Children living in the rural districts and highland areas of Phu Yen Province don’t get much of a summer holiday, as they are kept busy helping their parents and left with nowhere to play.
During the summer many children in Krong Pa Commune have to walk very far to take water home
The children don’t have designated areas or playgrounds to spend their time while most of their parents work. They already cope with an abundance of difficulties such as food, water, clothing and schooling challenges. They likely have never dreamt of having a special area for recreational activity and to do what children do play.
The Chairman of Ca Lui Commune, Son Hoa District, Phu Yen Province said that half of his commune was living in poverty and that it was tough enough for authorities to take care of children’s health and studies, providing a playground is simply beyond their ability.
Tien, a Communist Youth Union Associate Secretary of Tan Hop Hamlet, Son Hoi Commune, Son Hoa District said, “Children here have been taken to the fields with their parents while they work for whole days since they were young. They do not get to enjoy summer holidays like most children.”
Many children here have to help their parents find firewood or tend to cows during summer holidays. Those who are too small to help their parents are left to play by themselves in the fields where their parents are working.
However, most of their parents do not have time to look after them because they are busy working to earn money, putting the children in danger as they play near buffalo, cows, streams, ponds or lakes by themselves.
Summer is passing but it is unlikely these children will have a safe place to play any time soon.
Ksor H Lan, 5, and Ksor H Bong, 2, are taken to the fields with their mother
Children’s health and safety ares a concern when they are brought to the fields
A mother takes her child to work with her
