Sandy lives in the Dominican Republic in a makeshift shack with limited amenities. At dawn, he suffers from the pain caused by his current job trimming garlic plants, which showcases the physical toll that child labor takes on him from a young age.
Sandy's daily routine consists of climbing into a truck to work in the fields from dawn to mid-afternoon. With no shoes and skipping breakfast, he must rely on his hands to work and contribute to his family income, earning between $5 to $7 a day.
Sandy's family lives in poverty, with his mother and father lacking education and literacy. Sandy missed out on school due to geographical barriers and economic hardship, emphasizing the cycle of poverty that limits educational opportunities for children.
Organizations in Sandy's community support children by promoting school attendance and education. Volunteer efforts have shown a positive change in children's behavior, encouraging them to prioritize learning over labor, thus fostering hope for a brighter future.