Children At Work: Vallu's Journey

Children At Work

• Two children, Vallu (approximately 11) and an unnamed girl (also approximately 11), are featured in the story.
• Vallu is a runaway from his village, seeking a new life in Chennai. He travels to Chennai by train, without a ticket, and arrives exhausted and hungry.
• The girl is collecting plastic cups from the ground and placing them in a sack. She understands the circumstances of runaways like Vallu and is aware of the challenges children face.
• Vallu’s father is a drunkard and takes all the money Vallu and his siblings earn. Vallu ran away because he no longer wanted to be beaten.
• The girl, noticing Vallu's hunger, offers to find him food; Vallu agrees to follow her.
• They navigate the busy, chaotic streets of Chennai, and Vallu is overwhelmed by the sights and sounds.
• The girl points out a large building ("Central Jail") warning Vallu about the dangers of the city and the consequences of carelessness.
• The girl collects bottles, papers, and other items from the streets to sell. She carries them in a sack.
• Vallu, curious, asks about the sack's contents, and understands that she is collecting materials for sale, potentially at a place called Jam Bazaar.
• This encounter occurs in the midday sun.
• The girl brings Vallu to an adorned building (possibly a wedding venue), collecting a rose from its decorations.
• She takes him to a overflowing garbage bin, finds a banana peel, and offers it as his meal.
• Vallu refuses the food, seemingly too proud to accept it from a trash-littered bin.

The Story of Valu

• Valu, a young boy, is stranded and without resources in the city of Chennai.
• He encounters Jay, a girl who scavenges and collects waste to sell.
• Jay explains that she collects garbage to support her family's needs and their way of life.
• Valu is hesitant about joining Jay, but his hunger compels him eventually, recognizing the need to eat.
• Vallu initially was confused about why Jay is collecting waste but understands the necessity of Jay’s role. He may learn more about the city through this experience.

Discussion of Children who Collect Garbage

• The story reveals children forced to collect garbage as a means of survival.
• It depicts the struggle that children face due to poverty and work.
• authors (Geeta Wolf, Ravi Shankar, and Ajit Singh) aim to highlight to children the difficulties faced by those who collect garbage.
• The actions of these children are driven by necessity; it is not a chosen lifestyle.
• These children are compelled to earn money for their families.