“Rabat”, # 49, 05/12/2007
E. Boyarshinova

   All the best - to children. What could be better than love and understanding? Fulfillment of the dreams of a child or simply work “is a daily case”? A child should have a happy life, sometimes even when there is loss, at least the care of their daily bread, and some measure a life? Childhoods are different, and it often depends on the parents...

   In the lobby of the secondary school number 64 are lines of children in improvised costumes in various colors and designs. In the main hall is the main event: the young designers of the fifteen urban schools compete in the ability to display themselves and their fashions. Style - a passion of many girls.
   Marzhan draws upon Japan. Moreover, that girl is learning the Japanese language, customs, and traditions of the country of the rising sun, and has constructed various types of kimonos. They represent her vision of Japanese women's everyday dress, hold a tea ceremony, and exhibits in the foyer of a Japanese booth, decorated with flowering branches.
   “Time is really not enough,” comments the girl in the Japanese style, “The school's favorite sport and who wants to pay more attention. It is a pity that in the days of 24 there is not more time.”
   Marzhan’s parents did not approve of her interest to Japan, but wondered how with such diligence their daughter could say the unutterable Japanese words. Then, upon being satisfied as to the seriousness of her intentions, they helped her in every possible way.
   “Sewing basics, of course, my mother taught me. How to create the belt, with traditional Japanese pillow at waist”, tells Marzhan.
   Her mother was her chief adviser and a harsh judge of each new creation of her daughter’s.
   “The Japanese style kimono is impossible to remake,” explains the girl, “One can improve and complicate the details infinitely.”
   Maybe when Marzhan grows up her models will no longer walk down the school hall, but on a professional catwalk, and enterprising Japanese will appreciate her new creation of a the kimono ...
   In the main hall things heat up. There are competitive rounds. There are tears and speeches because of the failures, in the view of participants. And sincere celebration after applause. Strict jury hands out awards! They agree, and the parents shift nervously at the door of the Hall Institute. The creative fashion required so much work, inspiration, and love that nothing is left not assessed.
   To the question “Who do we believe in?”, parents meet with the chorus: “Our Children!” “I would like to extend my daughter's childhood, which I remember by her sweet, colorful, festiveness,” said the mother Kira, “To me that is the goal. While they are still children, they have their own ambitions ... Of course, we in the family will make every effort for her dreams to be fulfilled. And if they don’t work out a new dream will come and we will also work for that too…”
   Thousands of city kids are involved in different groups and sections. Of course, many parents are unable to help, such as fees for training for elite sports or exotic dancing. Many can not afford to buy appropriate shoes and clothes and feed their children chocolate and burgers. But to give children a good, comfortable, and unemployed childhood, does not require special material costs. We need love and respect. Many parents did not hear about the convention on the Rights of the Child, but the installation of a happy childhood lies in the heart.

   13 year old Marina has parents whose opinion about a happy childhood radically opposite view of parents of young Couturier.
   Marina works. At seven, and even at six o'clock in the morning, whatever the weather, her mother sends her to sweep. So early that she won’t be late for school. But Marina is still late, because her mother agreed to sweep another house and now the girl was responsible for the cleanliness of the three houses. And when she gets to school she is so tired and wants to sleep. After classes she has to look after two younger brothers. Her mother and father get occasional earnings. But in the morning, when the Marina clears yards, her parents can always be reached at home. “Am I a horse or what? I have to eat, cook, wash too,” lazy eyed mother of Marina said, “A happy childhood, is work. Let her work! Here is her happiness.” “What are we violating? Convention on the Rights of the Child?” the concerned father's face emerges in the doorway, “Who else will feed Marina? You?” That's the whole answer ...
   Erzhan and Bagiloy do not attend school at all. The children are with their parents throughout the year working in the cotton field: weeding, loosing, collecting. It is all the brother and sister have been able to do in their ten years of existence in this world. Reading and writing, they have mastered. “They work because the family needed money,” declares the head of the family, “What do they need school?” When asked about the children, and the children's dreams, their workaholic dad said, “What are dreams?”
   And their children really do not have a childhood. They will not then, have sweet memories. The young work-worn hands full of salty tears of fatigue ...
   NGO “Sana Sezim” works for children with a lost childhood. “The existence of child labor is so obvious in the minds of adults, that often they do not pay attention to the children behind the counter and washing cars. We are outraged only by the small beggars asking for pennies from passerbyers,” said Shahlo Yusupzhanova, program coordinator at NGO “Sana Sezim”, “For us, child labor has become somewhat commonplace. Remember cotton campaign during Soviet times? This resort can be compared with the magnitude of child labor today. School children do not have enough time for basic training, let alone games and entertainment. Rural children work on plantations almost all year round. The city has a better picture, but not great. And most parents, the exploiters, take their children for granted. Most of all I am struck by how one mother had a statement, “What are the Rights of the Child! They have responsibilities. I gave him life, so they oblige me with their lives ...”
   Children working. They work hard. A happy childhood is not reflected in this. They do not even suspect that in their lives something is wrong. They need to learn, play, and grow. But some adults do not pay attention to this.
   The results of the research of NGO “Sana Sezim” show an ambiguous attitude of the children themselves to work. Most of the respondents (64%) said of their work that they are not happy because it is hard physical work, and takes time from learning and entertainment. Far fewer working children find their work interesting and profitable. Motives for the employment of children in most cases due to shortage or lack of money: 50% of the children work to earn money for the family, where they are the sole breadwinner, 37% to help parents, and only 23% of earning money for themselves.