It's approximately 6:30 p.m. and I'm sitting in a gas station while my car's tank is being filled. My mind wanders as I think about things I have to do and when. I'm brought back to reality when two little girls, aged about six and eight, approach me. The older one says, "Miss, any Jello?" My heart melts as I look at the sweet faces waiting for a response. I have no cash so I have to say no. Still, the older girl pleads, "Miss, support me nuh please?" I, unable to, say no again.

She doesn't seem angry at my negative response, only disappointed. She gently walks away with the smaller one in tow, but not before she turns and says, "Drive safely home Miss", and they disappear into the dark evening.

I sat there and I pondered whether they had gone to school that day, if their homework were already done. Had they eaten dinner yet? Did they watch cartoons or play dandy shandy that evening?

Forced to peddle on the streets

These are things normal children are expected to do daily. But the harsh reality is that some like these two sweethearts are forced by their parents to peddle on the streets day and night.

I've always been amazed at how this sort of abuse can be allowed, especially in a violent country like Jamaica where child molesters are on the run hunting for their next prey. What does the Child Development Agency, the Office of the Children's Advocate and other such entities have to say about this? Plans are in place? It's in the pipeline? Who will rescue our children before it's too late.It breaks my heart to see children being robbed of their childhood like this. It's not enough to say that their parents are poor and they need the children's help to make ends meet. There can be no excuse for exposing young children like that.

I'd like to suggest that if there are penalties for abusing our children like this they should be strictly enforced. Parents will never stop forcing their children to become little vendors unless they're either locked up behind bars and lose those children to State care.

And then we want to enforce performance-based pay for teachers. How does it become the teachers' fault when a child doesn't show up for school on 'market days' or doesn't do homework or revision in the evenings because the time is spent selling on the streets?

Parents' responsibility

It is high time we held our worthless parents responsible for what their children are and will become when they're adults. These parents don't have a conscience and want nothing good of their children, if they're robbing the opportunity to just be a child. Some of these parents willingly stay home and send the children out to sell because adults will be mesmerised by their sweet little faces and a sale will surely be the end result. How smart!

We really shouldn't buy anything from these children. If they return home with nothing, maybe they won't send them out again. But then, on the other hand, they'd probably be beaten for doing a poor job.

The Government needs to stand up and do something about these parents. Punish them!

I am, etc.,

Ann-Marie Campbell

marieanncampbell@gmail.com