Pakistan's Kids Work As Garbage Collectors To Make Ends Meet

For eight-year-old Hayatullah and Abdul Haq, the day begins early in the morning. They take a wagon down to Islamabad from Faizabad (the main gateway between the twin Pakistani cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad), where they, amongst several others, begin their work rummaging and sifting through heaps of garbage, lying on the floor, or, in dumpsters.

Their large, intelligent bright eyes stare at me as I ashamedly, and, as subtly as possible, turn ... Full Story »

Posted by Fabrice Florin
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Subjects: World, U.S., Living
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Posted by: Posted by Fabrice Florin - Aug 7, 2009 - 10:55 AM PDT
Content Type: Article
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Edited by: Fabrice Florin - Aug 7, 2009 - 10:55 AM PDT

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3.0
by Derek Hawkins - Aug. 7, 2009

The narrative of the garbage collectors is interesting, but this story lacks perspective from local business, charities, and independent sources who could comment on their case. Is there anyone working to make conditions better for these people? Where is the evidence that shows this is a growing problem?

Over the past several years, the amount of scavengers has multiplied as the poverty situation in the country has worsened. It is no longer just a profession ruled by ... More »

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3.4
by Fabrice Florin - Aug. 7, 2009

Informative report about the lives of young garbage pickers in Islamabad, Pakistan. The author follows a couple children on a typical day and provides factual details on their tough living conditions and their daily struggle against poverty and corruption. More independent sources would have helped this report, as well as more context to relate this particular story to the larger global issues faced by children in the developing world. A moving and insightful article from one of ... More »

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3.0
by Kaizar Campwala - Aug. 7, 2009

This piece paints a sad portrait of the plight of poor children in Pakistan. However, it looses points for not appropriately contextualizing their circumstances, the position of the government, and the roles of their families. Where does the failure lie? What role can Americans play in helping them rise from poverty?

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