number 15 million of working children in India - that is just awful.
When I go back to India, I'm told to ignore their request for money, simply bcoz they never get any of it; it goes, as you say, to a ringleader of sorts.
Children working is fine, as long as they study as well with their work. Most of the children working in Pakistan really aren't into studying..
I work in international development, and I never give to kids. If kids can make money, it's an incentive to take them out of school and to make them work. I know it's hard on the child you're not giving to, but nothing will change if we keep making it profitable to put children to work begging. I also don't give to women holding babies, for the same reason.
In Bangladesh I came across a pro-child labor movement. The point was, as you say: these kids and/or their families would starve without the money earned from their labor and it is unrealistic to expect a child labor ban to work for this reason. So the solution isn't to ban child labor, but regulate it and ensure that children are able to work and study.
Many houses I have visited in Indian and Pakistan have children working as domestic helpers. And my ex-housemaid had been a domestic worker in India since the age of 9 or so. She was sent/trafficked from Nepal to work and earn money for her family. It is hard to imagine. She loves them, and they love her, but they really really needed the $$$.
It is a very harsh reality to live with indeed.
I agree with Alanna and luckyfatima,
these kids need the money and if they dont work, they will beg or meet some worse fate. And it is not just them, but their whole families which need that money.
If you really want to make a difference it is to allow them access to night schools. They love it.
Again, Ive had cases where beggars have refused food (yes, I offered food from restaurant) and education or steady work. They like the world they live in.
I couldnt digest that initially, but I guess it takes all types to make the world. We can try and help, but after that its upto them.
In the end, its better to offer a copy and pen than money to a begging child, and act kindly to a working one.
It's quite simply wrong and despicable.
No two ways about it.
I have not been to Pakistan but I have lived in Brazil where this is everywhere.
I remember going to one particular market on certain days(at the time school was in) just so I could request the same little boy and tip him. One day I went there and he was gone...I asked about him and one of the regulars said he was in school. I cried-my heart was broken but at the same time so proud of that boy.
Seeing children in that position is so difficult and something that you really cannot understand despite it being reality in other parts of the world- unless you experience first hand.
It just breaks my heart and seeing the first photo you have here brings back so many memories that I have pushed to the back of my mind. I think children here really do not know how good they have it.
I believe education is the key and despite my thoughts about Pakistan and Pakistanis at times, I truly believe they have so much potential and so much to offer and it begins with education. My wish is for everyone there to realize that-not just a select few.
Ahh well...thanks for sharing this with us and opening the eyes of others. I feel truly blessed when I look at my children
The world is a cruel place, no doubt. I can understand the reasoning for children to work in order to help the family. But begging?? Initially when I was in Pakistan I would give to the children begging money. Finally I began believing my husband when he said they were "professionals" and they didn't get any of the money, so I only gave to the children who had a disability of some sort. Then I heard stories that they were faking the disability and even in some cases the "ringleader" or family would intentionally injure the child!
One day we were out in the Blue Area at a light; a boy came up to the car begging...he looked so pitiful and one arm was amputated...I insisted my husband give him some money. My husband's friend kept saying no,bhabi, no he is faking it. I didn't believe him...do you know that man reached thru the window and grabbed that boy, raised his kameez, and showed me how the boy's arm was tied up with a rope around his chest and under his arm!!!???? I was horrifed for the boy, but he seemed to be in a trance of some sort...anyways the "friend" gave the boy some money and some food stuff we had in the car. The "friend" is an ass, I know, but I don't think I'd have believed him otherwise.
As far as child workers and beggars, I think the sexual abuse of these kids makes it so much worse. It makes me sick to think what these little kids go through. And if you've listened to the beggars, it's almost like they've been brainwashed to recite their spiel!
Well, this last time we went to Pakistan, my kids were older, and we would only give food. Usually when we went out, we'd pack sandwiches or snacks or buy some yummy something outside. It was really awesome to see my kids sharing their food and candy with these little kids. But then these beggars were younger and not jaded like the older ones...Plus I knew we were giving them something and their "ringleader" couldn't take it away...a few minutes of fun and some good food.
I was pointed to your post by your fellow blogging friend who posts her musing at http://americanepali.wordpress.com/. The reason is that I had told her a story about an American guy who "fought" against a carpet manufacturer in Nepal.
As you have personally seen and from the comments here, child labor is a common issue across most developing countries. Nepal, where I am from, is no exception. However, as you correctly observe, if these kids are not working, they will be out on the streets begging.
The American guy, however, was not as astute. To him, he saw child labor as an issue and himself as the western savior to save the not knowing third world kids out of the hands of the evil that was this carpet company. He did not bother to understand the dynamics of all this, marched into the office, threatened the owner that he is going to get international organizations get involved and it resulted in the owner letting go of all these kids.
He promptly returned to the States, probably very proud of his accomplishment and completely unaware that the kids that he "saved" are now on the streets, hungry & begging for food. Some have developed dependency to drugs, a habit they picked up from other street kids (yes, this is a big issue in Nepal).
