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Technical Cooperation Project Summary

PROJECT TITLE

Combating Child Labor Through Education in Central America and the Dominican Republic, “Primero Aprendo”

REGION/COUNTRY

THE AMERICAS/Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua

PROJECT DURATION

August 16, 2004 – March 31, 2009

FISCAL YEAR & FUNDING LEVEL

FY 2004: USD 5,730,000
Matching Funds: USD 809,030

PROBLEM ADDRESSED

Despite varied child labor interventions in Central America, gaps remain in areas such as inter-governmental and inter-ministerial cooperation, the acceptance of child labor as an education issue, and development of education systems that are prepared for and welcoming of working children.

RESULTS

The project withdrew 3,315 children from exploitive child labor and prevented 790 children from entering exploitive child labor in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

To combat exploitative child labor in the region and strengthen government and civil society's capacity to address the educational needs of working children.

Intermediate objectives:

  • Raise awareness of the importance of education and dangers of child labor;
  • Strengthen institutions and policies that address education and child labor; and
  • Strengthen formal and transitional education systems to reintegrate working children and to reduce dropout rates.

SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES
  • Established demonstration projects to withdraw and prevent children from exploitive work in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua;
  • Mobilized parents and communities to participate in education process;
  • Carried out awareness raising through radio and video spots, seminars and media campaigns at the regional, national and local levels;
  • Developed project website, database, and publications for dissemination of lessons learned and good practices;
  • Strengthened existing National Child Labor Commissions, public ministries, the private sector, NGOs, and parents associations; and
  • Promoted use and accreditation of transitional schooling and expanded alternative programs.

GRANTEE

CARE-USA

IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS

Catholic Relief Services, DevTech Systems, Ministries of Labor, Education and Family throughout the region, civil society institutions; and selected NGOs.

CONTACT INFORMATION

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

(202) 693-4843