It is one of the biggest issues faced by the developing world; I just can’t even imagine the scale of the problems faced by families under the poverty line. Partly I would blame the parents who send these kids to sweat shops and streets to do menial jobs and not concentrating on their future. I understand that it’s out of their plight that they have no other options than to send them to work. But if in case, they approach the appropriate channels or bring into light such issues as a whole group (Community organisations) to the Government or NGO’s, then there will definitely be a future for these kids. I have seen some clippings of children working hard, carrying loads which would even exceed their own weight! And at the end of the day they get paid, by which the employer is the winner, coz they can easily get away with children by paying them less than an adult wage. Government policies should come into practice to stop such atrocities and protect the children.  

I believe that people have to start thinking about their futures rather than thinking of pushing off a day in happiness, for which children are the backbone for the future, the future lies in their hands. So to build up such a society, you need to educate children, no matter what income group they are from. Or otherwise the wealthiest should be channelling some sort of help (financial) to these children through charities or even directly working with them. For eg: when a new academic year starts, the wealthier groups can gather together and do some fundraising for that year, to provide School uniforms, books and school dinners for the academic year. Or rather set up their own schools if they want to, coz I know how wealthy some of those people are! Life is all about channelling the wealth that God has given us, so that there is peace and harmony everywhere.

May I remind you of these words spoken by Mahatma Gandhi:

“In India we have three million people who have to be satisfied with one meal a day, and that meal consists of a chapatti containing no fat in it and a pinch of salt. You and I have no right to anything we have until these three million are clothed and fed better. You and I, who ought to know better, must adjust our wants, and even undergo voluntary starvation in order that they may be nursed, fed and clothed.”

After reading this, what do you think about those children? Isn’t it awful? The Creator himself puts us across such situations so that we could do something for them, rather than taking advantage of cheap labour.