Brazil: Life on a Plantation

Maria works as a sugar cane cutter in Brazil, facing challenges due to mechanization in the industry. Her job is seasonal and physically demanding, with wages based on the amount of cane she cuts. As machines replace manual labor, job opportunities decline, especially for those without education. Maria hopes her children can escape this cycle through education, highlighting the link between literacy, poverty, and employment.

Discuss the relationship between illiteracy, poverty, and employment as mentioned in the text.

In what ways does education play a role in Maria's hopes for her children's future?