Empower Child Domestic Workers Through Education

From Domestic work and Chapati Selling to becoming a Caterer.

Prepared by :Christine Tezikya

 Minisa i is 15 years old. She was identified by Platform for Labour Action during the mapping exercise of exploited children under child labour in Makindye division, Kampala district. A former domestic worker and chapatti seller in Masajja- zone, Kampala district who dropped out of school after completing her primary seven (P.7) due to lack of school fees. Her parents are so old that they can’t support her to the extent that they depend on Minisa’s sibling. She stays with her brother who employs her, but receives her payment in kind in form of basic needs.

Minisa’s tasks involved waking up at 6:00am, do all the domestic chores and by 7:30am would be at the chapatti selling workplace. She worked for a period of 11 months without pay as the money was always sent to her parents in Mbale- Nakaloke village. While at work, she was over worked because she had to prepare dinner, wash utensils after selling chapatti then go to bed at around 11:00pm. She also faced a challenge of getting sanitary towels from her brother who did not see it as his duty to provide.

Minisa was withdrawn from child labour and placed at Kyebando Vocational Training Centre (KVTC) and enrolled on 4th April, 2014 to undergo a seven months training in Catering. She is now happy because she has skills in bakery like cake making , bread, donuts that she will use after school to care of herself and her parents.She is provided with living materials like tooth paste, soap, sanitary towels which were a challenge to obtain while at work. While at school, she also gets entrepreneurship skills that will help her in future business management. She further participates in Music Dance and Drama, sports like Netball during her free time hence enjoying a right to rest and play as a child.

• Minisa attending at a vocational school (DOCX)

Ms. Joan Nabbosa is 16 years old. She was referred to Platform for Labour Action (PLA) by Chandiru Zuena one of PLA’s trained peer domestic work coordinator following information received that the employers were shifting to another house without settling Joan’s wages.  Joan is a former child domestic worker who dropped out of school in Primary six due to lack of school fees. Her parents passed away when she was still young. Due to lack of employment, a friend advised her to search for a job. It’s from then that her friend brought her from Gomba – butambala and got her a job in Ntinda in February 2013 as a domestic worker.  During her first day of work, a meeting was held with the employer to which it was agreed that she will earn 40,000/= per month. 

Her tasks involved taking care of 2 children as well as domestic chores. She worked for a period of one year and was only paid for one month. While working, she always faced mistreatment from her employer. The matter was brought to the attention of PLA to which we intervened and rescued her from this situation. Her arrears amounting to 520,000/= Uganda shillings including exploitation compensation of 50,000/= were settled by the employer. She was later resettled back to her auntie’s home by PLA in Wakaliga. Joan aspires to study a hair dressing course so that she is in position to earn a living. She will be considered for the vocational training course. Joan thanked PLA for securing her money because she was worried that she will never get it.

 “Thank you for rescuing me from the lady who mistreated me yet I took good care of her children and house.” God bless you - Nabossa Joan’s words.

• Joan upclose (DOCX)