Africa’s World of Forced Labor, in a 6-Year-Old’s Eyes

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Most of the US' electronic media (CD's DVD's etc) are manufactured in Mexico. That doesn't seem to stop them wanting to cross the border.

You've proven C&M's , meaning that US is only-too-willing to buy products made with slave labour--rather than disproving.

Classic example is with energy (oil)--most of the workers in oilfields are noncitizens of oil-producers (typically from Sub-continent or Philippines) who take much humiliation (camplike living conditions, passport taken when they enter the country, having to get EXIT VISA to leave--when they cannot permanently settle, WFT?).

Look at Walmart. Low cost to the consumer comes at the expense of the work-force. No "slavery" there, but clearly people are prepared to work very hard for an absolute pittance.

[Karen_L 1]

I don't know what we can do about it. I know that my kid and I have given money to a boy in Burkina Faso for several years. This helps ensure he is educated, fed and has immunizations. It is a small price that does a world of good.

So there is one thing we can do. If we can all part with $10 or $15 a month we can each save one child.

I am not talking about the kid having play dates or going to McD's. But to be able to live with his family and not to live in fear or even eating would be great.

Not to hi-jack, but what organization do you sponsor the child through? My husband and I are looking into doing something similar and we're looking for good, reputable organizations.

Thanks

[Carol&Marc 0]

I don't know what we can do about it. I know that my kid and I have given money to a boy in Burkina Faso for several years. This helps ensure he is educated, fed and has immunizations. It is a small price that does a world of good.

So there is one thing we can do. If we can all part with $10 or $15 a month we can each save one child.

I am not talking about the kid having play dates or going to McD's. But to be able to live with his family and not to live in fear or even eating would be great.

Not to hi-jack, but what organization do you sponsor the child through? My husband and I are looking into doing something similar and we're looking for good, reputable organizations.

Thanks

Good luck, most kids i dont think see a dime,need to be careful!

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

When you're asking yourself that, how about looking at the history leading up to present day conditions? How is it that a country that is so rich in natural resources such as Africa ever have to deal with dire poverty and starvation? Was it always this way? Self sustaining societies existed in Africa long before the U.S. existed.

They had slavery long before we were around too (and still have it).

...and that justifies what? Accepting imported goods from countries made with child labor? We realized that slavery was a bad thing. Outlawing slavery in this country doesn't mean much if we do business with countries that still use forced labor, particularly children.

Are we 100% in agreement yet still arguing? Business as usual. I have no problem with an embargo with countries using child/slave labor. In fact, they should also get 0 (zero) US$ in aid from us.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

When you're asking yourself that, how about looking at the history leading up to present day conditions? How is it that a country that is so rich in natural resources such as Africa ever have to deal with dire poverty and starvation? Was it always this way? Self sustaining societies existed in Africa long before the U.S. existed.

They had slavery long before we were around too (and still have it).

...and that justifies what? Accepting imported goods from countries made with child labor? We realized that slavery was a bad thing. Outlawing slavery in this country doesn't mean much if we do business with countries that still use forced labor, particularly children.

Are we 100% in agreement yet still arguing? Business as usual. I have no problem with an embargo with countries using child/slave labor. In fact, they should also get 0 (zero) US$ in aid from us.

That to me is the best solution.