The Independent (Freetown)
29 September 2008
The Freetown City Council has arrested several children hawking items on the streets of the capital Freetown.
Seventy percent of the country's 4.9 million people live on less than one dollar a day. Many parents could therefore not send their children to school, and get their living by sending children to hawk in the streets of Freetown.
Children arrested could only be released after their parents have paid a fine of not less than a hundred thousand Leones or spend a week in detention.
"It is only our children who can help us by selling on the streets to have money to pay their school fees", says Aminata Kamara, a woman who says her son was arrested.
In many parts of the city, children could also be seen leading beggars around.
"Such children will never go to school and they end up becoming beggars. This is a threat to the future of our nation", says a metropolitan cop.
Also, the country currently ranks among the highest in infant mortality and morbidity.
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