Poverty levels at Ndarugo village, Juja-Kiambu County are on the rise hence the high numbers of minors dropping out of school.
The poor learners are forced to join their parents at the Quarry working from Monday to Saturday crushing stones into gravel which they get paid Ksh10 for each bucket full.
One of the family is Maryanne Waithera’s whose daughter has been forced to drop out of school to join her in the hard job for a minor.
The money we get can hardly meet rent and food expenses, leave alone paying school fees. With all these problems, what can I do if not take my kids to the quarries to help me get some small money? They will continue staying at home and crushing stones until I get money,
she said.
Another mother identified as Margaret Wanja also added that she was forced to make her four kids join her in the quarries for an extra shilling.
“I know they should be in school, but what can I do. I took them but they were sent home to collect school fees which I do not have. I have no choice but to take them to the quarry to help me look for money,” she said.
The parents are now calling on to the area MP and the county government to help them save their children’s future.
