I am a child, but I am forced to think as a youth.
I have a small body, but I have a big responsibility.
When kids my age are thinking about which game they want,
I am thinking about how I can find work in my small planet.
I didn’t go to school, but….but, believe me I’m not a coddled child, I can’t. I know that school is important and I dream to go to college.
Maybe I am a special case. But it seems to me that those kids are the special case in my village.
If only I could go to school, hold a small bag, sit at the table, get out my books, say hi to my teacher, and draw a wonderful picture. Unfortunately it’s just dream, just innocent dreams
But the truth is……….
I should work on sunny days, rainy days, snowy days, everyday every single day, work, work and work. Hard work for little salary. No excuses. No holidays.
Don’t mock me if I’m ignorant of what you are studying in the school. I can’t speak more than my native language, but I’m not guilty.
I’m fond of colors, books, soft papers. Even so, I should work for a living, to buy medication for my mother, and food for my sister and my brother. This is my responsibility.
In the morning, when I wake up to go to work, I see kids my age going to school, I remember my dreams… I’m imagining myself in their place…… Oh it’s a beautiful dream… But when I look at my small hands which become dirty and rough, I know that they’re just dreams, day dreams.
To be honest I want to be a kid. I want to play with small kids not work with old men. I want to buy games, books, colors, bags, and go to school. I want to be a kid by all means.
Do you think that you can help me when you prevent child labor? No. But if you really want to help me, build a public school in my village… give work to my father and medication for my mother .
I want to be like other kids. I’m a kid, too.
I’m in pain but hopeful. I’m waiting for you!
Books, not bricks . They are meant to learn, not earn.
LET’S EDUCATE & BUILD A BETTER WORLD FOR THEM.
