Real naija

Children who hawk....


Driven out into the street,
To play the role of an adult,
The dangerous game of responsibility.
Dodging vehicles,facing strangers,taking risks.
All at a very tender age.

Driven to tears by sadness when sales are dull......
And fear for what mother might say.
She might accuse the child of playing instead of Hawking.
Which is not easy to resist at this age.

Made an adult at childhood
Hardened by the streets
Getting tougher and wiser as the year goes by.
Losing their childhood gradually.

School in the day,hawk in the evening
Face chores, homework,beatings at night.
Some deprived of education,
Some a proper childhood
All facing the same pain.
Each and every day,they go out to sell .
Whether the sales are dull or bad
They keep going .
No breaks,no rest


School holidays are fun,and expected .
But not for the children who hawk.
It means a whole day of hawking to them  .
And whether they like it or not....they must go ...else....no food .


Look at them and you'll see joy .
Because they have companions.
Take a closer look into their hearts and you'll see it there....
Sadness......
In their hearts