Child Labour
A play performed by Gathunguru Primary School, in Kenya
The following play was performed by school children, as part of the travelling theatre company, organized by ANPPCAN, with the support of IPEC. This, and other plays dramatised by the troupe, takes child labour as its overall theme, examining its causes, dangers and consequences on children. They perform the plays, travelling from village to village, in order to raise the awareness of the local community as to the issue of child labour. The play is then followed by a debate, in which audience and actors alike participate, and which often go on long after the play is over. The project also organizes workshops for teachers and district leaders, where action programs to combat child labour are discussed. The drama project has proved to be very successful in raising awareness and changing attitudes concerning child labour.
The Cast
|
Ndungu |
Father |
|
Nyambura |
Mother |
|
Kamata |
Son |
|
Kiune |
Son |
|
Nyakaria |
Daughter |
|
Wangui |
Daughter |
|
Kiraka |
Neighbour |
|
Wairimu |
Neighbour |
|
Paul |
Teacher |
|
Kimani |
Nyapara |
|
Nyokabi |
Visitor |
|
Chief |
Two silent actors |
Play Summary
Scene one
At Mr. Ndungu’s home the children have been sent home from school for lack of school fees, uniforms and books. Mr. Ndungu finds it difficult to meet these school requirements, let alone feed the children. He therefore decides that the children should discontinue schooling and instead seek casual work at the coffee estate.
Scene two
At the coffee farm Kimani Nyapara is seen harassing children, giving them a lot of work with torrents of insults.
Scene three
A visitor arrives at Mr. Ndungu’s home. She is from Nairobi and is searching for a maid. Mr. Ndungu decides to give her his daughter as a maid and instructs that the wages be paid directly to him.
Scene four
At Nyakobi’s house things are not O.K. Nyakaria is being abused since the work is too much for her and her employer is biased. Nyakaria decides to quit her job and go back home.
Scene five
At home Kiune, Kamata, Wangui are seen lamenting and Nyakaria arrives and narrates her ordeal.
Scene six
Wairama, Kiraka, Paul and the chief visit Mr. Ndungu and a hot discussion erupts on child labour.
Scene One
(At Mr. Ndungu’s home)
(The children rush in)
|
Kamata |
Mum! Mum! Are you there? |
|
Nyambura |
Yes, son! What happened, why are you not in school? |
|
Kamata |
We have been chased from school and until we finish paying the money we owe the school we shall not be allowed to go back. |
|
Nyambura |
Wait for your father, he is just about to come and he told me he was going to look for some money. I am going out shortly and will be coming back. |
(She leaves the sitting room and then suddenly there is a knock on the door)
|
Nyakaria |
Come in! |
|
Ndungu |
(Entering with a visitor, Mr. Kiraka) How are you my daughter and where is your mother? |
|
Nyakaria |
She has just gone out briefly, but she should be back any moment. |
|
Kamata |
Father we have been sent away from school due to lack of school fees, uniform and books. |
|
Ndungu |
Don’t worry son! I will see to it. (And then to Kiraka) My friend, you see how life is difficult? |
|
Kiraka |
For sure life is unbearable, but what do we do? Mine have also been sent away. |
|
Ndungu |
My friend, it is unbearable for me, I cannot both feed and educate them. I need help. |
|
Kiraka |
Why don’t you go and work at the coffee farm as a casual worker? |
|
Ndungu |
My health is not good and so I cannot do manual work. However, I know what I will do! |
|
Kiraka |
(curiously) Tell me what you plan to do! |
|
Ndungu |
My friend! My children are the ones to help me out and o they will have to work in the coffee estates as casuals. |
|
Nyambura |
(Walking in) Oh, Sorry for walking in suddenly, anyway how are you, Mr. Kiraka? |
|
Kiraka |
(standing up) Fine Mrs. Ndungu, you have just come in when I am leaving. |
|
Ndungu |
What is the hurry for? Please stay around, you might get something to eat since mama Nyambura is back. |
|
Kiraka |
(Leaving) No thanks my friend, maybe later. See you in the evening! |
(Ndungu and Nyamura together) See you, Mr. Kiraka.
