Fair Trade

This weekend I read an article about soccer ball production in India.  Although the soccer ball industry has tried to eliminate the use of child labor in the sewing of soccer balls, these efforts have not been totally successful.  As a result, there are possibly thousands of children- as young as 4- sewing soccer balls for hours each day.

This is dreadful; however, I have a suggestion which could, perhaps, be a positive bend to this terrible situation.

I propose an exchange program.    Exchange American teenagers with soccer ball making children.

I am willing to become part of the pilot program,  I am not suggesting a permanent switch,  it doesn't have to be more than a year.

Little Raji will come and stay at my house, in turn one of the teenagers who live in my house will go to the slum Raji is from and spend 14 hours a day making soccer balls.

This summer the dog dragged the wireless phone into the yard, where it was ruined by the sprinklers.

The following is the conversation which took place in regard to this event:

Jody: The dog dragged the phone into the yard and it was ruined this morning by the sprinklers.

Gioconda: I guess we will have to buy another one.  I wonder what dog did it.

Christian (American Teenager): It was Mia ( the boxer) I saw her do it last night.

Jody: Last night?  Before the sprinklers went on?

Christian: Yes, I guess.

Jody:  Really?  And it didn't occur to you to take it out of her mouth?

Christian: No.

I imagine Raji being vigilant about such issues.  

Raji: Although I have no idea what this device is used for I know- even from my limited point of reference- as I have been living in a doorless shelter made of rusted hubcaps-it does not belong in the mouth of a boxer.

Jody: Thank you, Raji.  Here is the $45.00 you just saved me in having to buy another phone. 

 Every time Raji closes a door behind him I would slip him a couple of bucks, turn the bathroom light off for a week solid, he gets a 10 spot.  If he doesn't steal my booze, make a bong out of a smashed coke can, or use my truck to fuck a girl who looks like she is about 13, he gets a bonus at the end of his stay.

By the time he leaves Raji will have saved enough to go back to India and buy his family out of poverty.  

At some point the American teenager will have to come home, but with a skill and reduced appetite.

It is a sacrifice, but one I am wiling to take in order to help those in need.