Ei’s story | Hunger and Child Labour

In Myanmar, where 14-year-old Ei lives, a combination of conflict and climate change has made life very difficult. Having enough food to eat has been a constant worry for Ei and her mother, Daw Aye Aye Mya, as well as most of the people in her community. Parents are unable to send their children to school because they are struggling to make ends meet. When Ei’s father died, life became even more difficult, leaving her mother to support the family alone. Work is scarce, and even when it’s available, doesn’t pay enough to support the family’s needs.  

When Ei was younger, her mother struggled a lot and had no other choice but to pull Ei out of school to help her with work.  

“Back then we faced many difficulties. My mother worked as a laundry woman. My mother and I had to deliver clothes and collect money at night since my mother had to do laundry all day,” explained Ei.  

“I still remember those times very vividly. My mother carried me on her back at night delivering laundry to many houses. There were always dogs chasing us and my mom gave me rocks so I could throw them to scare off the dogs when they try to come and bite us,” added Ei.  

But Ei wasn’t alone. Many other children in her community had to work as well because their families also couldn’t afford to eat three meals a day. Some made the decision themselves to drop out of school to work instead.  

“Some children collect bottles in the street, some work in a garment factory, and others work in a restaurant. Some boys work in masonries and some girls choose to work as maids.” Eli added.  

A few years ago, Ei and her mother were able to access nutritional and financial support from World Vision, and it helped them transform their lives.    

“My daughter didn’t eat healthily before due to our struggle, so she was small and very skinny. Her lack of nutrition had caused her to become extremely thin, which devastated me,” said Daw Aye Aye Mya.  

“With the knowledge I have learned from World Vision, I was able to cook healthy for my daughter. She’s now eating three meals a day and thriving.  She grew a lot during these past years; she’s even taller than me, and she is beautiful now, not skinny like before, and she can easily study her lessons very well,” her mother added.  

Through the support of World Vision programmes in Myanmar, Ei has learned that nutritious and healthy food is important for children’s growth and development.  

 “If we eat healthy food our brains and bodies can develop much better which means we will be able to chase our dreams properly,” concluded Ei.