Last weekend, I called security to send someone to clean the bathroom. Usually, it's a middle aged man who comes to clean the bathroom. He takes Rs.50 for each time he comes. But last weekend, a cute teen aged child knocked on my door. I wasn't sure what to do. I have had this debate within myself many times. As a principle, I decided long time ago that I will never employ children as domestic help. But at such times, when this kid is already cleaning 50 odd homes of society, would only me not letting him clean my bathroom help him go to school. One argument is that it has to start somewhere and I should contribute my bit. I don't disagree with this argument and this is why many times, I am the only one waiting behind the zebra line for traffic signal to turn green. But I also think that it's only a concerted effort on part of society that will help this cause. And given our society, only better law enforcement can bring that concerted effort. All of these thoughts crossed my mind in 10 seconds as I looked at that kid and I gave in. I get this nagging feeling that I was wrong and I should have done my bit. But this kid looked so cute and happy with where he was, I just gave in at that moment. I talked to him while he was cleaning, tried to understand him and tried to give him some feel of equality, love and respect. He supports his family financially along with his uncles, who don't earn much to provide for family.
Seven days passed after that and came this weekend.
I called up security and asked him to send that same kid to my house. What happened to my principles? I don't know! He came in a very cheerful mood, started talking as soon as he came in and was very inquisitive. I switched the AC off with remote as I opened the balcony door. Apparently, he didn't know that an AC could be controlled by a remote and was excited to know this. He asked me if I wanted to engage him on a monthly basis. I asked him what the difference was, he could get his money every time he came in to clean. He told me his folks are planning to go to Vaishno Devi and he needs to save some money. If he gets paid for every time, he ends up spending it. The only way he can save is if he gets it in lump sum at the end of the month. Hearing his rationale, I agreed to have him clean my bathroom every weekend he can find me at home and take his dues at the end of the month. He agreed.
As he finished cleaning the bathroom, he noticed some namkeen lying in a corner. He asked me for a paper to throw it away. Man! wasn't it a lesson for me in customer delight and commitment towards your job! How many times we crib on getting that additional work from our customer! He also asked me to come and check the bathroom if everything was okay. Then he asked me to give his money for this time. I asked him what happened to his savings plan. He said last night he and his uncles didn't eat anything as there were no vegetables at home. With this money, he would go and buy vegetables. I was speechless. I have heard about world hunger, I have seen it in movies but this was the first time someone was telling me on face and that too a cute teenage kid! I felt stupid, gave him his money and couldn't think anything for the next few seconds. As I heard the sound of elevator doors closing, I thought I could have given him Rs.100 instead of Rs.50, I should have given him the Parle G biscuits from my cupboard, I could have even asked him to sit for a while and made him a Maggie! But I acted like a stupid there. Did I fail him!
Look at him, a kid with a lost childhood but still happy and dedicated to what he does! He dwarfs my problems.
As my head clears, I have decided to find him again today/tomorrow and ask him to come to me to take some money to buy food whenever this happens the next time. But what can we do as responsible people to help such children? Is there a way this kid can go to school?
Seven days passed after that and came this weekend.
I called up security and asked him to send that same kid to my house. What happened to my principles? I don't know! He came in a very cheerful mood, started talking as soon as he came in and was very inquisitive. I switched the AC off with remote as I opened the balcony door. Apparently, he didn't know that an AC could be controlled by a remote and was excited to know this. He asked me if I wanted to engage him on a monthly basis. I asked him what the difference was, he could get his money every time he came in to clean. He told me his folks are planning to go to Vaishno Devi and he needs to save some money. If he gets paid for every time, he ends up spending it. The only way he can save is if he gets it in lump sum at the end of the month. Hearing his rationale, I agreed to have him clean my bathroom every weekend he can find me at home and take his dues at the end of the month. He agreed.
As he finished cleaning the bathroom, he noticed some namkeen lying in a corner. He asked me for a paper to throw it away. Man! wasn't it a lesson for me in customer delight and commitment towards your job! How many times we crib on getting that additional work from our customer! He also asked me to come and check the bathroom if everything was okay. Then he asked me to give his money for this time. I asked him what happened to his savings plan. He said last night he and his uncles didn't eat anything as there were no vegetables at home. With this money, he would go and buy vegetables. I was speechless. I have heard about world hunger, I have seen it in movies but this was the first time someone was telling me on face and that too a cute teenage kid! I felt stupid, gave him his money and couldn't think anything for the next few seconds. As I heard the sound of elevator doors closing, I thought I could have given him Rs.100 instead of Rs.50, I should have given him the Parle G biscuits from my cupboard, I could have even asked him to sit for a while and made him a Maggie! But I acted like a stupid there. Did I fail him!
Look at him, a kid with a lost childhood but still happy and dedicated to what he does! He dwarfs my problems.
As my head clears, I have decided to find him again today/tomorrow and ask him to come to me to take some money to buy food whenever this happens the next time. But what can we do as responsible people to help such children? Is there a way this kid can go to school?
