Period: April 2008-June 2013

Voluntary Association for Family Welfare & Social Development (VAFWSD)196/1, Shantibagh, Dhaka-1217, E-mail: vafwsd@yahoo.com

‘Promotion Rights & Empowerment of Children Working in Automobile, Lathe and Welding Workshops’ Project

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Voluntary Association for Family Welfare and Social Development (VAFWSD) was established in 1994 by a group of renowned and qualified social workers with a common interest in providing support services and to render all possible help to the suffering of the entire human community.

VAFWSD has been working on human and child rights, elimination of hazardous child labour, formal and non-formal education, water and sanitation, agriculture, health and population, control of STD/HIV/AIDS, human resource development, creation of non-hazardous employment opportunities through skill and vocational training and socio economic development of the underprivileged people with the support of Government of Bangladesh, donors and National and International Non-Govt. Organizations.

Mission:

Development and Capacity Building among community people both urban and rural on water and sanitation, health, nutrition, education, rights, governance, environment, and poverty elimination by providing need- based support and technical assistance.

Vision:

Promotion of a self empowered, democratic, and equitable, self- financed, and self- employed society, free from poverty, hunger and discrimination.

Objectives:

• Gradual elimination of hazardous child labour through non-formal/formal education, vocational and skill development training and creating alternative job opportunities.

• Improvement of environment, general health, safe water supply, hygiene education, hygiene and sanitation status by involving local government.

• Establish child rights/child labour’s rights and gradual elimination of hazardous child labour.• Improvement of women’s status, women empowerment and gender equality.• Prevention of HIV/AIDS and STDs, child and women trafficking. • Environmental protection and regeneration through homestead firming, pisciculture, live stock and plantation.

VAFWSD Working on:

• Awareness raising on rights, governance, safety, future protection, abuse, general health, hygiene, environment, water and sanitation, nutrition, STDs through personal contact, group meeting, open dialogue, seminar, workshop, day observance, round table conference, poster, leaflet and cultural activities.

• Gradual elimination of child labour through centre based non-formal education, mainstreaming, vocational/skill training and creating alternative job opportunities.

• Improvement of water and sanitation status in rural areas, PRA on small scale water resources, health counseling, check up and treatment and arsenic mitigation in rural areas.

• Develop homestead farming, tree plantation and pisciculture.

Office Address: 196/1 Shantibagh, Dhaka- 1217 E-mail: vafwsd@yahoo.comPostal Address: P.O: Shantinagar, Post Code: 1217, Thana: Motijheel, Dhaka-1217Telephone: 88-02-9355695, 9338078 Fax: 88-02-8321085, Cell: 01732966028, 01711676735Contact Person: Dr. Abdul Quaiyum Laskar, Chief Executive, VAFWSD

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AcknowledgementManusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) is an initiative designed to promote ‘human rights’ and ‘good governance’ in Bangladesh. The goal of MJF is improved well-being of poor women, men and children in Bangladesh. It is committed to:

• Promoting voices of people whose rights are being denied and violated.

• Creating social environment in building people’s dignity.

• Channeling isolated, unlinked efforts about human rights and governance into linked and aligned actions.

• Challenging the vested interests and established hierarchies in the society that perpetuate poverty.

To rehabilitate children through elimination of hazardous child labour is one of the major programmes of Manusher Jonno Foundation which is being implemented by its partner organizations. Along with other partner organizations Voluntary Association for Family welfare and Social Development (VAFWSD) has successfully implemented the ‘Promotion Rights and Empowerment of Children Working in Automobile, Lathe and Welding Workshops’ project in 10 Thanas under Dhaka City Corporation and worked in comprehensive way.

According to Child labour Elimination Policy 2010, Government has declared to eliminate hazardous child labour from Bangladesh within 2015. Manusher Jonno Foundation along with its partner organizations has been working to achieve the goal. Besides MJF as advocacy actor coordinate with both government and non-government organizations those are working on child rights issues.

I hope the success of VAFWSD will encourage other organizations to replicate the model of MJF supported project. Thus we want to make a national model for elimination of hazardous child labour which will include some specific components like education, health service, vocational training for above 14 years old children and replace them to non-hazardous job. Considering our socio-economic situation, we wish to build such an environment for children where they will get their rights and be protected from hazardous child labour. If we work together we believe that we will be able to build a child labour free Bangladesh.

Abdulla Al MamunProgram Manager- GovernanceManusher Jonno Foundation (MJF)

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I am very happy to present report on “Promotion Rights and Empowerment of Children Working in Automobile, Lathe and Welding Workshops” project being implemented by Voluntary Association for Family Welfare and Social Development (VAFWSD) with the support of Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF). The project (2nd phase) was implemented at 10 Thanas under Dhaka City Corporation since April 2008 - June 2013 with an aim to promote rights of the children and gradual elimination of child labour working in Automobile, Lathe and Welding workshops in hazardous condition . The overall goal of the project was Child & Human rights of the Automobile, Lathe & Welding Workshop’s child workers protected and gradual elimination of hazardous child labour through creating positive attitude among the relevant workshop owners, parents/guardians and concerned Institutes, Govt./Policy makers, Civil Society, Automobile Owner’s Association and Corporate Sectors.

