- Say our families must survive before we think about school
Increasing necessity for many children to support their families has led to a noticeable rise in school-age children taking on menial jobs including gathering disused plastics for sale to outfits involved in their recirculation. GBENGA ADERANTI delves into the trend and its implications for the children’s future.
AS the world slowly shook off the remnants of New Year’s Eve festivities, 12-year-old Emmanuel Eboigbe was already up at about by 6:30 am on New Year’s Day, on a mission that underscored both hardship and hope. In his bustling Akute neighbourhood in Ifo Local Government Area in Ogun State, he diligently collected discarded plastics from the bins that lined the streets.
The early morning light framed his silhouette—small yet resolute—against the backdrop of the waking community. With a sack slung over his back filled to the brim with abandoned plastics, Emmanuel’s dedication was palpable.
“This is what I do every morning,” he remarked, his voice steady amid the quiet bustle of dawn. He exuded a sense of purpose that made his efforts not merely a chore but a noble undertaking aimed at fostering a cleaner community.
Neighbours described Emmanuel’s routine with a sense of admiration; he could be seen scouring the neighbourhood both at the early break of day and again in the evening. His actions reflect an unyielding commitment.
The reporter’s investigation revealed a remarkable family effort to collect discarded plastics, showcasing the incredible resilience and determination of Emmanuel and his loved ones.
At just 12 years old, Emmanuel takes on a significant role alongside his mother and younger sisters, aged 8 and 10, in this demanding endeavor aimed at making ends meet. With pride in his voice, Emmanuel, a student in Junior Secondary School 2 (JSS 2), expressed his strong connection to his roots in Edo State, saying, “My mum also picks plastics.”
The reporter saw some marks on his body but he refused to talk about it in spite of the reporter’s insistence on knowing the cause.
His motivation stems from a genuine desire to support his family financially and to help pay off a school debt of N150,000 that he and his siblings owe; a burden that has unfortunately stalled the release of his latest school results.
During an unexpected visit to Emmanuel’s modest home, the reporter was struck by the challenging circumstances that compel him to work tirelessly. A teacher at Emmanuel’s school, who craved anonymity, pointed out that he has struggled with attendance due to the financial strain on his family and is currently behind on his fees. “I sometimes don’t go to school anytime we owe,” Emmanuel said.
On another afternoon, Emmanuel was seen with his two sisters aged eight and 10 on another voyage to the community to pick disused plastics. While the reporter was concerned about them, the trio was only excited with the stack of plastics the reporter had packed for them. “Thank you, sir, thank you, sir,” they said repeatedly as they packed the disused plastics.
The siblings’ situation reflects the troubling reality faced by numerous families across Nigeria, where children are often found sifting through garbage bins in search of recyclables when they are supposed to be in school. Emmanuel says he earns N1,000 for each full load of plastic bags he collects.
More children engage in plastics collection
Emmanuel and his siblings are not alone in the quest to support their parents. In another community in Ogun State, three spirited sisters—Deborah (17), Goodness (15), and Happiness (13)—have carved out their path to financial independence by collecting discarded plastics and PET bottles. Their new endeavour took them to a neighbouring area where they were spotted diligently gathering plastics during school hours.
On a sunny Tuesday afternoon, the children were bustling with energy and determination as they went about scavenging for empty plastic bottles.
Happiness, the youngest of the trio, was seen carrying a heavy bag filled to the brim with used PET bottles, her little frame straining under the weight. Meanwhile, her sisters were on their knees sifting through bushes, their eyes keenly searching for more plastics to add to their growing collection.
Deborah, the eldest, patiently explained their process, illuminating the teamwork that drives them. “We have been collecting plastics for a long time,” she said, her voice filled with pride.
“We do this for our brother, who shreds and supplies them to others. Since we can’t collect enough on our own, my brother also sources from other collectors at N70 per kilo.
“You would not believe how much he manages to gather from various places.”
Her words painted a picture of their industrious family network, working together to turn what many consider waste into a valuable resource.
While some may view their endeavour unconventional, Deborah, who is also focused on preparing for her final secondary school exams, has a different perspective. “I don’t see anything strange about this work,” she remarked, her confidence shining through.
She emphasised the positive aspects of their efforts, highlighting how this vocation not only helps sustain their family but also cultivates their close bond as sisters.
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Reminded of the potential health risks associated with digging through trash, Deborah dismissed the concerns with unwavering confidence. “It is impossible; we cannot fall sick,” she declared, showcasing their resilience and fearlessness in the face of adversity.
Their proactive approach not only reflects their resourcefulness but also underscores their unwavering commitment to supporting their family through innovative and sustainable means.
A community resident noted that the three sisters have gained notoriety within the area due to their efforts. She speculated that Deborah’s decision to collaborate with her sisters serves as a protective strategy against potential threats from individuals with harmful intentions.