|
Nyambura |
It’s good you came early. Have you seen the children? |
|
Ndungu |
Of course I have seen them. In fact I already know their problem for which I have a solution. |
|
Nyambura |
Good to hear that! But remember there is nothing to eat. Anyway, tell me about your solution. |
|
Ndungu |
(Shouting) Kamata! Kiune! and all of you, come here! |
(Children together) Yes father. (Hurrying in)
|
Nyambura |
Do not stand please. Let each of you sit down, |
| |
(The children sit down) |
|
Ndungu |
This is my strategy. Tomorrow all of you will have to go to work at Karangaiti coffee estate. |
| |
(The rest of the family, in shock) Oh! |
|
Nyambura |
But how? These are children, we need to send them back to school. |
|
Ndungu |
Unless you have the money on you to take them back, |
|
Nyambura |
You know well that I have nothing. |
|
Ndungu |
Then shut up! They will do what I say! |
|
Nyambura |
(Protesting) No! No! You cannot do that! That is destroying the future of our children. A future without education is a future without hope. |
|
Ndungu |
Listen, woman, this is hard choice for me, but I have no choice but to do so. |
|
Nyambura |
(Stubbornly) We can look for other alternatives. You and me can work at the coffee farm. |
|
Ndungu |
Look here, you know very well that is impossible. No matter how much we try, we still cannot make it. |
|
Kamata |
(Concerned) Please do not quarrel, we will help out. |
|
Nyakaria |
(Supporting) We agree to help. |
|
Ndungu |
Good! I think you understand that to pay fees, we don’t eat stones but food. |
|
Nyambura |
O.K. I agree, so children you will have to wake up very early to catch the lorry for the shamba. |
(Children together) Yes mother.
|
Ndungu |
I am going out but I will soon be back and remember to bring all the wages home. No one should misuse them. (Leaves) |
|
Nyambura |
Let me see what to do. (As she goes to the kitchen and the children leave the stage) |
Scene Two
(Children are seen working hard at the coffee farm)
|
Kimani |
Kamata! Kamata! |
|
Kamata |
Yes sir! |
|
Kimani |
Come here. |
|
Kamata |
(Rushing in ) Here I am. |
|
Kimani |
I told you I do not like this nonsense. |
|
Kamata |
What is it sir? |
|
Kimani |
Stupid! (Going after him as if to beat him) I don’t entertain lazy people in my shamba. |
|
Kamata |
But we are not lazy, don’t you see we are working hard? |
|
Kimani |
I am seeing nothing but a bunch of fools and idlers. |
|
Kamata |
What do you want us to do? |
|
Kimani |
Work faster and better. |
|
Kamata |
O.K. Let’s try. |
|
Kimani |
You are insulting me, child. Here there is no room for trying but work, and very hard work, to earn. |
|
Kamata |
Fine, we will work. |
|
Kimani |
You dog, tell the rest that I am not amused. |
|
Kamata |
(Shaking his head) But I am not a dog, sir. |
|
Kimani |
Then swine, donkey, bastard, name it… This is not school, so don’t complain and work or I will whip you. |
(Kamata runs away and the other children shake their heads in silence)
Scene Three
(At Mr. Ndungu’s home)
(Knock at the door)
|
Nyambura |
Come in. (She opens the door) |
|
Nyokabi |
How are you, Mrs… |
|
Nyambura |
(Cutting her short) Mrs. Ndungu. How can I help you? |
|
Nyokabi |
Well, may I come in? |
|
Nyambura |
O.K. I’m sorry, forgive me. I didn’t mean to be rude. |
|
Nyokabi |
Thank you. It’s O.K. I do understand, one can be a bit busy and forget so many things. |
|
Nyambura |
(Sitting) Well, I do not know you but how can I help you? |
|
Nyokabi |
I’m Nyokabi. I live in Nairobi and I’m looking for a house girl. I do not know if you can be of any help. |
|
Nyambura |
(Nodding her head) Oh, I see. I am not sure, though I do have a girl who is still in school. In a moment she will be home. |
|
Ndungu |
(coming in) Alas? We have a visitor- how are you madam? |
|
Nyambura |
Ndungu, this is Nyokabi from Mairobi. She is looking for a house girl. |
|
Ndungu |
Good! She came to the right place and at the right moment. |
|
Nyambura |
You mean you want to give her one of our daughters? |
|
Ndungu |
Of course! Nyakaria will do fine, she is now a big girl. |
|
Nyambura |
But what about the school? |
|
Ndungu |
Yes, when we have enough money, then she can go back to school. |
|
Nyokabi |
I promise to pay her well and on time. |
|
Ndungu |
That is very kind. But remember, all payments should be made to me. |
|
Nyokabi |
Don’t worry. She won’t touch even a single shilling because I will provide her with everything she needs and send her wages directly home. |
|
Nyambura |
Nyokabi, you will have to wait because she went to work at the coffee farm. |
|
Nyokabi |
No problem, I can wait. |
(Suddenly the children enter looking tired and hungry. They greet their parents and the visitor.)
