Breaking the Cycle: Kyabanati's Fight Against Child Labour

In the village of Kyabanati, located in the Buraru sub county of Hoima district, Talemwa Peter, a 12-year-old boy, found himself caught in the grips of child labour. Living in a household headed by his grandmother, who struggled to support seven children, Peter's family couldn't afford to send all their children to school. This led Peter to drop out of school in 2022, preferring the allure of quick earnings from child labour over education.

Engulfed in hazardous sand mining and sugarcane cutting, Peter toiled tirelessly, sacrificing his schooling for the sake of financial support. However, a ray of hope emerged through the partnership between ECLA and CAPSA. Community volunteers, trained by the CAPSA Project, identified Peter's situation and intervened by rescuing him from the harmful child labour.

Realizing the violation of Peter's rights and the dire need for support, the volunteers, who had been trained and had a good understanding of the issues, provided guidance and counselling to enable Peter return to school. With their assistance, Peter’s family enrolled him in Kyabanati Primary School, where he resumed his education in March 2023.

© ILO

© ILO

Recognizing the systemic challenges faced by families like Peter's, ECLA advised Peter's mother to join community savings and credit schemes. These initiatives not only provided social protection but also facilitated discussions on child protection and welfare within the community. By joining these groups, Peter's family gained valuable skills and resources to safeguard against future vulnerabilities.

Notwithstanding the progress made in the community to appreciate the value of education, they still face many challenges Several children in Kyabanati still juggle between work and school, underscoring the need for continued support and awareness creation.. To address these challenges on a sustainable basis and considering that most parents prefer to send their children to work at the expense of their education, , with support from CAPSA, a bylaw was drafted and enacted by the sub-county council. The bylaw seeks to promote child protection measures and ensure all children are in school and not in exploitative labour.

Led by local council leaders, the Uganda Police, parents, guardians, and children , enforcement of the bylaw is a collective effort to uphold the fundamental rights of children and eradicate child labour in Buraru sub county.

In conclusion, Peter's story epitomizes the transformative impact of collaborative efforts between ECLA and CAPSA. Through their partnership, not only was Peter rescued from the shackles of child labour, but the entire community also witnessed positive changes aimed at securing a brighter future for its children. Peter's dream of becoming a doctor symbolizes the hope and aspirations nurtured through access to education and protection from exploitation.