Work

Emma.

The ground was hard. It was like they were digging on a rock. Emma’s entire face was slick with sweat and her blouse was stuck to her body like second skin. The big skirt she was wearing trapped all the heat inside, literally boiling her legs. She could feel the sweat rolling down her legs. Her skin was aching from being under too much direct sunlight, without any sunscreen to protect it. Emma was tired but she continued to lift the hoe up and bring it down with as much force as she could muster.

Andrea and another woman were seated under the shade of a tree in the middle of the strip of land. They had a large jar of water and snacks which they eating while talking and laughing. Emma’s throat was parched and she needed water but Andrea had said they wouldn’t be getting any until the work was done. Emma and her colleagues had no choice but to continue working under the terrible conditions.

Suddenly, Emma felt a hit on her back. She nearly rammed into her hoe as she fell over. Sh