Child labor and lack of education are prevailing issues, we can reduce them through technology

Pakistan is an under developed country. According to Asian development bank (ADB), it has been estimated that, 24.3% of the population of Pakistan lives below the national poverty line.

Within an environment of such scarcity, it is very difficult for families to care about the education of the young. I think it is the duty of the privileged like us to contribute towards the education of the society. We don’t have to start big nation wide projects. A valuable lesson or skill taught to an individual can also do the wonders.

I visited a local restaurant, there I met three boys, who were working as waiters. They working routine was very harsh, and their working environment was very unhygienic. I broken my heart to see them work there. They arrive at their work at 6 AM, and work their till 4 PM. Their working hours are long and they are underpaid.

I, as a food technologist, talked with the honor. I taught him about the basic hygiene at his work place and how this practice is connected with his business success. After taking his permission, I conducted half an hour training with be boys and other work force. I taught them about Good Hygiene Practices (GHPs) and how they can make them their habit.

I also taught them about their worker rights, and how they are given to them by government. I taught them that if their employer doesn’t listen to them, they can call me and I will talk to him.

I also told them, soon I will visit their home and talk to their parents. I will tell them why they should educate their child and they it is important for their future and the future of their child as well.

I learn from this experience that solving such prevailing issues, such as child labor is not a easy task. When you start looking around, you feel helpless. Poverty is so wide spread in our society, we will not be able to eliminate it, even in decades. However, we can take some small step on individual basis. As rain drops can fill a dam, I hope through these small actions, we will be able to see huge impacts.