Throughout
the world, many children make difficult choices in order to stay alive.
Some become slaves to employers that pay them little, and work them
long hours in unhealthy circumstances. Stealing becomes the means
for survival for other children. This sculpture, however, is dedicated
to those who end up selling their innocence.
In
the Year of the Rat, when Tu Young was 11, she learned the way of
women. She was taught by an old man who promised a roof and food.
Now she is caught in her world like a rat in a maze. She still dreams
of finding another way to support herself. That is why her face is
full of dreams, not anger or hate.
Until then, Tu Young lives each day as best she can. Though her life
is not what she dreams it can be, she has learned to find happiness
in her situation. Her sister-friends understand her life, and for
now she is better off than if she was back on the street alone and
hungry. There she was totally unprotected and frightened.
This
sculpture is dedicated to all the Tu Youngs in our world today. Hopefully,
those of us who have been born into better circumstances will take
a few minutes to pray for those in the world that are not as fortunate.
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