©2006 CARE/Josh Estey

Hansaben, 16, (shown above) is the daughter of a salt-pan worker and a student at Ganatar, a CARE-sponsored boarding school. Her mom works in a salt pan.

Salt is made in salt pans. Each pan is about half the size of an Olympic swimming pool. Bare human feet work in salt water atop sharp, hard salt crystals. Most workers can't afford boots. Women work in the blazing sun for 10 hours a days. They also prepare their family meals, fetch water, and tend the children, who help in the salt pan.

Next time I am tempted to say, "My feet hurt," I'm going to think about the ladies in the salt pans. I am also going to think about the abundant love for their families that drives women to work there.

Next time I season my food I will think about the enormous capacity for love that brought this salt to my table.

Help the salt pan workers buy boots and send more of their kids to school!. Donate here.