By Maria Garcia | Project Leader
There is a reality in San Cristóbal de las Casas and in many other places in Mexico and the world where children work to contribute to the family income, without a doubt, the first thing that must be guaranteed is the rights of children, the identity , education, health, family, etc., however, we cannot close our eyes to the inequality that exists in the world, which forces the whole family to work.
As a society, we have the responsibility to collaborate in various ways in order for there to be a more equitable distribution of wealth, but while that happens, we can create dignified and safe work spaces for children to work together with their families and trusted people.
Melel Xojobal accompanies training processes for the promotion of children's rights, but an unwritten right to which they refer is: Decent work, but what is it to work with dignity for the indigenous children of San Cristóbal?
"Decent work is not carrying heavy things, playing, studying, I work to earn money, buy my school supplies, to buy a place, to buy my food, clothes, if I don't work I can't help my family, if they take away our work that the government gives us our fortnight.” – Héctor, child worker at the Merposur market.
During these months we have approached the subject in an artistic way with them, creating songs so that they can express what they feel, why they work and their identity.
In the following internet links you can find videos, with English subtitles, so that you can learn more about the spaces and the direct work:
Song for children and adolescents from the Merposur food market: https://youtu.be/s0eoRJixmPk
Song for girls, boys and adolescents from the craft market in Plaza Catedral: https://youtu.be/Ym_k8mVmoLM
Song for girls, boys and adolescents from the Santo Domingo craft market: https://youtu.be/GsLSFpbEfvY
We invite you to follow us on our social networks @melelxojobal and learn much more about our work.
On behalf of the entire Melel Xojobal team, we appreciate your constant solidarity for this project and we hope to continue counting on it, rest assured that it is correctly distributed among the population served.
Greetings to you and yours.
Thank you.
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