Child Labor is a problem and everyone agrees with it. However, for most of these kids, this is their chance to hopefully make it big. A lot of households in Nepal have kids helping out. In return, they get good education, proper living conditions and a shot at a better life. If you look at it just from the perspective of the kid working, yes that is child labor. However, if you take time to look deeper into the socio-economic layer, you will see that in most of the cases, their current situation is much better than where they will be without that sidekick gig.
So while I am not saying that this is an ideal situation, I think what concerns me is that those who go on a huge anti-child labor rampage in the developing countries are usually from developed world and rarely (make an effort to?) understand the social issues behind the scenes.
When I went to Pakistan, I was 22. Yes, I felt awful seeing children in such situations, but at the time had no true understanding as to the dynamics. I will confess that by the end of the trip (Week 6), I was truly tired of the throngs of kids descending upon me. There were times when I could not even walk and constantly had a child pulling on my kameez. It was stifling. Again, I was a selfish, naive 22 year old who simply did not know what was happening, Big Picture. Now, I am embarrassed to admit how irritated I was by the end of the trip.
Sigh.
I think commenter tundal45 has some very astute observations.
voce esta no paquistao agora?
Najam you said, Most of the children working in Pakistan really aren't into studying.
Are you kidding or what?
Now to the post topic - it is very disturbing to me. The saddest part is most of their income goes to take care of the the and almost every home got alcoholic or heroine addict father. There are so many kids on the streets because most women aren't allowed to work outside their home. I personally believe if Pakistan able to curb child labor by making them to stay at school then women have to go out and earn extra income and they won't be dependent too much on Men and by experience women spend their money on shelter and food. They will be free to leave the losers who are only good to increase population and nothing at all.
A very good, straightforward discussion of child labor can be found here: Why Children Labour.
As the article above (and tundal45) explains, in many cases, refusing to allow poor children to work leads to worse outcomes for these children. Furthermore, the study of child labor in the field of economic development suggests that, as soon as families have enough income to get by without child labor, they pull the kids from working and send them to school.
As far as begging goes - I never, never, never give to beggars. Begging, in economic terms, is a costly activity (time spent begging isn't spent doing something else, like learning a trade) - and as an individual tourist, your marginal contribution is not going to make a long-term difference in any children's survival. See this post for more details on the matter.
If you want to give, the best way is to find a charity that is producing measurable results (consider researching charities through the Givewell organization), and write a big check, no strings attached, when you can. Or, if you feel a need to give money face-to-face, give it to someone who looks destitute but is not begging.
P.S. Another good explanation of why you shouldn't give money to beggars can be found here.
Neena,
No kidding there are such cases where children are encouraged to study but they prefer to work. For instance take Shehzad Roy's Zindagi project as an example, even after all his efforts.. they found many children who aren't interested in studying because generally the syllabus restrains the student's grade growth to a year, with ways to test student memory.
Such people even if they are somehow interested to study, they want to learn the skilled work, but they do not like to study subjects that are unrelated and just there to prolong the course to a year in most cases.
Excellent photos to show the reality of child labor in Pakistan.
Yes this is extremely sad to see kids working instead of being in schools, also the beggar kids, we can't tell how they come in this profession may be some just come themselves other may have no choice.
But whatever the case these are wrong places for such children, after all they are also the Part of future of this country, if they don't get good education and stuff, this will not only be bad for them but also for the society, specially the ones who are beggars.
And I think only Government can lots for them, picking them from stops and provide them facilities to live and study etc.
But yes people as well can do lots, just take the responsibility for even one child and give him 4 to 5K each month, it would be enough to keep him going with studies initially but will only work if parents of that child willing to see him/her studying.
It's amazing to read about things from a fresh perspective. It's a problem that just shouldn't exist, but it does, and it has no immediate/easy solution.
I know this is ridiculously late, but I only just discovered your blog (which, by the way, is FANTASTIC). Just my two cents, when I travel to India with my husband, I buy tons of Parle G (gluco biscuits). I'm not sure if you get them in Pakistan, but they're really cheap, only 5-10 rupees each, really filling, and they serve the same purpose of giving the kids something they don't have to share with someone else, like they would if you give them money. It also solves the boy you spoke to's problem of "atta" vs. candy, because gluco biscuits are so filling that my in-laws say they can serve as meal substitutes.
I know this is ridiculously late, but I only just discovered your blog (which, by the way, is FANTASTIC). Just my two cents, when I travel to India with my husband, I buy tons of Parle G (gluco biscuits). I'm not sure if you get them in Pakistan, but they're really cheap, only 5-10 rupees each, really filling, and they serve the same purpose of giving the kids something they don't have to share with someone else, like they would if you give them money. It also solves the boy you spoke to's problem of "atta" vs. candy, because gluco biscuits are so filling that my in-laws say they can serve as meal substitutes.
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