In Bangladesh about half of the total population is under the poverty line. The children of these poor households do not have access to proper food and required nutrients, shelter, education and health facilities. Considering severity of the problems as stated above, VAFWSD, through its various project interventions, gives much emphasis on children welfare in order to protect human rights and governance. The project focused on reducing of all forms of violence and exploitation of children through promoting their rights and ensuring governance of the concerned workshops. The main focus of the project is to withdrawn the working children from hazardous work, mainstreaming in to formal schools, replace from hazardous to non-hazardous works through vocational training, safe and protect children from hazardous working condition. Through counseling and awareness raising activities we developed good working relation with owners/employers to ensure rights of the working children such as education, health, skill training, conducive environment and recreational facilities and raised voice of the working children to break the silence of exploitation at the work places. The leadership capacities of the child is developed but still beyond the satisfactory level. The management ensures the support of the staff to implement the project smoothly. VAFWSD has developed competency in the areas of social mobilization, good governance and human rights, facilitation of coordination and advocacy for ensuring social justice for the underprivileged child labour of Dhaka City Corporation. The project is effectively activated and developed linkage with other organizations. The project has been able to make the accountable of the owner/employers to the children in dealing with the rights and governance issues.

The achievement of the project became possible for project staff and cooperation of the stakeholders. Thanks to Manusher Jonno Foundation for their continued technical and financial support for this project which we valued very much.

Voluntary Association for Family Welfare and Social Development (VAFWSD) is honoured to be a partner with the Global Fund for Children. We feel proud to work with vulnerable children and youth in creating a brighter future for them. Thanks to our management and staff also for their dedication and every sort of support.

Dr. Abdul Quaiyum LaskarChief Executive, VAFWSD

Name of project: “Promotion Rights and Empowerment of Children Working in Automobile,Lathe and Welding Workshops”

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Background:

In Bangladesh, the gradual migration of the marginalized and underprivileged families from the rural areas to the big cities, particularly in Dhaka, has increased the number of inhabitants, who are living with unstable livelihood. The members of the families have to search for any job for their survival, and have no alternative to choice. Generally, the male members are working as Rickshaw Puller, Day Labourer or other daily income based tasks, which cannot fulfill their daily requirement. For this reason, other family members, particularly the women and children are also engaged themselves in the alternative income generation. In most cases, women are employed as maidservants and the children have to engage in different hazardous works for their livelihood. These families are facing some common setbacks during their life span, especially breakdown of families, lose of parents, shelter, land and facing health problems etc. which makes them most vulnerable in the society.

Under the circumstances, children from these particular vulnerable groups are pushed into the Informal Economic Sectors for complementing and supporting their family income. In many cases, children become main bread earner for their families. As a result, number of working children’s in different informal sectors is alarmingly increasing. It is very difficult to eradicate the Child Labour totally from our country without creating alternative opportunities for them, because the present economic condition of their families does not permit the children to withdraw from different hazardous works.

Considering the situation, Voluntary Association for Family Welfare and Social Development (VAFWSD) implementing the project titled ‘Promotion Rights and Empowerment of Children Working in Automobile, Lathe and Welding Workshops’ for establishing human & fundamental rights of the children working in Automobile, Lathe and Welding workshops. The overall objective of the project is to create a favourable condition for the targeted working children by establishing their rights and access to justice towards the process of fostering human rights culture, replacement from hazardous to non hazardous jobs and gradual elimination of hazardous child labour. Through the project, VAFWSD carried out activities to ensure education, recreation, health, vocational training, mainstreaming, sponsorship and access to justice, safety and security, social discipline and protection at the workplaces and gradual withdrawn from hazardous works.

Problem Analysis :

The children are the future generation, the symbol of our hopes and aspirations. An environment, where people have liberty, practice of democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law, is vital for creating better generation. Bangladesh is one of the poorest countries in the world. The time when a child might be grown-up with affection of parents, they have to go to school, in that time; maximum children of our country go out to arrange their food. Stern reality is that they are far away from their rights of education, treatment, dwelling place, affection-love, amusement and enjoyment. The conditions of the children from the marginalized community are more vulnerable. Poverty forced them to migrate to the big cities for survival. In maximum cases, children of these migrated marginalized families are solving the problem of ‘Lack of Food’ by engaging them in hazardous job. According to their exertion, they are deprived of proper salary and they are being tortured by employer and facing physical, mental and sexual abuse. We observe news on the torture cases in the daily newspaper frequently. Bangladesh has agreed with the Child Rights Charter (CRC) of International Labour Organization and Bangladesh Government developed National Child Labour Elimination Policy-2010 on child labour issues and cabinet committee already passed it.

The main thrust of the project is to build awareness among the working children of Automobiles, Lathe and Welding Workshops and their employers and to promote rights through involving the owners/employers, parents/guardians, civil society and corporate sectors, policy makers for advocacy at different levels.

