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Technical Cooperation Project Summary

Project Title

Combating Child Labor Through Education In Zambia - Phase II

Region/Country

AFRICA/Zambia

Project Duration

Phase II: September 30, 2005 – December 31, 2007

Fiscal Year & Funding Level

FY 2005: USD 750,000
FY 2007: USD 74,967.58

Problem to be Addressed

The confluence of extreme poverty, the spread of HIV/AIDS, poor educational infrastructure and harsh economic conditions have resulted in an increase in children engaged in labor in Zambia. To compound the problem, hundreds of thousands of children have been orphaned by AIDS. As a result of these conditions, an estimated 600,000 children are currently not attending school and are working or are at risk of working in agricultural activities, prostitution, street vending, and stone crushing, among other occupations.

Results

The project withdrew or prevented 3,518 children from prostitution, stone-crushing, quarrying and agriculture in Lusaka, Copperbelt, Eastern, and Northwestern. Other targeted populations include parents and caregivers.

Project Objectives

To reduce the incidence of children working in worst forms of child labor in Zambia by ensuring that children withdrawn from three worst forms of child labor are rehabilitated and integrated into the formal educational system.

Intermediate objectives included:

  • Raise awareness of parents, teachers, and children of the importance of education and the effects of child labor;
  • Strengthen JCM community schools as well as transition processes; and
  • Strengthen community committees charged with independently carrying forward the activities in their communities.

Summary of Activities
  • Focused on awareness raising for 10,000 children about child labor;
  • Provided vocational skills training and income generating activities to 1,000 parents/caregivers and 200 youth to enable them to support themselves or the children in their care in school;
  • Provided literacy instruction to 1,000 parents/caregivers;
  • Raised awareness among community members;
  • Built capacity of the Community Committees and the community at large in awareness raising, project design, implementation and monitoring of children at risk or engaged in labor. Capacity building for project sustenance i.e., Income Generating Activities (IGAs) at community level are being proposed; and
  • Further developed relationships with national government and civil society to shape and influence policy on child labor issues.
  • Withdrew or prevented children from prostitution, stone-crushing, quarrying and agriculture.

Grantee

Jesus Cares Ministries

Contact Information

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

(202) 693-4843