|
Ndungu |
Nyakaria! |
|
Nyakaria |
Yes, father. |
|
Ndungu |
You can sit, and the others can go and have a rest. |
(The children leave)
|
Nyakaria |
What is it father? |
|
Ndungu |
First, where is the money you worked for today? |
|
Nyakaria |
Kamata has all the money we worked for today. |
|
Ndungu |
Good! Now prepare yourself to leave with this visitor in order to go and work for her. |
|
Nyakaria |
But father, I do not… |
|
Ndungu |
Shut up! What I say is final. Do as I say, is that clear? |
|
Nyakaria |
Yes, father. |
|
Ndungu |
Good! Go and wash then change, you will have fun working in the city, its not like the shambas. |
(Nyakaria leaves quietly, but unhappily. Her mother follows her, then Ndungu excuses himself and leaves. Then Nyakaria, mother and the other children reappear to send Nyakaria on her way, with Nyokabi)
Scene Four
(At Mr. Ndungu’s home)
|
Nyokabi |
Nyakaria! Nyakaria! |
|
Nyakaria |
Yes, Madam. |
|
Nyokabi |
You fool, come here! |
|
Nyakaria |
What have I done? |
|
Nyokabi |
Don’t ask me what you have done as if you have done something. |
|
Nyakaria |
But why are you angry? |
|
Nyokabi |
I don’t pay your parents for you to sleep and eat. |
|
Nyakaria |
But I do work for you. |
|
Nyokabi |
Look at the floor, look at this furniture, look at the house! (Pause)
Filthy, yet you are here to work! |
|
Nyakaria |
But I have to do one thing at a time! |
|
Nyokabi |
You fool, Shut up! (Angry) I will beat you! |
|
Nyakaria |
Give me time, I will finish all. |
|
Nyokabi |
Time! Time! Are you crazy? You are just a whore like your mother. |
|
Nyakaria |
Why do you abuse me, Madam? |
|
Nyokabi |
Because I am the boss, I can do what I like to you. (Slapping her) Never talk back to me again, or I will kill you. |
|
Nyakaria |
(Sobbing) I have to leave! (Pause) I work so hard yet you seem not to see! (Pause) You beat me and insult me! |
|
Nyokabi |
Go! Go! Go! The way you are, do not touch anything you lazy dog, leave this house before I get mad! |
(Nyakaria leaves the house crying)
Scene Five
(At Mr. Ndungu’s home, the children are sitting in the room, Kamata with a bandage on his leg, Kiune with one on his hand and Wangui holding her head)
|
Wangui |
Ouch! My head is splitting. |
|
Kamata |
Do not worry, it is because of those debes of coffee you carried on your head. |
|
Kuine |
What of my arm? It hurts like hell. Kiamani the Nyapara almost killed me because I poured the coffee down, yet it was not intentional. |
|
Kamata |
That is life, brother. Look at my leg, I thought I won’t survive that accident we were involved in. Our lorry driver was drunk, and the way he was driving! |
|
Wangui |
Do not mention it, brother. I’m scared at the way we children are treated. |
(Suddenly Nyakaria enters sobbing. The children, together, in surprise) Nyakaria!
|
Kiune |
What has happened sister? |
|
Nyakaria |
I have been beaten and chased away by my employer. |
|
Kamata |
(Bitter) That’s employers at work! No child is safe. Harassment is the order of the day. And here we remain tied because of poverty. |
|
Wangui |
(Comforting her sister) Stop crying, sister. This will come to an end. |
|
Kamata |
That is right! Enough is enough! We want no more working, no more insults and we want to go back to school. |
|
Wangui |
(To Nyakaria) Look at my head. It is swollen. (Pause) Why? Because of carrying coffee debes from morning till evening, non-stop! |
|
Kiune |
Look at my arm, it is not an accident. I was beaten for a mistake that was not even mine. |
|
Kamata |
God rescued me, but with a broken leg, just because of work, yes! Child labour! |
|
Nyakaria |
(Sadly) We have no honour, we are cheap labourers who are there to be used! |
|
Kiune |
Enough, this must stop and with or without money I am going back to school. |
|
Wangui |
Let’s wait for our parents and tell them that we have had enough. |
|
Nyakaria |
I won’t be a housemaid again, I can’t take the insults, beatings and the work. |
Scene Six
(Mr. Ndungu at home with Nyambura)
|
Nyambura |
Now what do we do, my dear husband? |
|
Ndungu |
What do you want us to do? |
|
Nyambura |
That is what I am asking you. |
(There is a knock at the door.)
