(NOTE TO READERS: This is the latest in a series of secret reports from a young Afghan friend about life under the Taliban. They are only available here on my newsletter. Our hope is to increase awareness of the human rights crisis in his country. Please help us spread the word.)
Dear David:
Today, while I was going to the office, I saw two children fighting on a rubbish dump. They were fighting over a plastic bag filled with food scraps.
Most days as I walk to work, I see two or three children rummaging around on every garbage dump for stale food, recyclable plastics, scrap metals, and other items that can be reused or sold.
"I buy bread with the money I earn every day," one nine-year-old-boy told me. His hand was black from digging in the trash. "My father can't provide all the expenses for our family, so it's been two years since I'm collecting plastics."
Child labor is widespread across Afghanistan. Children work in mines, polish boots, collect garbage, wash cars, or beg in the streets. They most likely earn only about 50 cents a day at these jobs.
According to the “Save the Children,” more than one million Afghan children – some as young as six - are trapped in child labor, working in dangerous conditions just to help their parents put food on the table. At least one fifth of families in Afghanistan send their children out to work.
There seems to be very little concern about this scandalous situation in Afghanistan from abroad.
(I am protecting my correspondent’s identity out of fear for his safety. The Taliban do not take criticism kindly.)
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