Growing up too fast

Desperate for drivers loose change

 Most primary school children are busy learning to tie their shoes, lusting after the latest gizmo to hit the toy shelves and generally just being their annoying little selves, but sadly this is not the case for all.

Every day I see kids robbed of their childhood, working the streets selling anything they can get their hands on, risking being road kill as they dodge traffic to beg passengers for pennies or taking care of younger siblings while mum hustles to put food in their tummies.  

Today I was sat on the tro tro (tin on wheels) when a bunch of school kids piled on the bus. A young girl no older than eight sat in front of me with, who I presumed to be, her little sister who looked about four or five.

Sticking together while mums away

They both had matching blue uniforms, ruck sacks and gold clip-on earrings. The youngest made herself comfy on her sister’s knee while she dug out a large red purse from the pit of her sack. It was clear she made the journey regularly as she told the “mate” (money man) her stop and counted out the exact change.

In the UK alarm bells would start ringing if you spotted little people wondering the streets, hopping on public transport unaccompanied by an adult, but here it’s the norm. While they look happy as Larry going about their daily business I can’t help thinking where there mummy is.

Heavy goods on little heads

I have witnessed boys as young as 10 or 11 working the tro tro’s, hanging out doors touting for customers and I watch their muscles flex as they heave the heavy metal door shut. What’s more disturbing is their triceps are bigger than most boys my age.

When I first arrived to do my internship I stepped out of the car to be greeted by a young girl named Georgia, who immediately started hauling my suitcases (which both donned attractive orange heavy stickers) out of the boot.

Kids work these rusty wagons

I tried to tell her it was okay and take them off her as she proceeded towards the stairs, but she wasn't having any of it. I later learned she was 11 and even my dad had complained when lugging these cases down the stairs but I didn’t hear so much as a peep from this little lady.

Georgia & Bernice having fun

It turned out Georgia and her four-year-old cousin Bernice came from a rural village and were being looked after and sent to school by our host. However she was also appeared to be the cleaner, the water fetcher and the general run-around.

They both longed for fun and would tug on my arm for my iPhone every chance they got. When I skived off work I had never seen Georgia so excited, she ran into my room and told me she would be my lookout.

Escorting the blind to beg 

One day she jumped out on me and she frightened the life out of me. We both fell on the floor laughing but later on I heard her getting yelled at. I pleaded with our host that we were just playing a game but the sadness in Georgia’s big brown eyes was heart breaking. 

While I couldn't help but feel sad I reminded myself they were much better off there. 

So next time your child, niece, nephew, sibling or any other little one for that matter has a tantrum because they wanted the purple lolly and not the blue, remind them just how lucky they are. 

I give children my spare change where I can, admittedly to make myself feel less guilty more than anything, but hey every penny counts. 

Wish you were here XOXO