We were assigned to write a text and get in the character of someone who worked in a toy factory at very hideous conditions. "Christmas is coming soon. And for me, that doesn’t mean joy, holidays and spending time with my family. Instead, it implies I have to work twice as much in the factory. Whenever this season arrives, the demand for toys and decorations is very high, more than the usual. Therefore, we’re asked to toil away day and night with very little rest. I always see many of the women working here faint countless times due to their fatigue; not only because of the nonstop activity, but also because of the bad conditions we’re in. Even in winter it’s very hot with all the machinery around us: the steam is oppressive and we can barely breathe. Furthermore, we get tired easily; both physically and mentally. As a result of this, accidents occur: broken fingers, skin burns or even casualties are just a few of the possible outcomes. What depresses me the most is the little reward for all this sacrifice. No matter how much I exert myself, how much I work overtime or how badly I get myself hurt, I can barely earn up to 780 yuan. It makes me think that all this effort is meaningless, even more when it keeps me from seeing my family during this festivity. However, I can only save up that much money if I cut down on other needs. I can’t buy breakfast at work even if it’s just 1 yuan: if I wasted that everyday, I’d end up loosing a lot of money and all my attempts on gaining cash would go to waste. I try my best to only buy presents for my family, pay rent and other basic needs for us. Having said all this, I can only add one more thing. I feel very void when I think of how the items I help making sell. Many people buy them from all sorts of places, but the amount of customers that understand the pain and trouble we go through for producing these toys is very small. Or perhaps it’s immense, but they give it no importance and never think of us. I’m aware there are many companies fighting this abuse, but I see no change in my everyday life. As much as I like the idea of children enjoying the toys we make and the joy it brings them, I can’t help but cry when the sacrifice I’ve gone through comes to mind."