The sisters openly express their enthusiasm for collecting plastic materials, yet they experience frustration with their limited capacity to gather as many items as they desire.
According to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Nigeria generates approximately 2.5 million tons of plastic waste annually, ranking ninth in the world for contributions to plastic pollution. Alarmingly, over 88 per cent of this plastic waste is not recycled.
In another part of Ogun State, at about 9 am on a Wednesday morning, while their peers were attending school, a group of children aged between seven and 12 were seen diligently sorting through discarded plastics in front of a popular supermarket, not far from the bus stop.
Asked about their absence from school, the children initially darted away from the towering heap of discarded plastics only to return after some gentle encouragement, expressing a mix of hesitation and resolve and ready to share their story.
The eldest of them, standing tall in spite of his circumstances, stated with bravery: “We were sent out of school because our parents could not pay our fees. We have to focus on surviving before thinking about school.”
The reporter later found out that they were cousins bound not just by family ties but by struggle for survival.
Another school-age scavenger for disused plastics, Fawas, a 14-year-old Primary Six pupil, whose weary eyes revealed the weight of his experiences, said he had been asked repeat the same class multiple times as his dream of education is dimmed by the harsh realities of life.
Communicating in English was difficult for Fawas. He expressed a fading hope of finding a new school that might offer him a fresh start as he feared that he could yet repeat a class.
Accompanying Fawas was his younger sister, 12-year-old Halia, who collects discarded plastics alongside him.
With a gesture signifying a mixture of concern and admiration, she said “he has repeated a class many times,” clearly feeling the burden of her brother’s struggles.
Solomon, who was part of the group, presented a contrasting picture. At just 12 years, he spoke impeccable English; a bright light in an otherwise grim situation. He confidently told the reporter that he was doing well in his studies.
Despite her age, Halia found herself still navigating the difficulties of Primary 5, her educational journey stymied by the relentless grip of poverty.
The children explained that for each bag of plastics they collected, they earned approximately N1,000. However, their business was far from stable. Many days, they scoured their surroundings only to come back empty-handed. When their earnings were scarce, they pooled together whatever little money they could gather, sharing it among themselves like a close-knit family bound by hardship yet united in resilience.
“We earn about N3,000 every week as a group,” Fawas said, a hint of pride in his voice.
“Sometimes, when we pool our resources together, we collectively bring in N3,000, and we share it amongst ourselves,” Halia added, her eyes sparkling with determination, that she utilizes her earnings from the thriving plastic business to purchase books for her studies, although she also receives contributions from her mother.
“Nobody is forcing us to take on this work; we chose to do it because we refused to sit idly at home while there are opportunities to earn,” she explained.
When the reporter raised concerns about the possibility of their jobs distracting them from their education, the group stood firm in their belief. “Our work doesn’t interfere with our studies at all,” they insisted, determined to prove the balance they maintain.
Fawas dismissed any worries about the long distance they trek daily and its possible effect on their health. “We don’t fall sick,” he said. “And if we notice any sign of fatigue, we take paracetamol and we are okay.”
A few days later, Solomon and Fawas again came to the neighbourhood to pick disused plastics. Sighting the reporter, they prostrated, chorusing “thank you, sir, thank you, sir” in appreciation of being introduced to another neighbour from where they got some disused plastic bottles.
Curious, the reporter sought to know what they do with the proceeds of their sales. To this, Fawas said: “We made three thousand, we gave others N1000 while Solomon and I shared the remaining N2,000 equally.
“I usually give my mum whatever I make to support her. Solomon does likewise.
“My mum picks plastics too and adds whatever she makes to what I give her. That is how we roll.”
Investigation revealed that until Fawas’s father left home, he was doing very well as a professional diver. Things, however, took a new turn for Fawas and his siblings when his dad moved out of the house after taking another wife.
Since then, things have been difficult as the burden of taking care of the family fell on the shoulders of Fawas’s mother. The petty job she was doing could not sustain them. Hence Fawas and his siblings had no choice but to support the family through the menial job while education promptly took the back seat.
As Emmanuel, Solomon and Alia engaged in picking plastics, 13-year-old Mary was also seen energetically gathering thrift contributions for her mother in a bustling mechanic’s workshop. This was just one of the many stops on her daily after-school route, illustrating her commitment to helping her family.
Currently in JSS2, Mary has been diligently assisting her mother with thrift collection since she was only 11 years old.
Confusion was written all over her face as the reporter teased her with a threat to report her mother for child abuse. “If stop doing this for my mother, who is going to help her? My earnings are part of the money she uses in paying my school fees,” she said.
“And each time I manage to bring back more money from customers, I get some tips. I take great pride in this job, and I truly enjoy doing it.”
