Child Domestic Worker

I visited this family's house on sunday evening. They were a "successful" mid-30 something couple with two own houses (one of which I am living in right now), cars, well-earning jobs and a (surprisingly) well-mannered 11-yr old boy.

There was another person in the house who was just 2-3 years older than him. A girl. She was here from her native Tirupati to help the lady of the house in running the household. Yes, cooking and cleaning, like extended hands of the lady.

Its not that she is not treated with care. The family is not an arrogant one mistreating their maids (like the horrors we hear of from the Middle East). She is given food to eat, clothing and a place to stay which is probably much more than what her own family can give her.

There is no question of "guilt" or anything for the family. According to them, they are giving her a life.
If anyone should feel guilty, it is me - for this helplessness. Reluctance to say something "incorrect", to interfere in their lifestyle. She will go back to a worse life there.

From Wikipedia

No matter what, she is a child. Just 13 years old. She has not reached puberty! She should be in school- studying and playing.

Whatever justification they have for keeping a small girl instead of an adult maid, She is just a child. She is away from her house and is also the caretaker of a boy 2 years younger than her!

According to children protection agencies, the child will be taken away and sent back only if he/she was ill-treated (beating, shouting, burns), otherwise if he/she is there with his/her parents knowledge and treated well, nothing can be done. These agencies have a million other serious problems on their hands anyway.

One thing these people CAN do is give her an education - maths, english, and encourage her to read. If not a school, then some basic knowledge. Agreed, these children are extremely difficult to be taught to- they have layers and layers of reluctance, insecurity, fear.