I’ve written before about the number of children I see at the beach – not messing about with buckets and spades or paddling, but actually working: selling crisps, jewellery, trinkets, performing, begging.
This upsets me terribly, as does seeing other tourists be, as I see it, part of the problem, in that their handing over a few rupees here and there contributes to the concept of children (and their connected adults) viewing the beach as an economic opportunity.
However, this weekend I saw some children from the El Shaddai homes, who came to “my” bit of the beach and, as you can see here, had a fabulous time:
It so wonderful to see children behaving as children should – messing about and playing.
Wonderful picture – and as you say, great to see them doing what kids should be doing.