She confidently asserted that her responsibilities do not impede her academic performance, although she candidly acknowledged that fatigue sometimes makes it difficult for her to complete her homework on time.
The atmosphere of the conversation grew tense when the reporter told Mary’s mother that saddling her daughter with such a responsibility was inappropriate. “What role does the government play in my child’s contributions to our family?” she queried.
“Are they supporting him financially or facilitating his education? If they cannot assist us in any meaningful way, I think they should allow us to manage our situation.
Travails of children in menial jobs
The alarming rise in the number of children in menial jobs sheds light on a profound and troubling issue with the economy.
For Favour, another nine-year-old child, the opportunity of a proper education is slowly slipping through her fingers. Each day, she dutifully helps her “mum” to sell food in their community.
The reporter encountered her in a bustling area where she was diligently collecting empty plates after delivering meals to her customers earlier in the day.
Favour, brought to Nigeria from the Republic of Benin, lives with her guardian who she affectionately calls Mummy, having cared for her from her childhood.
Favour said she was once enrolled in school with a bright future ahead of her until financial difficulties forced an interruption.
She said: “I was attending school until recently when it became too difficult for my mother to pay the school fees.
“Since then, I have been helping her by delivering food to her customers in the morning and returning in the evening to collect the plates.”
Despite her dedication to assisting Mummy, Favour now feels uncertain about her ability to return to school even if Mummy is willing to support her education once again. “Once I reach JSS 1, I plan to learn a trade,” she said, her eyes reflecting a mix of hope and resignation.
The environment that Favour navigates daily presents numerous challenges to her learning and growth. A concerned neighbour told the reporter that Mummy wakes Favour up at 5 am daily to help with cooking and household chores. “After that, she begins her deliveries to customers in the morning.
“The relentless routine continues throughout the afternoon, and in the evening, she returns to gather the empty plates.”
While many children assert that they focus diligently on their responsibilities, investigation revealed that this may not correlate with their actual academic performance.
An investigation carried out by the reporter revealed that out of 12 children, only four were truly excelling in school.
In conversations with one of the groups of kid scavengers, Solomon was exceptional. He conversed intelligently, and spoke with confidence.
Despite their young age, the girls express a sense of security when walking in groups, believing that being together diminishes their vulnerability to harassment.
Unfortunately, many of these young individuals find themselves drawn into menial jobs, which significantly hamper their chances of receiving proper education.
However, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) firmly emphasizes that every child possesses the undeniable right to education, and any barrier preventing access to that education is a serious violation of those rights.
Stakeholders express concerns
Olu Ebube Akalonu, a passionate school teacher, speaking with The Nation, articulated her deep concern about the deteriorating economic climate, which she believes has significantly worsened, particularly since the previous year.
“Basic commodity prices have skyrocketed, making it nearly impossible for even middle-class families to afford essential items,” she noted.
Akalonu warned that when students are compelled to take on these low-paying jobs, they lose precious time that should be devoted to studying and recuperating after a long day at school. “When children fail to study, they are destined to fail,” she emphasizes, her eyes reflecting the weight of her conviction.
She highlights a distressing shift in attitude among students, who no longer perceive school as a pathway to academic achievement; instead, “it has become merely a tedious obligation, stripping away the joy and wonder of learning.
“The lower class is now forced to work twice as hard just to survive, and regrettably, their children must also step in to alleviate the family’s financial burden. Collecting plastic bottles for paltry earnings has transformed into a vital survival strategy,” she explains, her tone filled with compassion for these young souls.
Akalonu considers this reality utterly unacceptable, arguing passionately that school-aged children should not be forced to carry the heavy burdens of menial work. “This crisis exceeds individual control; for true change to occur, we must demand decisive action from our government,” she insists.
Pius Julius, another concerned observer, echoes her sentiments and adds that many school-aged children now feel an overwhelming obligation to support their families because their parents simply cannot manage alone. “Helping one’s parents is a deeply ingrained cultural practice; previously, it was common for children to hawk goods or assist on family farms,” he explains, reminiscing about the past.
However, he cautions against exaggerating the narrative around children engaged in menial jobs.
Julius also expresses his alarm about the exploitation of these children. “They are being exploited by third parties; the meager compensation they receive hardly reflects the effort they put in,” he points out, his brow furrowed with concern.
Yet, Akalonu challenges Julius’s perspective with unwavering conviction, emphasizing that the issue of school-aged children working menial jobs transcends cultural norms. “This is an urgent concern because each child forced out of school contributes to the further decline of our economy. We must become a society that prioritises and nurtures educated youth,” she concludes, her voice ringing with determination.
Who takes the blame?
