1) If you closely observe the construction site area, you will find that the stone or brick loads are carried UP stairs to the first floor or second floor, where they are not too helpful. They are not helpful if the path is sandy or very uneven.

2) As regards Railway coolies, for one most stations have stairs you have to climb to cross platforms, quite unlike the western countries. Check out Bangalore station or Coimbatore station, you will see what I mean.

3) When there are wheel barrows, I would not need a person to help me with the luggage in case the railway platform is even and smooth (with out stair cases) right until the Taxi stand. The government tried to provide these much like a western airport, but the labor unions intervened to prevent loss of jobs.

What I am saying is that, simplification is fine with thinking up theories, but the matters are more complex than that.

Problem #1: It started out boring
Solution: Use a "hook" (a writer's first sentence to draw you in)

Problem #2: You give us too much info too quickly
Solution: spread the info out. you could start with something like "Rudolf Avery glanced out the blahablah…" then we have his name and the setting. For the 6 year old, you could say "He glanced at his little sister Marie, who, at the moment was using his arm as a pillow"

Problem #3: Show don't tell
Solution: It was the year 2030? Show us through the ways people live. Do they ride in hovercars. And the America thing…don't offer it upfront.

Best of luck