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Goal of the project:Child & Human Rights of the Automobiles, Lathe & Welding Workshop’s child workers protected through creating positive attitude among the concerned Institutes, Policy makers, Civil Society, Corporate Sector, Associations, Parents/guardians, relevant owners of automobile, lathe and welding workshops.Objective:State of Education, Recreation, Health, Vocational Training, Safety measures, Protection, Access to justice, Involvement of Corporate Sectors and Social discipline are being improved for the working children of Automobiles, Lathe & Welding Workshops.Output/Outcomes of the project: • At the end of the program the working children of automobile, lathe & welding workshops will be aware

about child and human rights and their rights will have been protected by the owners and concerned authorities through advocacy and awareness raising.

• At the end of the program the level of non- formal / formal education/life skill of 3000 working children will be increased, vocational skill developed, better opportunities created, essential health services and hygiene education will have been ensured.

• At the end of the program safety, security, future protection, healthy working environment, sanitation and pure drinking water facilities have been created for 3000 working children of automobile, lathe and welding workshops.

• At the end of the program, the involvement of Corporate Sectors will have been increased to sponsor of their social responsibilities for the working children of Automobile, Lathe and Welding Workshops.

Working Strategies:

Awareness Raising (Preventive) Withdrawn/Reassign fromhazardous works

Conducive working condition

♦ Awareness raising of owners/ employers about child rights and hazardous child labour through personal contact, open dialogue & training.

♦ Awareness raising of parents to prevent and protect child workers from hazardous works through open dialogue and personal contact.

♦ Awareness raising of child workers through NFE or personal contact and health counselling.

♦ Awareness raising of mothers on rights & child health care.

Main Activities up to 14 years child workers:• Awareness raising on child rights, human rights, hazardous child labour, right to information, health hazards,

general health and protection from sexual transmitted diseases at the time of work. • Access to non-formal and pre primary education with recreational facilities.• Withdrawn of children from hazardous works and mainstreaming in to formal schools and provide tutorial

services for them. Arrange sponsorship for better/continuing education of child workers.• Vocational training of mothers and material/equipment support to supplement the income of their

mainstreamed/withdrawal working children. • Awareness raising of mothers of mainstreamed and working children on child rights, hazardous child labour,

general health and child health care through MCH training.

♦ Withdrawn from hazardous works and mainstreamed into formal education after or without NFE.

♦ Organized vocational training for mothers to supplement the income and continue education of their child.

♦ Reassigned child workers from hazardous to non-hazardous/less hazardous works in same sectors.

♦ Reassigned child workers from hazardous to non- hazardous works through vocational training, self employment and job placement.

♦ Organized special vocational training for family members of child workers.

♦ Increase participation/ involvement of owners & corporate sectors to protect child worker’s rights.

♦ Obey Code of Conduct by the service providers and create conducive working environment.

♦ Financial contribution of owners/ local businessmen to sustain education programme of chid workers.

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Activities for above 14 years to below 18 years child workers:

• Withdrawn from hazardous works through Vocational Training, job placement, self employment.• Reassign of child workers from hazardous to non hazardous works in same sectors. • Access to non-formal and formal education.• Awareness raising through MPC on child rights, human rights, hazardous child labour, right to information,

health hazards, general health and protection from transmited diseases and protection at the time of work. • Create conducive working environment, obeying Code of Conduct by the owners/employers and protection of

child workers by ensuring safety materials.

For sustainability

• Increase community involvement and collection of financial contribution from owners/employers/businessmen to sustain the education program of child workers.

• Sponsorship for better and continuing education of child workers.• Positive change in the lives of child workers and their family members.

Geographic Coverage of Project:

Khilgaon, Badda, Tejgaon, Motijheel, Paltan, Jatrabari, Sabujbagh, Sutrapur, Lalbagh and Ramna Thana under Dhaka City Corporation.

Target Groups/Direct Beneficiaries:

• The direct beneficiaries of the project are 3000 (Three thousand) children of below 18 years working in 800 Automobile, Lathe and Welding Workshops of 10 Thanas under Dhaka City Corporation.

Indirect Beneficiaries:

• Parents/guardians and family members of targeted 3000 child workers. The project personnel will approach a certain portion of them.

Primary Stakeholders:

• The 800 (Eight hundred) owners of the Automobile, Lathe and Welding Workshops.

Secondary Stakeholders:

Automobile Owner’s Association, influential people, Vocational Training Institute, law enforcing agencies, teachers of formal schools, health and education service providing organizations, corporate sectors, local businessmen, Commissioners of Dhaka City Corporation, media personnel, related NGO workers etc. those who are positively or negatively involved with the project will be the secondary stakeholders.

Major Achievements of the Project :

• 1316 child workers withdrawn from hazardous works and mainstreamed in to 130 formal schools and they received books and other facilities from the schools. Among them 1118 are continuing their education regularly. VAFWSD provided education material and tutorial services for them at 10 Multi Purpose Centres.