Sola Ewetomi, another concerned neighbour of one of the children, observed that these children venture into various neighborhoods as early as 5 am to collect plastics for recycling.
“It’s perplexing how responsible parents could send their children out at such an unreasonably early hour to scavenge for plastics.
“Their health is at risk, and it’s utterly unacceptable for children to be wandering the streets without facing any consequences,” he said.
But Francis Emeka, another neighbour, passionately defended the parents, arguing that they should not bear the blame.
“The mother, who serves as the family’s primary breadwinner, is stretched beyond her limits and cannot manage the household alone.
“I know their situation well. The family cannot function without the invaluable support of the children,” he said, offering a glimpse into the harsh realities these families face.
Investigation unveiled the stark truth that countless households are grappling with severe economic struggles, making it nearly impossible for families to survive without the contributions of their children. In these desperate circumstances, children have become essential pillars of support, carrying responsibilities far heavier than their tender ages would suggest.
Beyond financial gains
In the process of engaging in the voyage of picking disused plastics, these children are confronted with hazards that could be costly.
While the children engaged in collecting discarded plastics often find moments of joy in their efforts, the meager financial gains they ultimately receive does not justify the huge labour they invest. The task of filling a bag with plastics is by no means a simple chore; it is often an arduous and time-consuming endeavour, frequently resulting in a mere N1,000 after countless hours of toil.
The risks associated with collecting plastic waste can be significant and costly. If precautions are not taken, children participating in this activity could be mistaken for petty thieves.
For instance, a recent incident in Abule-Egba nearly ended in tragedy for a 14-year-old boy who went to collect discarded plastics.
The boy was drawn to a waste bin inside a building, and prior to his arrival; a generator had been stolen from that location. Instead of inquiring about his presence, the people there assumed he was there to steal and beat him severely. It was only later that the residents realised he was not a thief after all.
Tunde Adebanjo, a seasoned plastic dealer, illuminated the harsh realities these young workers face: “At times, it takes days and extensive treks to gather these plastics. It requires not just physical effort but also remarkable resilience.”
Many of these children embark on long journeys, sometimes traveling up to 10 kilometres in search of recyclable materials. This pursuit subjects them to various risks, including potential health hazards that often go unnoticed.
Adebanjo further explained: “Some children may feel fine and believe they aren’t ill, but they are often under considerable stress from their lengthy walks and may be exposed to harmful emissions from the waste they handle.”
Interestingly, while research indicates that no direct correlation has been firmly established between the children’s collection activities and health issues, a troubling trend arises from their lack of access to adequate medical care when illness strikes. Parents of these children frequently forgo seeking treatment at private hospitals, complicating the ability to fully understand the health impacts related to their work.
The risks extend beyond health concerns; dangers also lurk in the form of sharp objects and broken bottles scattered across their collection areas.
Recently, a glimpse of childhood innocence pierced through the grim realities when Fawas was spotted playfully teasing Solomon who while diligently collecting items mistakenly picked feaces that accompanied a pack of PET bottles.
This lighthearted moment serves as a poignant reminder of the innocence that exists amidst their challenging circumstances.
Scavengers at risk of ill-health
Retired nurse, Alhaja Funmi Gbadamosi, highlighted the necessity of addressing the health risks associated with rummaging through dustbins for discarded plastics. She outlined several potential hazards and recommended strategies to mitigate them.
According to her, the sharp edges of broken plastics, glass or metal can inflict painful cuts and injuries. She said it is vital to educate children about the dangers of handling such hazardous materials and to encourage safer practices to protect them.
She also warned that by sifting through dustbins, the children are prone to infection.
She said: “The waste these children sift through can harbour bacteria, viruses, and various micro-organisms, increasing the risk of infections.
“Teaching proper hygiene practices, such as thoroughly washing hands after any contact with waste, can significantly reduce this risk.”
Gbadamosi added that contact with dustbins can trigger allergic reactions in certain individuals.
“Raising awareness about common allergens and promoting the use of protective gear, including gloves, can help mitigate these health concerns,” she said.
She noted that those who are exposed to waste also risk respiratory health challenges.
“Inhaling dust, particules and harmful chemicals emanating from waste can exacerbate respiratory issues, particularly for those with pre-existing conditions like asthma.
“Advocacy for cleaner environments and efforts to minimise exposure to hazardous waste can enhance overall respiratory health,” she said.
Unknown to many, plastics can leach dangerous substances such as BPA and phthalates, which pose serious health risks.
She also warned that the task of scavenging through dustbins can be psychologically distressing and unpleasant, but providing emotional support and resources for individuals grappling with the trauma associated with waste management can foster a healthier emotional environment.
“By collectively addressing these health concerns and implementing supportive measures, we can strive to create a safer, healthier and more compassionate community for our children and families,” the retired nurse concluded.
