Working Children in Malacca

Asia has a knack for teaching their children the responsibility to work.  I say a knack, because I think in the states, we have fallen off the wagon on that one.  A lot of our children 'play' computer games, video games and watch tv instead of putting in a good solid day's work - and as parents, we think it is quite acceptable.  In Asia, you often see the children working side by side with the parents, and sometimes you see them working on their own.  

The first day we went out, these two children were selling candy by themselves.  The little brother was breaking it up, and the little girl was dipping it in the crunchies, putting it in a container and selling it. 

Selling it included handling the money and making change.

The following day, we went by the same area, and the dad was outside with them.  Dad was breaking the candy with a hand tool and son was packing the candy up.  The candy was quite solid - like peanut brittle.

The children were quite on task about what they were doing with no 'child's play' involved.  They took their jobs seriously - as if their lives depended on it.  Quite honestly, they might indeed depend on it - that is probably how their family makes their living to get food on the table.

I stood back and watched in amazement for quite some time.  I did see the children smile, though I didn't get a picture of it.  I was too busy just watching how efficiently they worked together as a team and how closely knit the family seemed to be.  I was not the only one watching in amazement, there were others around as well.  If you will scroll up through the pictures, you will see a man doing the same.  We were all pretty darned impressed with the children.  I am sure the parents are quite proud of them.  I certainly was!  They learning good life habits and work ethics  :-)

What are your children doing right now?