Poverty and Girls

One of my most profound memory when I was in Cambodia, was at a lunch. A lunch at a simple roadside stall near one of the temple in Angkor Wat complex. A little girl, probably around 8 years old, approached our table to sell various knickknack and souvenirs. We had no need of those, but the girl obviously had nothing else to do so she lingers near our table, circling and at times, playing around the bushes surrounding the stall.

I was curious that she does not attend school. It was past noon time, and a girl at productive age should be attending school. So mom felt sorry for the girl so she gifted her with a collection of pens and pencils that could help her rather than money that she would deposit back to her supplier. The girl was very delighted when receiving the gift. Such a simple and pure innocent look. She bounced around and ran away with her gift.

A while later, she reappeared with the pencils missing, and a bag of sugary drink appeared in her hand that she happily sipped. We were bewildered. Did she exchange her pencils with sugary drink? If so, is this not a poor decision for the small girl. Who protects her from those? Why would adults around her allow that to happen. Worse, how are adults around exploiting small children like these rather than providing children to education and items to promote their livelihood and improve the chance of life.