Poverty Hampers Education

Poverty Hampers Education
By Liz Ford
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2007/08/24/2003375635

Dakar, which is Senegal's capital, is promoting a new form of slavery. Many young girls are sent to Dakar to work as maids. In the article, UNICEF reports that “37 percent of children between the ages of five and fourteen are involved in some form of work in Senegal.” These children are often abused verbally and sexually in these work environments. They are treated like they mean nothing. The girls are only paid about “$30 US dollars a day. They typically work, at least, twelve hour days cleaning and doing other chores seven days a week.”
“Primary and secondary schooling are free” to these young girls. However because their families are living in poverty, they need them work instead of receiving an education. Many of the parents are not aware of the dangers of sending there children off to be slaves. Organizations are trying to help the young girls out of slavery by helping them get into training centers, where they learn “needlework, hairdressing and metal work.”
In my opinion I am happy to see that organizations are stepping in to help stop slavery. These young girls should have the opportunity to receive proper education. It is so alarming to see that they are offered free education, but that so many are not taking advantage of this great opportunity. It seems that many believe that in order to get out of poverty they must send there children off to be slaves instead of learning a new skill that could actually pay more money.