Omar’s heart sinks when he trudges past his closed school gates in the Jordanian capital Amman — now part of his trip to work, to repair and clean kerosene heaters.
“As school is shut, I help my family financially,” said Omar, sporting a sweater and dirty jeans as he cleaned a heater with his blackened hands.He works exhausting 12-hour days at the workshop, and collapses into bed after a shower and a quick evening meal.“What is unbearable is the smell of kerosene… doesn’t go away.”His contribution is vital because his father, a day labourer, has struggled to find work due to the coronavirus downturn.
“It would seem logical… because we know the levels of poverty are increasing” during the coronavirus crisis, she added. “Since the schools closed… the number of children renting my carts has increased,” the 58-year-old said.Their daily wage is about five dinars or a little more, he said.Twelve-year-old Mustafa, pushing along a brimming cart, said he has been transporting vegetables and chickens to the market for several months.