Brighter Futures for Child Labourers aims to rehabilitate and reintegrate working children through education, training and psychosocial support. REEC co-ordinates all activities from a drop-in centre in Beni. Here, working children have access to healthcare, counselling, recreational activities, legal aid and non-formal education. Children are offered supplementary tuition if they need any additional help with school subjects or, if not enrolled, basic literacy and numeracy classes. Once at the required standard, children are enrolled into local schools and provided with uniforms and school materials.
For older children who are unable or unwilling to continue with their education, or for those already engaged in exploitative work, REEC provides vocational and business training courses, which are linked to viable local income generating opportunities, through Child Labour Groups. These groups, which have been established throughout the district, offer a number of training courses for children who are aged 14+, such as welding, tailoring, and electrics, as well as life-skills education, business skills training, and financial support for self-employment.
To encourage children to stay in school or complete their training, they are provided with ongoing support including nutritious meals, medical care and counselling, as well as financial support and training for their parents and guardians. Business training and the provision of micro-credit to establish income generation activities ensures that poorer families are better equipped to provide proper care and support for their children.
The project also aims to increase awareness about child labour through community events and ongoing dialogue with local schools. REEC hopes this will help stop common practices that subject children to exploitative and hazardous working conditions as well as increasing the involvement and responsibility of local community leaders and institutions in providing support for vulnerable children. |
 |
