VANGUARD
While very few Nigerian children are still able to have tea and bread under the warm roof of their parents, the majority are now sourcing for their daily bread (scavenging) from refuse dumps.Beginning from the new year, many of these children, between the ages of nine and 14, can be seen carrying sacks filled with various kinds of dirt, ranging from used cartons, empty drink cans and used plastic bottles and bowls.
Economy&Lifestyle’s encounter with Jacob Olorunfemi, a 10-year-old, revealed that the economy is dealing blows of hunger and difficulty on his parents and making him unable to attend lessons.“I don’t go to lessons anymore because my parents said there is no money, after the Christmas celebration.
“I usually attend a lesson like school, where I pay N500 per week.
“My mother usually sweeps and wash clothes for customers.
“My father works at a bus park.
“I have a friend called Sule. He is twelve years old. He used to pick used plastics and condemned items and sell them.
“His mother beg for alms for a living.
“He advised me to join him in this scavenging routine and I have been able to save N2,000 since I started.”
Another encounter with Yekini Salam, an eleven year old, revealed that his father was late and had left him with his step mother who also had three children to take care of. This has led him to a scavenging routine for survival.
“I have not been in school for years. I dropped out when I lost my father. I don’t know who my mother is but I have a step mother and three step brothers.
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