• 5855 child workers completed basic literacy through centre based non-formal education program and now they are able to read and write.

• A total of 319 owners/local businessmen have contributed Tk. 6, 54,250 to sustain the education program.

• 87 mainstreamed child workers are sponsored by the owners/employers to continue their education.

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• Developed and published 2700 copies Amader Boi by VAFWSD for NFE program and provided 500 copies to NABOLOK, Tongi and 200 copies to Sonar Bangla Foundation, Jhenaidha, 8 copies to MJF funded project of CPD, Mohammadpur for their NFE program.

• Organized non hazardous vocational training for 457 child workers and provided them equipment support. They initiated self employment and earning in average Tk. 4000-5000 per month.

• 467 child workers are reassigned from hazardous to non-hazardous works.

• 471 vulnerable children of targeted families completed vocational training on 6 trades through VTVC program and most of them initiated self employment and earning in average Tk. 5000 per month.

• 3027 child workers withdrawn from hazardous jobs by mainstreaming 1316, vocational training 457 and through counseling 1254.

• Through this project, awareness raised among the child workers on their rights, use of safety materials, general health, salary, working hour, working environment, personal hygiene, infectious diseases, better earning and better life.

• Organized Training for 450 owners/employers on child rights and hazardous child labour and National Child Labour Elimination Policy.

• Developed and printed 1000 copies of Code of Conduct with message, photographs of owners, name and location of workshops and distributed at targeted workplaces. 668 owners are following the Code of Conduct and the rest of them are partially following. So exploitation of child workers have been reduced than before.

• Developed and distributed first aid box at 800 Workshops and 10 MPCs to prevent serious harm.

• 260 mothers of targeted child workers became aware on rights and maternal child health care.

• Increased use of safety material at the time of work to minimize hazard and risk condition. After demonstration most of the owners provided safety materials at their workshops.

• All child workers became under use of safe drinking water facilities.

• All child workers came under health check up and counselling program. Child workers now taking care about personal cleanliness/ hygiene, use of safe water and sanitation facilities. As a result reduced illness and improved health.

• To raise mass awareness observed World Day Against Child Labour, International Human Rights Day, National Children’s Day individually and jointly by 5 organizations. A total of 2500 child workers, employers, elites and project staffs participated in those program and mass awareness raised on child rights, hazardous child labour and elimination of child labour among the child workers, owners, guardians and mass people.

• Organized 236 Open Dialogue with parents, guardians, owners, associations and child workers of automobile, lathe and welding workshops and awareness raised on child rights & hazardous child labour.

We want to do hazard free works Not in work, we wish to go school Voice raise We want conducive workingenvironment

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VAFWSD established 10 Multi Purpose Centres (MPC) and 1 sub centre to provide non-formal education through recreation to the targeted working children. MPCs were established in the catchments of project areas and close to the Automobile, Lathe and Welding Workshops. Assigned Field Organizer and Teacher cum MPC In-charge is mainly responsible for non-formal education and other activities of MPC from 9 AM to 5 PM. The child workers attend at MPC within 9 AM to 5 PM according to their suitable time for NFE, tutorial services for preparation of school task, recreation, cultural activities, training and awareness rising on health, rights and protection. VAFWSD developed a Book named “Amader Boi” for NFE students, purchased and supplied story and learning books in each MPC. Project staff provided tutorial services for mainstreamed children before and end of formal school time. The MPCs were used for cultural events, recreational activities, indoor games, health check up, health service, satellite clinic, vaccination camp, meeting and vocational training for child workers, their mothers and awareness training for owners. VAFWSD already established linkages with 130 Educational institutions in which 53 were government institutions. For better education and to eliminate hazardous child labour a total of 1316 interested child workers were mainstreamed at formal schools and among them 1118 children are continuing their education regularly.• 5855 child workers received non-formal education• 1316 child workers mainstreamed in to schools• 965 mainstreamed children received tutorial service• 87 mainstreamed child workers are sponsored by the owners/employers.

For promotion rights and well being of the child workers VAFWSD was provided non-formal education, pre-schooling services at 10 Multi Purpose Centres (MPC). A total of 1316 working children withdrawn from hazardous works and mainstreamed in to formal schools after providing NFE & pre-schooling services. Among mainstreamed child workers 1118 are attending school regularly. To continue study and schooling of those underprivileged children, with the support of MJF, VAFWSD provided school dress (shirt & pant), keds, school bag, books, khata, pen, pencil, eraser and other education materials among them. Every year VAFWSD organized a distribution ceremony of school dress & other education materials among children. A Total of 690 disadvantaged mainstreamed children were given school dress and other materials. Md. Ashraful Alam, Director (Finance & Administration), Abdulla Al Mamun, Program Manager, MJF was present as guest in these distribution ceremony. Education materials helps mainstreamed vulnerable working children to continue their education.

