By Ben Hire | Child Labour Volunteer
EMPOWER CHILD DOMESTIC WORKERS THROUGH EDUCATION: Progress Report #1
This quarter has been very exciting for PLA and especially for the 99 (68 girls and 31 boys) former child domestic workers now in school. Identifying appropriate children required many weeks of door-to-door house visits, hours of interviews, several community awareness sessions and ongoing mediation. Ultimately, in October and November 99 vulnerable child domestic workers were removed from exploitative conditions and placed at Nile Vocational Institute where they have begun a six-month course of their choice. Popular courses are motor vehicle mechanics with 30 children, catering with 9 children and hair dressing with 38 children, Tailoring 19 children computer 2 and Plumbing 1 child.
With the funds donated PLA staff members have periodically visited the students to monitor their progress, address issues, and provide counseling. During these visits, each child is asked about his/her experiences at school during a private counseling session. Overwhelmingly, the responses are positive.
Testimonials
“I love school because I have so much knowledge that I otherwise would not have had. The teachers are great. They really care about us.”
“When I finish school I will now be able to get a good job and help my family. I have learned to be disciplined and to be a more productive member of society.”
“I like school because I feel secure here. I know that I will eat.”
Thank you so much PLA
Challenges
During these visits, we learned that many of the children lack basic necessities such as a change of clothing, shoes, mosquito nets, sanitary pads and soap. Many children have expressed concern that six months is not long enough to complete an entire course of study. In response to these issues, our team at PLA is working diligently to find donated clothes and inexpensive sanitary pads and mosquito nets. Money raised through GlobalGiving will enable us to buy more of these items and will allow children a longer course of study, thereby improving the likelihood that they find decent jobs in the future.
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