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Minisa was withdrawn from child labour and placed at Kyebando Vocational Training Centre (KVTC) and enrolled on 4th April, 2014 to undergo a seven months training in Catering.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)