Children in the Quarry

Overbearing in their uniforms and stance and as usual abusing their power were the managers of the pits. Always sullen with no expression and attempting to intimidate. Entering the quarry was always challenging. Often the car would be searched. Never did know what they were looking for. As they searched I waited to one side watching the expressionless faces of the small children as they sat in the dry dust and chipped away with a sharpened mallet at the stone. The sullen guards rarely spoke to me, just shouted orders to the men searching the car. Round and round they went determined to find something in order to obtain a "dash" (bribe) or stop me entering altogether and turn me around to try again another day.

Children as young as 4 years started early, before sunrise and school, to earn a few Naira to feed their families. Some never went to school preferring to earn the few pennies in order to have a daily meal. It was a long day for those that survived the day, sunrise to sunset. Filthy and working with no facial mask constantly engulfed in clouds of dust these children never waivered and never stopped. Boys and girls carried out this labour.

The dangers were immense. Many children died under a landslide or suffered at the very least horrible injuries, some of which disabled them for life. Flying fragments from the hammering flew into eyes and blinded them, others broke limbs from falling from great heights on unstable ground, not to mention the lung disorders they would suffer as adults from the working environment.

No health and safety practices. No environmental health. No protective clothing. No minimum wage. No working time agreements. No laws.

When my colleagues and I visited we just delivered water and food. The children knew why we came and flocked to the car, helped us unpack and tucked into the food and beverages. For many this was their first smile and break of the day and, for some the week. At the school we opened we lost several children to accidents in the quarry.

On my return, weak hot milky tea was waiting for me made by a student to revive and refresh me.