Armenian Teen Demands 'Right To A Good Life'

Ahead of the UN-sponsored International Day Against Child Labor, RFE/RL's Armenian Service spoke to one working child who is determined to change his situation. Fourteen-year-old Hovhannes loads trucks and collects scrap metal to help support his large family, which lives in a crumbling Yerevan apartment. But he wants his country's leaders to acknowledge their desperate economic situation and help them make a better life for themselves. Video by Hasmik Smbatyan, RFE/RL's Armenian Service

[nicky]

That boy is so young but so mature for his age

[BYTHEHYMENOFOLIVIANEWTONJOHN]

This video is 7 years old. I hope this young man is doing better now. No child deserves to not experience childhood. When he was just watching the other kids play soccer, it broke my heart.

[willard]

Where on earth are you guaranteed a good life by your country? Who put such a foolish idea in this poor kid's head?

[ariagaify]

dont have sufficient income yet have 7 children????

[jimsertable]

I like the boy's determination, and he is so matured.

[jannawilliams]

Why have so many kids if you cant afford to take care of them. Blame the president for the fact you kept having kids when you cant even feed them? When do people start taking responsibility?

[HasanBasri-nikc]

This boy may dia during war of 2020 carabakh. It is sad to see young people die in war..

[TheLilith]

Isk inchu 7 erexa uneq ete etpes vata vichake u vateq aprum? inch huisoveq etqan ererxa unenum? xelq chuneq chem haskanume, menak mi teghna ashxatum? mexke chen et erexeqe?

[varougenerssessian]

I watched a documentary on the poor of Romania. Of course it is sad, however I wonder if the producer of that film is aware of the poor of Armenia.

[ОганнисянГрарпи]

Vax esinch xelaci erexa ya Astvac qez het

[trppo]

Armenia failed its own citizens but wants to continue war and expenses on military...