I also wonder whether this story is anything more than an anti-religious hate article.
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In the capital of Dakar alone, at least 7,600 child beggars work the streets...The children collect an average of 300 African francs a day, just 72 cents, reaping their keepers $2 million a year.
One keeper doesn't take care of 7,600 children so the $2 million a year is irrelevent. The keeper earns 72 cents/day which is $21.60/month for each child less expenses for rent, food, clothing, etc.
Quote:
He expects them to beg to pay the rent, because there are no fields here to till.
In third world countries, parents can't afford to raise children until the arbitrary age of 18 years old. Many children in these countries must work to provide for their families. It used to be like that in the US too before we became a wealthy country so we don't have any right to look down on other countries for doing the same to prevent them from starving to death.
Quote:
But their earnings far exceed his rent of $50. If the boys meet their quotas, they bring in around $650 a month in a nation where the average person earns $150.
$650/month total. Each child brings in $21.60. That means he takes care of 30 children. 72 cents/day per child = $21.60/month x 30 children = $650/month.
The teacher takes care of 30 children, gives them an education, shelter, food, etc. The parents don't pay any tuition or any fees to cover the cost of room and board because they are poor and can't afford too. Therefore, the children must work (which isn't uncommon in 3rd world countries) to pay expenses. Normally, they would work in the fields (probably farming - children of farmers still do this in the US today) but that work isn't available so they have the children beg for money.
The article implies they are overcharging since the earnings ($650) far exceed his rent ($50), suggesting he is making $600 off this deal. What about the cost of food to feed 30 children? Also, aren't teachers entitled to compensation for their services? How many of you would start a boarding school and teach 30 children, provide childcare, food, shelter, and other expenses for only $600/month minus food expenses for all 30 children? That's just $20/month per child minus food and other expenses. Charities seeking donations to help the starving kids in Africa usually want more than that to sponsor a child. I wouldn't be surprised if it cost $20/month to feed each child and the religious teacher is educating them for free.
What about the "child abuse" mentioned in the article?
Quote:
It was getting dark. Coli had less than half the 72 cents he was told to bring back. He was afraid. He knew what happened to children who failed to meet their daily quotas.
They were stripped and doused in cold water.
They were probably dirty from being outside all day. "stripped and doused in cold water" = taking a shower in a third world country
Quote:
The older boys picked them up like hammocks by their ankles and wrists. Then the teacher whipped them with an electrical cord until the cord ate their skin.
This sounds bad but it's hard to know exactly what is happening. Some parents in the US whip their kids with electrical cords. Some schools still beat kids with paddles. It's been done throughout history. The situation mentioned may not be any different. If Coli was severely whipped like the article implies, would his father have sent the religious teacher two more sons?
I'm NOT saying I support what's happening. I'm just questioning what is really going on. Are these children really tortured and used as slaves to make their masters rich or is this an anti-Islamic hate article trying to misrepresent what's really happening for the purpose of attacking Islam or religion in general?
21 Apr 2008, 3:03 pm
