From our own correspondent - Selling your children

Calpurnia I heard that report too and was so shocked and upset.

Its the one small act I feel I can do is to support financially.

I have the greatest respect for those who put their comfort and safety at risk to help their fellow man in these dangerous countries.

A uplifting post Sago.

Not shocked, but very saddened.
This trade has been going on for eons. My friends were offered children in Yugoslavia in the 1980s.

While I agree there is nothing we can magically do to change the culture, and the idea of going out and proselytising is abhorrent nowadays, I do think that it's a slow road to a better life and every small thing we can do, we should - such as supporting charities/people who are bringing aid, education and stability to these places.

8 of those poor children who survive will probably use less of the earth's resources in their lifetime, than one child born in the affluent West.

Someone I know was adopted as a tiny baby from a Chinese family in Southern Asia. She was their 8th girl child and the family were persuaded to part with her. She has grown up happily and successfully in England and has since visited her birth family.

My son worked with the Jesuit missions in India when he left school, he was teaching and caring for Dalit children who had been sold into bonded labour, the Jesuits buy the children back and educate them.
Young Dalit men and women are now graduating from university and teaching their own.

He went one day with a priest to “ kidnap” two young girls of appx 13, they had been sold as temple prostitutes and were to be involved in a ceremony and handed over to the temple.
A concerned relative tipped off the Jesuits who rescued the girls, by the time they were 18 they would have had a baby a year to numerous different men.

The girls were taught to read, write and learn to sew, there are thankfully many similar charities working across the globe to help these children and young people.

I haven't watched this particular report but yes im aware of these atrocities takin place around the World.

Im in awe of the reporters, aid workers, all the people who put themselves out to raise awareness of these issues in the hope help will be found.

Mans inhumanity to man alive and kicking right enough.

I watched a similar report, if not the same one. I agree with Urmstongran though, there is nothing I can do. They have too many children for a start, and cannot afford to keep them. If they were being sold to be adopted for a better life, that would be understandable, but sadly, not the case.

No it would just depress and upset me. What for? What good would that do in the long run. I can’t change anything the Afghanis do. Having 8 children when times are so fraught would be my starting place for education and change. But these village women are not privy to education and are controlled by their men folk. It’s one messy bowl of spaghetti out there. I wouldn’t know where to start. Sadly. I do feel for these mothers but that’s not going to butter any parsnips.