The Migrant Children of China
Drawn by Patrik Z.
This is an era where people across the world can communicate with each other instantly. Where men and women travel across the globe in mere hours. Where economies boom and where powerful nations seek peace and prosperity. No country is a better demonstration than China, with its huge ports and exploding economy. Yet there is a dark side to this story, a side often left untold.
58 million children in China, under the age of 18, are called, "Left-behind kids". 23 million of these are under the age of five (Xinhua. "Left-behind kids a 'Bleeding Wound'"). To put it into another perspective, that's 21% of all the children in China. These kids live in rural areas without basic infrastructure or care. Often, both parents would be away from the village, working in a distant city. These migrant families rarely have any chance of getting together. The parents work interminable hours just to survive, and sometimes are not even paid. More than half of these children live with their grandparents, relatives, friends, or even by themselves without adult care. Older siblings must also take care of the younger ones by themselves, without any help from their parents. Some migrant children are brought along with their parents to cities, but face much discrimination there.
58 million children in China, under the age of 18, are called, "Left-behind kids". 23 million of these are under the age of five (Xinhua. "Left-behind kids a 'Bleeding Wound'"). To put it into another perspective, that's 21% of all the children in China. These kids live in rural areas without basic infrastructure or care. Often, both parents would be away from the village, working in a distant city. These migrant families rarely have any chance of getting together. The parents work interminable hours just to survive, and sometimes are not even paid. More than half of these children live with their grandparents, relatives, friends, or even by themselves without adult care. Older siblings must also take care of the younger ones by themselves, without any help from their parents. Some migrant children are brought along with their parents to cities, but face much discrimination there.
It's time for the world to know.
It's time to save over 58 million migrant children.
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- Courtesy of The Team
- Courtesy of The Team