Non-Formal Education, Mainstreaming & Tutorial Services Education Material and School Dress Distribution

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Voluntary Association for Family Welfare and Social Development (VAFWSD) with the support of Manusher Jonno Foundation organized vocational training for child workers aiming to replace them from hazardous to non hazardous jobs which will helpful for a secure life of these underprivileged children. VAFWSD provided vocational training for 394 child workers. Among them 258 children received mobile servicing training, 92 children received tailoring training, 14 children received basic computer training and 30 children received training on repair of refrigerator & air condition. All the children were placed in alternative job through these skill training. Among the trainees who attended training regularly and completed successfully, they were given equipment support from VAFWSD-MJF project. Total 150 children were given equipment support in which 100 children received mobile servicing equipments which included ‘Hot Air Gun, D/C power supply, AVO Meter, Quick Charger, Tool Box, Servicing Board, Table Lamp, Tatal, Led, Coil, Paste, Rojon, Tatal stand and Thinner’. On the other hand, sewing machines were distributed among 20 children and refrigerator & air condition repairing equipments were given to 30 trainees. Now the children are working at different shops and different markets. Some of them initiated self employment individually or with partnership and they are earning average Tk.5000 per month. Some of them are working at their home also. After being replaced from hazardous to non hazardous job these child workers have discovered a new sphere of life where they are satisfied to work and determined to build a bright future.

Through the project VAFWSD provided health counselling, awareness rising on general health, health hazards, safety measures, essential health services, check up and treatment of child workers and their family members. Emergency patients of child workers were referred to the hospital/clinics for better treatment. Paramedic and other project staff also motivated the child workers and owners for safe drinking water and to improve working environment and sanitation facilities. VAFWSD provided 810 first aid boxes with essential medicine to the targeted workshops and MPCs for emergency and primary treatment. VAFWSD also developed linkages with Simantic, PSTC, CWFD, Nari Moitry and other some health service providing organizations and provided health cards for free treatment and other health services.

The Paramedic of this project provided regular check up, treatment, organized blood grouping, awareness raising sessions on health, hygiene and preventive diseases at MPCs, sub-centres and at some selected workshops.

The following services were provided:

• 6903 Child workers provided health counselling.• 4251Child workers provided check up & treatment.• 510 Child workers referred for better treatment.• 2073 child workers completed blood grouping.

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VAFWSD always tries to stay with underprivileged children and their families. On that point of view, in the month of December and January from 2009 to 2013 when the severe cold/cold storm blows all over the country, VAFWSD provided 2500 pieces of warm clothes (woolen sweater) among the vulnerable targeted working children of automobile, lathe & welding workshops of 10 thanas under Dhaka City Corporation with the support of Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF). Chief Executive, VAFWSD, Project Coordinator, respective project staff, Automobile Owners, Association members, parents of child workers and local elites were present in the distribution ceremony organized at 10 Thanas.

• 2500 Child workers received warm cloths.

With the support of Manusher Jonno Foundation, VAFWSD organized vocational training on Tailoring (Sewing & Cutting) and Carchupi for mothers of those child workers who were enrolled/mainstreamed in formal schools leaving hazardous job of automobile, lathe and welding workshops. To decrease the dropout rate from schools and maintain the educational cost of children, VAFWSD took initiative to provide vocational training for mothers, so that they can be involved with income generating activities and contribute the family. Already 200 mothers completed vocational training, among them 119 mothers have completed tailoring training in Jatrabari, Sutrapur, Moddha Badda, Baridhara, Lalbagh, Khilgaon, Ramna and Sabujbagh Multi Purpose Centres (MPCs) and 81 mothers completed Carchupi training at Khilgaon, Ramna, Tejgaon, Motijheel and Sabujbagh thana. A total of 167 successful trainees were given equipments support. Among them 93 mothers were given sewing machine for tailoring and 74 mothers were given Carchupi frame. After completion of training all mothers became involved with income generating activities in particular trade and initiated earning. Many of them are contributing in the family and providing educational cost of their children. They are determined to keep continue their child’s education. • 119 Mothers of mainstreamed children completed

Tailoring Training and initiated self employment. • 81 Mothers of mainstreamed children completed

Carchupi Training and initiated self employment.

Warm Cloth Distribution Mother’s Vocational TrainingAnd Self Employment

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To promote child rights and create mass awareness and gradual elimination of hazardous child labour observed World Day Against Child Labour, International Human Rights Day and National Children’s Day from 2008-2013 by VAFWSD and three times jointly observed World Day Against Child Labour with ‘Aparajeyo Bangladesh’, ‘Community Participation and Development (CPD)’ ‘SOHAY’ and ‘Nobolok’ with the support of Manusher Jonno Foundation.

Different events were organized for observance of the above mentioned days like art competition, rally, colorful human chain with t-shirt, placard, festoon and banner demanding for ‘establishing child rights, implementation of Child Labour Elimination Policy 2010, including domestic work as hazardous child labour and elimination of worst forms of child labour’. Organized discussion session, training equipment distribution, prize giving ceremony and cultural programme with the participation of child workers, street and underprivileged children.

