WORKING CHILDREN

Jitender, 12 years old - as told to Emma Holmgren

I don't want to go to school. My dad runs a samosa shop from our home. I am the errand boy. I deliver. I pick up. If we've run out of spices, I get it for him. Whatever he needs. Yes, there's a lot of work. But, I still don't want to go to school. As soon as we've saved up enough money we'll open up a real restaurant. We'll serve all kinds of food. Dad will be real busy.

I have 4 brothers and 4 sisters. My older brother dragged me to Anita's class. I would see her teach children in my neighborhood. She would call for me, but I didn't want to come. When my brother took me to the class, I would sit there with the other children. I knew them already, they were my neighbors. We prayed together. That's what I liked the most. But I played too much. Anita would yell at me because I wouldn't sit still. That's why I don't want to go to school.

My sisters are in school. They can read newspapers and books. I can't, I only look at the pictures. Next week is Rakhi festival (celebration between siblings). I will give them money. They need it for school. When I look at my sisters I want to be able to read too. I'm thinking I could manage to find time for school again. I could go to work after class. Anita was a good teacher. I was getting tired of being beaten up by all the boys. Everyone's bigger than me, even the younger ones. They'd all come after me. Every day. I couldn't take it. I want to be in the restaurant business. Dad says we'll have our own restaurant one day. I am hoping it will be soon.

Vicki, 11 years old - as told to Emma Holmgren

We're from a village in Bihar. We have six bulls there! I prefer the city. There's electricity here. When we go back to the village it's a hassle to get the TV running. We have to fix the connection and get the generator. There's more to do in the city.

I can prepare any kind of food. We sell rice, vegetables... fish... bread. My brother does the dishes. I bring the plates. I can clean up. Whenever I'm not in the shop I run after the vegetable trucks and whatever I can get a hold of I'll sell in the market.

Abhishek, 8 years old - as told to Emma Holmgren

I sell vegetables. I take them from the trains or the trucks. I can get 10 rupies. 20 rupies. 30 rupies. I give everything to mother. If I get extra money, she'll give me 2-3 rupies as pocket money. I work every day except Sundays. That's when I sleep all day.

Mother says I'm too young to go to school. I need to grow up a bit more, or the other boys will beat me up. It's not safe in school. Mother won't let me go yet. When I grow bigger, I will go to school. I will go if Vicki comes with me (Vicki nods). I want to go to school because mother says it'll give me a good job. What I want to be when I grow up? (Silence). I promise to be a good boy.