Farm working children are unprotected by law, have very low expectations for school life and medical care.
Agricultural farm working children are exposed to chemicals used on land crops and susceptible to physical injuries.
Farm working children are working as many hours as an adult and don’t have medical or dental care or other benefits.
Farmworkers are being abused in many ways: abusive rental fees for housing that lacks basic services, installations and sanitary conditions. Existing violence and slavery are being reported to authorities (in Florida, for example).
As a student of Renton Technical College attending ESL classes, I want my voice to be heard by the corresponding authorities. I urge you to make every effort to rectify these horrible and inhumane conditions.
Guillermo
Friday, February 3, 2012
Conditions for Migrant Workers
After watching two video reports on the plight of migrant farmworkers in the US, students were shocked and dismayed to find that conditions have hardly improved for these people in over 50 years! But the most disheartening facts concerned child workers--ages 10 to 18 years old. Did you know that US labor laws protect all working children except in agriculture?
Here are some other shameful facts:
• Children as young as 10 years old working illegally in agriculture
• Children missing out on education due to inadequate transfer of grades and school records
• Children working when they should be in school
• Preschool children in the fields exposed to pesticides because their parents have no child care
• Little or no education for farmworkers concerning hazardous chemicals and machinery
• Lack of protective clothing for workers in the field
• Lack of water and lavatory facilities to ensure cleanliness in the fields
The people who do the hardest labor and put food on America's tables are treated worse than animals! Writing letters to the US Congress and the Washington State legislature, students made the following comments and recommendations.
Here are some other shameful facts:
• Children as young as 10 years old working illegally in agriculture
• Children missing out on education due to inadequate transfer of grades and school records
• Children working when they should be in school
• Preschool children in the fields exposed to pesticides because their parents have no child care
• Little or no education for farmworkers concerning hazardous chemicals and machinery
• Lack of protective clothing for workers in the field
• Lack of water and lavatory facilities to ensure cleanliness in the fields
The people who do the hardest labor and put food on America's tables are treated worse than animals! Writing letters to the US Congress and the Washington State legislature, students made the following comments and recommendations.
Monday, August 2, 2010
My First Day in the United States
by Jacqueline Rivera
I lived near the border of Texas and Mexico. The border was only 20 minutes from my house. My first home in the US was in MacAllen, Texas.
My first day here I went shopping with my friend. I shopped for three hours. I only understood a little English for the bus. I could only look around. I buy everything with no English. I was very excited.
I lived near the border of Texas and Mexico. The border was only 20 minutes from my house. My first home in the US was in MacAllen, Texas.
My first day here I went shopping with my friend. I shopped for three hours. I only understood a little English for the bus. I could only look around. I buy everything with no English. I was very excited.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
My First Day in the United States
by Manjeet Kaur, India
My first day here I felt bad because my relatives were in India. I felt bad because I could not speak English but my children helped to understand English. My family was happy because they liked it here. Now I like it here because my family is happy.
My first day here I felt bad because my relatives were in India. I felt bad because I could not speak English but my children helped to understand English. My family was happy because they liked it here. Now I like it here because my family is happy.
My First Day in the United States
by Jana Moiseev, Moldova
My first day here was the last day in the fall, November 30, 2009. I was happy because I could be together with my sister. I was in Portugal for 3 years and my sister was in Moldova.
I felt very bad because I couldn't understand English. Little by little I will like it here. I am a student at Renton Technical College (RTC).
My first teacher was Audrey. She was very good for students. My second teacher is Marcia. I like her. Thank you, teachers, for your help.
My first day here was the last day in the fall, November 30, 2009. I was happy because I could be together with my sister. I was in Portugal for 3 years and my sister was in Moldova.
I felt very bad because I couldn't understand English. Little by little I will like it here. I am a student at Renton Technical College (RTC).
My first teacher was Audrey. She was very good for students. My second teacher is Marcia. I like her. Thank you, teachers, for your help.
My First Day in the United States
by Sanh Nguyen, Vietnam
My first day here I felt worried because it was the first time I went so far. But I was really enchanted with this country. Everything was beautiful and everybody was friendly. Sometimes I was sad and remembered my country where my mom and brothers and sisters were living. My daughter was married and lived here for eight years. She had a cute baby. I felt happy so much because I could have my family together, my wife, daughter, son-in-law, grandson and I.
The first days I couldn't understand anything and didn't drive. But little by little I will understand and drive. Now I like it here. I feel so very happy.
My first day here I felt worried because it was the first time I went so far. But I was really enchanted with this country. Everything was beautiful and everybody was friendly. Sometimes I was sad and remembered my country where my mom and brothers and sisters were living. My daughter was married and lived here for eight years. She had a cute baby. I felt happy so much because I could have my family together, my wife, daughter, son-in-law, grandson and I.
The first days I couldn't understand anything and didn't drive. But little by little I will understand and drive. Now I like it here. I feel so very happy.
My First Day in the United States
by Ivan Moiseev, Moldova
My first day here I felt happy and tired. Happy because I see people in my family, and the opportunity for my family to live in the United States. Tired because a long time on the plane.