Mr. Arun Kanti Aich, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment, Mrs.Tahmina Begum, NDC, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Mr. Nurun Nabi Talukder, Director General of NGO Affairs Bureau, Mr. M. Hamid, a renowned freedom fighter and CEO of ‘R’ TV, at present Director General of BTV, Shaheen Anam, Executive Director, Ms. Farzana Naim, Director, Governance, Mr. Abdulla Al Mamun, Programme Manager of Manusher Jonno Foundation, Chief Executive/Executive Directors of 4 organizations, Leaders of Automobile Owner’s Association, employers, parents guardians of working children and project staffs were present in the observance programs. Through these observance program mass awareness have been created on child rights and elimination of hazardous child labour.

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With the support of Manusher Jonno Foundation, VAFWSD along with other MJF supported three Organizations named Aparajeyo Bangladesh, Community Participation and Development (CPD) and SOHAY implemented the project ‘Vocational Training for Vulnerable Children’ (VTVC) aiming to develop vocational skill of vulnerable, street children of 14 to below 18 years working in hazardous sectors and create opportunity for non hazardous jobs, self employment and increase their family income. On behalf of 4 organizations VAFWSD coordinated the implementation of this program. A total of 1291 children of above mentioned four organizations were received training on ten trades under this project. The trades were Mobile Servicing (Hardware & Software), Tailoring (Sewing & cutting), Carchupi, Block, Batique & screen print, Machine Embroidery, Plumbing, Food & Beverage, Jute Crafts, Graphics Design and Industrial (Garments) Sewing. Among those, VAFWSD provided training on Mobile Servicing (Hardware & Software), Tailoring (Sewing & Cutting), Carchupi, Block, Batique & screen print, Machine Embroidery and Industrial (Garments) Sewing for 471 vulnerable children and provided equipment support among them.

VAFWSD organized equipment distribution ceremony at Baridhara J Block, Badda, Mahboob Ali Institute, Shahjahanpur, Agrani Jubo Sangha, Jatrabari, Lalbagh, Rasulbagh & Khilgaon MPC. In that distribution ceremony Md. Ashraful Alam, Director (Finance & Administration), MJF, Abdulla Al Mamun, Program Manager, MJF, Leaders of Bangladesh Automobile Owner’s Association, owners, Ward Commissioners, local elites, parents and guardians of children and project staff were present.

VTVC implementing four organizations jointly organized day observance and equipment distribution program at The Engineers Institution, Bangladesh on 12 June 2013. As chief guest Honorable Minister Mr. Hasanul Haque Inu, Ministry of Information, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh could not present in the programme due to unavoidable circumstances. As special guests Mr. Nurun Nabi Talukder, Director General of NGO Affairs Bureau and Shahin Anam, Executive Director of Manusher Jonno Foundation and chief of 4 organizations were present in the programme and distributed equipment and training certificate among the trainees.

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To share the implementation status of the project activities, elimination of hazardous child labour, establish linkage with the owners, increase participation of civil society, elites, guardians/parents and Association members, to minimize the field problems and to increase the cooperation and smooth implementation of the project activities organized 236 open dialogues at 10 Multi Purpose Centres. President and members of Badda Thana and Bangladesh Automobile Owner’s Association, owners/employers, parents, guardians, local elites and child workers were present in the open dialogues. Project Coordinator and senior project staff of VAFWSD briefed the project activities in the open dialogues and seek their continuous support/cooperation to implement the project activities smoothly. As because, they can play an important role for increasing the NFE coverage of child workers and sponsorship for continuous education of mainstreamed children. The participants thanked VAFWSD management for sharing the status of child rights project implementation and requested to MJF authority to continue the project activities in wide ranging areas under Dhaka City Corportion. Through the open dialogue minimized field problems, increased cooperation and involvement of stakeholders, improved working environment and increased financial contribution to sustain the education program of working children.

As ongoing activities of the project VAFWSD organized one day orientation/training for Automobile, Lathe & Welding workshop owners on Child Rights, Hazardous Child Labour, National Child Labour Elimination Policy and Right to Information Act 2009’. A total of 450 owners/owner’s representatives of 10 thanas under Dhaka City Corporation attended in the training. The training was conducted as participatory way like lecture, discussion, demonstration, brain storming and question-answer. Dr. Abdul Quaiyum Laskar, Chief Executive, VAFWSD inaugurated the training programme and welcomed all owners to receive the training completely. Project Coordinator, Senior Officer (Ad. & Doc.), Programme Officers, Field Organizers facilitated the training. After introduction detail discussion was held on VAFWSD and its goal, mission, vision, objectives; VAFWSD-MJF project activities; human rights & child rights; UNCRC; child rights’, ‘hazardous child labour’, ‘national child labour elimination policy’ and right to information act 2009’. At end of the training, the participants expressed their opinion about the training. They conveyed gratitude to VAFWSD management for organizing such a training program for owners through which they became able to gather knowledge on different issues related to child rights and child labour. They raised their voice to be united to protect children from hazardous child labour and follow the Code of Conduct to promote rights of working children.

