Contributing to the Reduction in Worst Forms of Child Labour in Gulu and Wakiso Districts

In November 2013, Huys Link Community Initiative (HUYSLINCI) secured financial support from Cordaid-Netherlands to execute a project towards contributing to the reduction in the worst forms of child labour. The project aimed at complementing efforts towards reduction in worst forms of child labour in Wakiso District perpetrated by child trafficking. In this regard, the project interventions were proposed to be extended to Unyama sub-county of Gulu district in Northern Uganda, and lasted for 1 year.

The project outcomes were:

1. 500 children withdrawn from hazardous work in the fishing communities of Makindye Sabagabo and Kasanje Sub-counties of Wakiso District, and Unyama Sub-county of Gulu District through rehabilitation, provision of psychosocial support and education as survival safety nets.
2. Three hundred (300) children of school going age were reintegrated into formal schools with whom Memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed, while 200 older ones were equipped with marketable vocational skills.2. An interest /needs assessment of the child-beneficiaries made and their choices harmonized along the marketable vocational training courses among older youths. Additionally, a market survey and analysis of marketable vocational skills was conducted with which the interests of child beneficiaries were harmonized. 
3. Community capacity strengthened and participation enhanced to address the challenge of hazardous/worst forms of child labour through awareness creation on hazardous child labour.
4. Consultative and awareness meetings with village councils in the targeted areas held and these spoke about the immediate, medium and long term effects of child labour, the rights and obligations of and towards children, and how to deal with the problem of child labour based on community suggested and conventionally accepted approached to dealing with the challenge.4. Mapped out partners to play a complementary role in the provision of other services to project beneficiaries for project sustainability. We additionally, signed MoUs with local artisans and vocational centres to absorb older children among the beneficiaries identified that were withdrawn from child labour.
5. Households’ ability to effectively deal with the challenges of worst forms of child labour in the targeted communities of Wakiso District was strengthened through social protection measures by making use of an integrated area based approach. As such, 100 most vulnerable households supported with income generating activities identified using   tools developed in a community consultative meeting including poultry, piggery, goat rearing, trade, modern small scale crop production, bricket making, liquid soap making, energy saving stove making, candle making, etc
6. HUYSLINCI’s performing capacity to respond to the evolving needs of all children in difficult circumstances was enhanced mainly through improving the M+E and Governance systems.
   Also, carried out a baseline survey on child trafficking in the war-torn Northern Uganda and its    effects to children’s destiny in hazardous work which informed the choice of approaches to dealing with the problem of child labour in the area.