The Rat Children

Pakistan | 1999

How can a mere myth ruin the lives of thousands of children? In Pakistan, microcephalics – babies born with abnormally small heads – are known as "rats" and credited with god-like powers. Believers will give them money in the hope of blessings, but unscrupulous gangs of beggars are now exploiting this ancient tradition for their own ends. These gangs kidnap young "rat" children – or frighten pare…