|
Ndungu |
Someone is knocking, go and check. |
|
Nyambura |
(Goes to the door and opens it) Oh, come in my friend Wairimu. |
|
Wairimu |
(Enters) Thank you, Nyambura. (Pause) Oh, how are you Mr. Ndungu? |
|
Ndungu |
(Sadly) Fine, Wairimu. |
|
Wairimu |
Are you sick, Mr. Ndungu? |
|
Nyambura |
No he is not. It’s only this problem. |
|
Wairimu |
Which problem? |
|
Nyambura |
Our children have been sent home for lack of school fees, we have tried to make them work, but it didn’t work. |
|
Wairimu |
Oh, now I see. (Nodding her head) |
(Knock on door)
|
Nyambura |
Come in. |
|
Kiraka |
(Walks in) How are you people?
(Together) Fine, Mr. Kiraka. |
|
Kiraka |
Ndungu, you look sad, what’s… |
(Another knock on the door)
|
Ndungu |
(Loudly) Come in. |
|
Chief |
(Walking in) Good afternoon, everyone! |
| |
(All standing in respect) Good afternoon, Bwana Chief! |
|
Ndungu |
Welcome, chief. It’s an honour to see you. |
|
Chief |
My friend, it’s long since I saw you. |
|
Nyambura |
(Offering him a seat) Take a seat, Chief. Welcome. |
|
Chief |
Thank you, Madam. (Sitting down) Ndungu, why are you so lost? You do not even attend our barazas. |
|
Ndungu |
(Apologetically) Sorry, chief. But..but (Knock at the door) |
|
Nyambura |
Come in. |
|
Paul |
(Coming in, and then surprised) Oh! How are you, everyone? |
(Together) Fine, teacher!
|
Ndungu |
Welcome. (Offering his seat) Take a seat, teacher. |
|
Paul |
Thank you but I won’t stay long. |
|
Chief |
Ndungu, tell us about the problem you are hiding. |
|
Ndungu |
You know, chief, I do not have a job and my children were sent away for lack of school fees and life is damn difficult. |
|
Nyambura |
Even what to eat here is a problem for us. |
|
Paul |
But I heard that your children are working at the coffee farm and one as a house girl in an urban area. |
|
Ndungu |
But they were... |
|
Nyambura |
(Cutting him off) Not any more. They are hurt both physically and morally. |
|
Wairimu |
How? |
|
Ndungu |
My children have been insulted, beaten, even hurt so they don’t work any more. Yet they want to go back to school. |
|
Paul |
I am sorry, Mr. Ndungu. It is not only you who has this problem. There are a lot of school drop-outs. |
|
Chief |
I have heard enough of child labour! They are being mistreated by adult employers and this must stop. |
|
Kirara |
But how are we going to stop it? |
|
Wairimu |
I think it is not easy, but people should try. |
|
Paul |
Something must be done and very soon, for these children are being wasted and are suffering. |
|
Chief |
I will call an urgent meeting on this issue. |
|
Nyambura |
That will be kind of you, but how will they continue their education? |
|
Kirara |
That is a challenge! |
|
Chief |
We should begin thinking about how to keep our children in schools. |
|
Ndungu |
Yes, and that way we parents can concentrate on how to feed the children after school. |
|
Paul |
That is a good idea.(Nodding his head.) |
|
Chief |
I think the children have had enough. I have heard a lot of cases of child abuse as a result of child labour. |
|
Wairimu |
Employers should be stopped from employing children. |
|
Chief |
(Standing up) Let me leave. I will see you at the meeting. (leaving) |
|
Paul |
(Also standing) Thank a lot, but please Mr. Ndungu, let the children come to school while we wait to solve this problem. |
|
Kiraka |
Can my children come to school teacher? |
|
Paul |
Of course, let them come.
Goodbye.
(He leaves the stage and the rest follow) |
from "Child Labour - An Information Kit for Teachers, Educators, and their Organizations," IPEC, ILO, Geneva, 1998
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