Zaid Abdullah al-Taweeli, is an 11-year-old child labourer in Sana’a, the capital of Yemen. He was orphaned 10 years ago and is now living with his mother and two older brothers. He started working a year ago to help support his family.
“When I see people working on building sites, I go to them and ask to join them. Like them, I carry stones, concrete and wood. Actually, when I ask to work for them, they accept because I offer cheap labour.
“Over a year ago, I got to know some good labourers and we have become friends. They also call me to work with them whenever they find an opportunity. This is not a stable job. Sometimes I work and sometimes I don’t. Sometimes I make money and at times I don’t at all. When I do work, I make about 600 riyals [US $3] a day.
“I chose to be a labourer because it’s the easiest job available to me. I don’t want to work in a factory, a restaurant or a hotel as children working in places like those are badly treated and subjected to sexual harassment. I want to lead a dignified life.
“I have to work to help my elder brothers - who have unfixed jobs as labourers, street vendors or farm helpers - and contribute to providing the family with food. A year ago, I used to work in our small kiosk, selling sweets for children. It didn’t work well and we were not lucky as we couldn’t make money. I then had to work as a construction worker.
“The builders I work for now ask me to carry concrete blocks, which weigh up to 8 kilos each. I have to carry them one by one to the floor or place they want them. What I fear the most is carrying these concrete blocks up a building. If I slide or fall I might die. I am exposed to danger in many cases.
“I feel I am not enjoying my life like other boys. I have my own ambitions, but who knows whether I can fulfil them or not. I don’t want to be a labourer forever. I want to be a teacher in the future. But I’m having problems with my studies. I can’t change my school timings and working hours. Even my two illiterate elder brothers, who are 27 and 24, don’t care for my education. I have to encourage myself.
“Last year, I used to work in the morning and study in the evening, while this year I go to school in the morning and work in the evening. The result is I come home very tired. It’s really a difficult situation for me. I can’t do my school assignments, and often I am absent from classes either because of being too tired or because I am not diligent.
“I don’t know what to do, but I have to work and contribute to providing food, and paying off electricity and water bills as well as rent. I have to buy what I need for school. I live from hand to mouth. This is the rule in our home.
“I see that my classmates get good marks but this is because they have time to read and write. I hope I will be able to continue my education and at the same time contribute to the maintenance of the family.
“I don't have time to play with other boys in the neighbourhood. I can only dream of being a child who can play football or any other games."
maj/ar/ed
see also
Trafficked children could become terrorists, specialists warn
Yemeni, Saudi reps meet to tackle child trafficking
Focus on child labour
Authorities attempt to tackle child trafficking
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
