Buried Alive

Amale is a Brazilian boy who started school for the first time. His presence in the classroom is a miracle in itself. Amale’s mother wasn’t married when she had him. And according to tribal tradition, this meant he had to be buried alive. His grandfather did so and walked on the mound for good measure. Two hours later, Kamiru, the little boy’s aunt, defied the tribe and ran to dig up the infant and saved his life. She is now raising Amale as her own. Infanticide is a serious problem in this and other parts of the world, and it’s sometimes practiced in America. Not by burying them alive, but there have been cases of withholding food and water or basic medical treatment for children born with physical handicaps. In the ground or in a hospital, the result is the same.

[03/11/08]