Challenges of life

Early in the morning we start our walk to meet Ma Een at work.

vrijdag 5 juni 2009

Our path leads us criss-cross through the neighbourhood and then up the mountain. A steep climb!

vrijdag 5 juni 2009

We meet Ma Een and her husband taking a break from their work in the fields.

vrijdag 5 juni 2009

Looking out from their farm hut over the fields and tea plantation to the village far below.

vrijdag 5 juni 2009

Ma Een tells Titi how they came to rent this piece of waste land. It took her together with her husband, their daughter and son-in-law three months to bring it under cultivation. They will try to cut some more of the remaining forest later on.

vrijdag 5 juni 2009

Neighbours passing by to collect fodder for their goats.

Ma Een’s family grows cabbage, chillies and some onions.

Cheap vegetables, because the owner of the land can take it back any time that suits him.

He will only compensate them for the standing crop, not for any investments or for their work in clearing the land.

vrijdag 5 juni 2009

The owner’s enterprise next to Ma Een’s

land: growing ferns for export.

vrijdag 5 juni 2009

Going home with her old mother, who came to collect fire wood.

vrijdag 5 juni 2009

Passing friends who are still busy picking tea.

vrijdag 5 juni 2009

More neighbours at work…

vrijdag 5 juni 2009

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Children look after themselves when the adults are at work in the fields.

vrijdag 5 juni 2009

Finally at home. Four generations and eleven mouths to feed!

vrijdag 5 juni 2009