Growing up too fast: Rural children working in Addis Ababa

Abstract

The study explores the life situation of children who come from rural areas to work in Addis Ababa. It discusses their migration, work, relationships, and their economic contributions using data from 30 children. Findings indicate that poverty is a major push factor for migration, while a strong network of relatives living in Addis Ababa is a pull factor. In Addis Ababa, the children live in a challenging environment, drawing on their personal and social resources to persevere in the face of difficulties. Though they work hard and sometimes manage without basic necessities, they appreciate the opportunities available to help families, and for most to go to school, which reflects agency in action. Interventions need to consider not only vulnerability, but also the agency and resilience of children and the factors behind these.

Keywords: Childhood, Ethiopia, migration, countryside, working children