My first day here I felt happy and tired. Happy because I see people in my family, and the opportunity for my family to live in the United States. Tired because a long time on the plane.
My First Day in the United States
by Hanh Nguyen, Vietnam
I came to Seattle on the day of summer. Everything was beautiful. I felt very happy because I met my husband after 4 years apart. My husband was happy, too. Then after that, I felt sad because I missed my father, my mom , and my sisters. I also felt sad when I heard the people speaking English because I didn't understand. Now I like it here. I am very happy because my family loves it here.
I came to Seattle on the day of summer. Everything was beautiful. I felt very happy because I met my husband after 4 years apart. My husband was happy, too. Then after that, I felt sad because I missed my father, my mom , and my sisters. I also felt sad when I heard the people speaking English because I didn't understand. Now I like it here. I am very happy because my family loves it here.
My First Day in the United States
by Fatoumata Diallo, Guinea
My first day here I felt sad because I was apart from my family. The next day my husband told me, "Don't be sad. I am here with you, my love."
My first day here I felt sad because I was apart from my family. The next day my husband told me, "Don't be sad. I am here with you, my love."
My First Day in the United States
by Kesete Berhane, Eritriya
When I came here, I was very confused because the people were talking English. I felt very bad because I couldn't understand anything. But my family met me in the airport. When I saw my wife, I was very happy. They picked me up by car and we went to their home. I was very glad and my family was, too.
When I came here, I was very confused because the people were talking English. I felt very bad because I couldn't understand anything. But my family met me in the airport. When I saw my wife, I was very happy. They picked me up by car and we went to their home. I was very glad and my family was, too.
My First Day in the United States
by Valentina Sirbu, Moldova
My first day here I felt good because I saw my parents, sisters, and grandchildren. When I came here, I was impressed by so much greenery. I'm happy because I am together with my husband and my daughter.
My first day here I felt good because I saw my parents, sisters, and grandchildren. When I came here, I was impressed by so much greenery. I'm happy because I am together with my husband and my daughter.
Friday, July 30, 2010
MY FIRST DAY IN THE UNITED STATES
by Felisa Gonzalez, Mexico
My first day here I felt very excited because after 2 years I saw my husband again. He had 2 years living in the United States. The first day we came here I was really happy, but the second day everything changed. My husband had to go to work and I felt real sad because I had to stay home alone. I didn't know where to go. I didn't know anyone and every day I spend in my house. I couldn't go to stores or parks because the people who speak English I wouldn't understand them. After that a month went by and it was the time we needed to get comfortable in our new home.
My first day here I felt very excited because after 2 years I saw my husband again. He had 2 years living in the United States. The first day we came here I was really happy, but the second day everything changed. My husband had to go to work and I felt real sad because I had to stay home alone. I didn't know where to go. I didn't know anyone and every day I spend in my house. I couldn't go to stores or parks because the people who speak English I wouldn't understand them. After that a month went by and it was the time we needed to get comfortable in our new home.
My first day in the United States
by Oscar Munoz, Mexico
When I came here I felt happy because my family was here. The first day I saw my father very happy because I was here. I remember my father told me, "Son, thanks to God you are here with me because it's very hard to come here in this country."
The next day, we went shopping in the market. I heard the people talking English. I felt a little nervous because I don't speak English. I remember my first day on the job was very difficult for me. My boss said something but I couldn't understand everything. I felt a little sad. I thought about going back to Mexico again but my father told me, "Don't worry about it, Oscar. Little by little you will like it here."
When I came here I felt happy because my family was here. The first day I saw my father very happy because I was here. I remember my father told me, "Son, thanks to God you are here with me because it's very hard to come here in this country."
The next day, we went shopping in the market. I heard the people talking English. I felt a little nervous because I don't speak English. I remember my first day on the job was very difficult for me. My boss said something but I couldn't understand everything. I felt a little sad. I thought about going back to Mexico again but my father told me, "Don't worry about it, Oscar. Little by little you will like it here."
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
We are at the museum!
The Renton History Museum will be opening an exhibit of work by ESL students from Renton Technical College. Visitors will learn about the countries ESL students came from, the traditions they are bringing with them, and their experience since they have come to the U.S.
We are very proud of our students and happy to share their voices with everyone in Renton.
Exhibit Opening Celebration:
Thursday, July 15th, 2010
9:00-10:00 a.m.
Renton History Museum
235 Mill Ave S
Renton, WA 98057
Bring your friends and families to visit the museum during the summer!
The ESL exhibit will be on display until fall.
www.rentonhistory.org
We are very proud of our students and happy to share their voices with everyone in Renton.
Exhibit Opening Celebration:
Thursday, July 15th, 2010
9:00-10:00 a.m.
Renton History Museum
235 Mill Ave S
Renton, WA 98057
Bring your friends and families to visit the museum during the summer!
The ESL exhibit will be on display until fall.
www.rentonhistory.org
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Independence Day
Did you enjoy the Fourth of July?
Americans celebrate their Independence Day every year on July 4th. Traditional celebrations include picnics, barbecues, parades, and fireworks. How did you celebrate this year?
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