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Technical Cooperation Project Summary

Project Title

Combating Child Labor Through Education in Panama

Region/Country

THE AMERICAS/Panama

Project Duration

August 16, 2004 – August 12, 2008

Fiscal Year & Funding Level

FY 2003: USD 3,000,000

Problem to be Addressed

Many children work in rural and indigenous areas of Panama in such sectors as sugar cane, coffee, melons, and tomatoes, and may be involved in hazardous activities such as use of machetes and pesticides. Estimates indicate that only 55% of working children complete primary school. Indigenous children often miss school in order to work in crop harvests.

Results

The project withdrew 1,021 children from exploitive work in agriculture and prevented 823 children from becoming engaged in such activities in the provinces of Chiriquí, Comarca Ngobe Buglé, Coclé, Veraguas, Herrera, Los Santos, and Darién.

Project Objectives

Development Goal:
To reduce the number of children working in commercial agriculture in rural Panama by promoting children's participation in schooling and vocational training.

Project Objectives:

  • Increase awareness of local, regional and national groups about the problem of child labor in Panama;
  • Strengthen the capacity of educational institutions to adopt strategies to improve the quality of their instruction and reduce child labor; and
  • Collaborate with local, national and international organizations and institutions to promote policies and laws that reduce child labor.

Summary of Activities
  • Offered after-school tutorials and accelerated learning programs for children who have missed schooling;
  • Established "farm schools" at rural work sites;
  • Developed relevant curriculum for rural and indigenous children, such as agro-forestry program;
  • Supported vocational training for adolescents and parents;
  • Conducted public meetings and mass media campaigns to raise awareness; and
  • Promoted government adoption of programs to assist working children.

Grantee

Creative Associates International, Inc.

Implementing Partners

Casa Esperanza, Fundación Tierra Nueva, Centro de Capacitación y Desarrollo Integral

Contact Information

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

(202) 693-4838