Open Dialogue Training of Owners/Employers

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Manusher Jonno Foundation organized Human Rights Mela (fair) at Mohsin Hall play ground of Dhaka University on 10-12 December 2011 and VAFWSD participated in the fair. In VAFWSD stall the products/materials/information were displayed like Newsletter, Book ‘Amader Boi’, display board of project activities, Poster cum Calendar, Code of Conduct, Photograph of various events, School Bag with message, Khata with message, Diary, First aid Box with message, safety materials used in work place, Wall Calendar made by working children, Drawing of working children, multimedia presentation on project activities and video documentary, Blood Grouping Programme, Demonstration of Vocational Training, Publication of VAFWSD and leaflet on project activities. Through this fair (mela) mass awareness raised on child & human rights issues.

A ‘Face book Group’ mainly students of college and universities celebrated Mango Festival of street and vulnerable children through distribution and feeding mangoes of underprivileged children. The face book group provided 1200 mangoes among 600 vulnerable working children of Motijheel, Sabujbagh, Jatrabari, Sutrapur, Khilgaon, Tejgaon, Maddhya Badda and Baridhara J Block Multi Purpose Centres (MPC) of VAFWSD-MJF project. They moved in different working areas of VAFWSD by truck and distributed mangoes among children. The children were delighted getting juicy mangoes, the king of fruits. The students were also happy to celebrate mango festival with these disadvantaged children. PC and other respective project staff were present in mango festival.

Participation in Human Rights Mela

Mango Festival of Children

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To exchange and share idea, views and experience in the field of child rights project, Executive Director, PC/PM, project staffs and child rights committee members and other stakeholders of AVAS, Advisor and project staffs of NOBOLOK and project staffs of CPD and SOHAY visited the activities of ‘Promotion Rights and Empowerment of Children Working in Automobile, Lathe and Welding Workshops’ project implemented by VAFWSD with the support of Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF). The team visited MPCs, Non Formal Education Program, Tutorial Services, vocational training of targeted children, their mothers and vocational training of vulnerable children (VTVC), health services, blood grouping, cultural and recreational activities, formal schools where child workers mainstreamed and they also visited workshops and hazardous working conditions. They discussed with child workers, employers and exchanged ideas and experiences with VAFWSD-MJF project staffs and other stakeholders. The team enjoyed cultural program organized by working children.

VAFWSD staff visited child rights activities of MJF partner Solidarity, Kurigram and Dr. Abdul Quaiyum Laskar, Chief Executive, VAFWSD visited various projects on child rights of Baroda Citizens Council at Vadodara district, Ahmedabad under Gujrat State and he also visited Salaam Baalak Trust and PRAYAS at New Delhi. Salaam Baalak Trust is an organization which has Automobile and street based intervention program that began working with child workers of Automobile Workshops and street children in and around New Delhi Railway Station.

During the project period every year VAFWSD organized annual sports, art and cultural competition and prize giving ceremony for targeted child workers of 10 thanas with the support of Manusher Jonno Foundation at various venues. In this program organized documentary film shows, art competition, indoor games like carom, Ludu, Daba and sports like biscuit run, morog lorai, musical chair, memory test and cultural competition. At the end of the competition organized prize giving ceremony among the winners. Renowned personal were present as Chief and Special Guest. Dr. Abdul Quaiyum Laskar, Chief Executive of VAFWSD chaired in the discussion and prize giving ceremony.

With the support of MJF, VAFWSD organized three days training for mothers of targeted working children with the aim of awareness raising on women and child rights, mother and child health care, health hazards, elimination of hazardous child labour and other related issues. The title of the training was ‘Rights, Mother & Child Health Counseling’ training. During project period a total of 260 mothers of targeted children participated in this three days training which helps to prevent their children from hazardous child labour.

Idea Sharing Visit of MJF Partner Organizations & others

Annual Sports and Cultural Cmpetition Rights & MCH Training for Mothers

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Analysis of Project Impact• Some positive changes have been made in daily life of child workers like regular use of safe drinking water,

cutting of nail, regular bath, wear of clean dress, wash hand before meal, taking fresh food, stopped taking open food, regular brush of teeth and most of them are leading healthy life.

• Working children became aware on essential health care, health hazards, general health and hygiene, and common diseases and they became able to protect/prevent them from professional health hazards.

• Among 1316 mainstreamed children 1118 are continuing their education successfully. Local elites/businessmen took responsibility of 87 children’s education. Vocational Training of mothers created alternative income source which prevent drop out and also this will be helpful to continue education of their mainstreamed child workers.

• Vocational training of child workers creates opportunity for non-hazardous works. After receiving vocational training and equipment support child workers initiated self employment and they are earning better and gradually increasing their income and solvency of their family.

• The owners also provided places (where needed) for sub centres, open air school to run the NFE program where MPC is far from the workplaces.

• During project period a good linkage established with the owners, Automobiles Owner’s Association members of Thana Committee, parents/guardians and child workers and fruitful recommendation/ suggestions received through open dialogue and personal contact which became helpful to replace child workers in non-hazardous jobs/withdrawn from hazardous child labour.

