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Cover Story

Cover Story - Spanish Version

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Comprehension Quiz

Teacher's Guide and Worksheets

Can India Save its Working Kids?

Spanish Translation

Haldiram's restaurant, in New Delhi, India, is crowded. Happy families enjoy dinner at large tables. At smaller tables sit girls called ayahs. They are the children's nannies. These girls are not much older than the kids they care for. The ayahs make very little money.

In India, putting children to work as maids and servants is a way of life. It is also against the law. Girls and boys do a variety of household chores. They also work in tea shops, hotels and restaurants. Working kids do not go to school.

The Indian government has a law that prohibits children under age 14 from working in dangerous jobs. In 2006, leaders added a ban on jobs in hotels, restaurants and homes. An Indian government agency estimates that nearly 13 million children under age 14 are working in India. But the real number may be between 75 and 90 million.

The ban was a "positive step forward," says Farida Lambay, a children's rights worker. But many kids work to survive. The poor can't afford to send their kids to school.

A Helping Hand

Kailash Satyarthi (kay-lash suth-yar-thee) has rescued more than 67,000 child workers. He has built three centers that teach the kids important life skills. Hundreds of these former laborers have become champions for change in their communities.

Satyarthi has also spoken to Indian officials and world leaders. Indian businesses are realizing that the country's future lies in educating its youth. One large company has set up 10,000 libraries in rural areas across the country. Another will help pay for 7,500 schools. Changes such as these will bring about a future where all children will work side by sideoin school.

Next: A Very Late Bloomer