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Child Labor? Is child labor suppose to be permitted or better said is
it fair for us the children to be involved in fieldwork at such a
young age. I believe that somebody should speak up for us and find a
solution to prevent the necessity of having to have children work in
the fields, too.
My family has been migrating to many different states of the United
States to work out in the fields for many years, now. I started
working when I was just 9 years old. At that age every 9 year old is
learning how to ride a bike or getting swimming lessons not working in
the fields during the summer. For five years now I have been working
in the fields. I would have to go through this trouble to help my
family maintain economic stability. Being that the legal age to work
in the fields is sixteen, because of the pesticides being used, but is
also the legal to work anywhere in the United States. So I ask myself
why does anybody do something to stop child labor or help prevent it
from happening.
Working in the fields is not appropriate for children because there
are too many pesticides that are used to kill weeds or protect the
crop. In the mornings it is to cold to be out there working and then
to top things of the sugar beets are usually wet. So that causes us
little kids to get sick the following day, but also causes illness
that be awaken at on older age. The kind of work that I do requires
you to walk about 10 hours a day which is more exercise then what your
body requires you to a have a day.
Last year in May of 2003, I was invited to participate and be a guest
speaker at the Hispanic Congressional Caucus conference and speak
before congressmen and congresswomen about my experience for being a
migrant youth field worker. I spoke before them to try to change the
way many congressmen/congresswomen think about migrant youth workers.
So that they can support the funding for more programs that help
migrants and be to stop child labor. After I spoke to the different
congressmen/congresswomen they had a different perspective towards
youth fieldworkers, that I was even offered support to pursue my
education and lifetime goal of becoming a good political figure.
Child labor is wrong because I feel that every child deserves a normal
childhood. Unfortunately, those children and I, who have to work at
such a young age do it to help our family economic stability, due to
the high unemployment rate found in throughout the United States. That
is why I would like to be able to speak in front of congressmen/ and
congresswomen and political figures to try and get them to stop child
labor. By having them fund more programs that help children stay out
of the fields, and lso develop new jobs for our parents.
In the past I have been able to participate in may different kind of
activities to help my community. I was involved in the Feast of
Sharing this past November, which is an event that our city has, it is
designed to provide a Thanksgiving Dinner for the less fortunate. I am
also part of the Maverick County Youth Trail Riders Club in which we
do different activities to help our community provide the basic
necessities for the needy. I just currently joined the Border Patrol
Explorers, it is a club which we learn the laws and rights for the
immigrants. In these club we also participate in activities organized
by the community to stop violence and other illegal activities. School
related activities I am involved in the girls softball team, we do
different fundraiser to help out our team mates who need our help.
Recently we raised money to help one of our teammate’s family with
money to cover her sister’s funeral expenses.
If I am allowed to participate in the Children’s World Congress it
will be a great impact in my life knowing that I was given the
opportunity to speak in front of different nations about migrant youth
fieldworkers. Traveling to Washington, D.C. to participate in the
Hispanic Congressional Caucus was a wonderful experience in which I
was able to change many Congressmen/Congresswomen point of view toward
child labor. And I feel that if I am given the opportunity to
participate in the Children’s World Congress, I will be able to
change more people’s point of view and come back with support for
funding to stop child labor.
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