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Technical Cooperation Project Summary

Project Title

Elimination of Child Labor at La Chureca Garbage Dump yard in Managua

Region/Country

THE AMERICAS/Nicaragua

Project Duration

October 2000 – September 2005

Fiscal Year & Funding Level

FY 2000: USD 1,133,830

Problem Addressed

The key problem the project addresses is child labor at dumpsites. Children as young as 5 years old begin working at dumps in the collection, classification, storage, and marketing of garbage. They work long hours and are exposed to hazardous materials, as well as to physical and sexual abuse.

Results

The project withdrew 725 children and prevented 3,826 children aged 5 to 17 years from entering the worst forms of child labor at La Chureca Garbage Dump in the Department of Managua, Nicaragua.

Project Objectives

Development Objective:
To contribute to the immediate eradication of one of the worst forms of child labor in Nicaragua.

Immediate Objectives:

  • At the end of the project, child labor will be eradicated from the La Chureca garbage dump;
  • At the end of the project, a child labor monitoring system will have been established; and
  • At the end of the project, coordination among governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations working on child labor issues will have been strengthened. Government agencies and non-governmental agencies will have been equipped with the skills and understanding to initiate other child labor projects.

Summary of Activities
  • Researched the situation in La Chureca and developed an integrated initiative to combat it;
  • Withdrew and/or prevented children from work in the dumpsite of La Chureca and provided them with educational opportunities, vocational training, and other social services;
  • Provided beneficiary families with alternative income generating activities and/or training;
  • Established a child labor monitoring system;
  • Strengthened coordination among government agencies and non-governmental organizations working on child labor issues, and sensitized and built capacity of these agencies to initiate other child labor projects; and
  • Developed a plan for the elimination of child labor in the other two large urban dumpsites.

Grantee

International Labor Organization’s International Program on the Elimination of Child Labor (ILO-IPEC)

Implementing Partners

Ministries of Education, Culture and Sports, of Health, of Family and of Labor; Mayor's office in Managua; National Technological Institute (INATEC); Institute of Culture; Secretary of Social Action; National Police; UNICEF; World Food Program; The Pastoral Penitenciaria; AVANJUNIC; The Institute for Micro-Enterprises (INPYME); The Foundation of Professionals for Solidarity Development; Samuel Foundation; Commission of Women and Children; Catholic Church.

Contact Information

Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Human Trafficking (OCFT)

(202) 693-4843