Poverty has forced children to work on the streets to help their families
BAGHDAD, 12 June 2007 (IRIN) - Iyad Abdel-Salim, 12, left school six months ago and has been working to boost the family income. His father was killed in Iraq’s political violence. As the only boy in the family, and with three smaller sisters to look after, he was forced to go onto the streets and work.
“I cannot see my family suffer without food. My mother cannot go to work because she has to stay with my sisters, and our uncles cannot help us as they are displaced and without money,” Abdel-Salim said.
“I feel tired when I get home. I usually stay 12 hours in the streets selling chocolates and pencils. I eat just one meal a day to save money, and when I return I just want to sleep,” he said.
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