• Positive attitude of owners and elites indicates the sustainability of the project activities and gradual elimination of hazardous child labour.

• Owners/employers are following the Code of Conduct, improved working environment and reduced financial, physical and sexual abuse of child workers.

• Income increased of 471 families and improved social status and dignity through Vocational Training for Vulnerable Children (VTVC) program. Reduced illness for regular drinking of safe water, use sanitary latrine, cleanliness, regular check up and treatment.

• Increased use of first aid box immediate after accident, so escaped from serious harm.• VAFWSD initiated blood grouping of 2073 child workers and senior workers/secondary stakeholders and

developed blood donor group in some areas to face the emergency. • Awareness developed and voice raised of the vulnerable child workers and reduced exploitation at work place

and outside the community.• Increased bargaining capacity of child workers about salary, working hour and working environment.• Participatory project management system, policies and procedures allowed the development of ownership

among the staff and resulted in getting them highly motivated. • Through implementation of this particular project VAFWSD has gained enhanced competency in the areas of

social mobilization, good governance and human rights, facilitation of coordination and advocacy for ensuring social justice for the underprivileged working children.

Capacity Development of VAFWSD:

• Developed organizational capacity for project management and financial management and transparent accounting system.

• Developed and updated various Policies and now all policies are in practice.• Developed capacity of VAFWSD staff. • Strengthen Good Governance & Human Rights Initiatives.• Developed capacity for exercising Right to Information Act-2009.• The management ensures the support of the staff to implement the project smoothly.

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• Description of institutional linkages resulting from the project, forming networks with other NGOs, information dissemination and sharing:

• VAFWSD has established linkages with MJF partners like CWFD (Concerned Women for Family Development), PSTC (Population Services & Training Centre) and Simantic for health and other support for working children.

• Network developed with the education and health service providing organizations/Institutions.• Through the project opportunity created about access to information.• Four organizations jointly implemented Vocational Training for Vulnerable Children (VTVC) program for

1291 children.• SOHAY, CPD, NOBOLOK, AVAS visited VAFWSD-MJF project activities and VAFWSD staff visited

Solidarity. Chief Executive of VAFWSD visited child rights activities in India. • MJF supported 5 organizations jointly observed World Day Against Child Labour-2011, 2012 & 2013.• Organizational and staff capacity increased involving with the project: • Increased knowledge of project staff on human rights, governance, child rights, hazardous child labour, and

child labour elimination policy-2010, RTI and implementation of project activities.

Lesson learned from the Project:

• Awareness raising of child workers, parents and employers on hazardous child labour, child labour elimination policy and child rights issues is very much helpful to reduce the child labour.

• Centre based non-formal education with recreation, pre-schooling services, mainstreaming in to formal schools and tutorial services for mainstreamed children is appropriate strategy for prevention and elimination of hazardous child labour.

• After receiving vocational training and equipments support the mothers of mainstreamed child workers initiated self employment which prevented drop out of mainstreamed child workers from their education.

• The stakeholder’s involvement, financial contribution of owners/employers of children for education program and their positive attitude indicates the sustainability of the project activities.

• Vocational training for vulnerable children which initiated by 4 organizations with the support of MJF created hazard free self employment opportunities and it became helpful to prevent derail ness of children of targeted families and it also became helpful for income raising, education program of child workers and gradual elimination of hazardous child labour.

Conclusion :

The 2nd phase project named “Promotion Rights and Empowerment of Children Working in Automobile, Lathe and Welding Workshops” was started in April 2008 with the support of MJF at 10 thanas under Dhaka City Corporation to establish rights, withdrawn from hazardous works through non-formal education, mainstreaming into formal schools, skill development, self employment and reassigned from hazardous to non hazardous works. VAFWSD became able to create conducive environment at workplaces following Code of Conduct by owners/employers. Employers, local businessmen financially contributed to sustain the education program for working children. VAFWSD implemented the project activities successfully from April 2008 to June 2013 and gained knowledge, experiences and developed organizational capacities for better implementation of child rights project. The support provided to VAFWSD by MJF has successfully been utilized through effective implementation of the project interventions.

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Visit of Project Activities by Distinguished Visitors

From top & left to right:❏ Sayeeda Touhid Selim, Economic Advisor of DFID along with A. Mamun, PM, MJF visited on 14 July 2009.❏ Ms. Allison, DFID Consultant, visited on 11 August 2012 with A. Mamun, MJF.❏ Ms. Nafiza Ziauddin, EA, Country Reprasantative, DFID Bangladesh, A deligate of British High Commissioner, Mr.

Moniruzzaman, DFID, Bangladesh along with A. Mamun, MJF visited on 7 July 2010.❏ Ping Wang and Eugene Cha, Chairperson & Supervisor of China Social Empowerment Foundation along with A. Mamun

visited on 25 August 2010. ❏ Mr. Tilok Kumar, Joint Managing Director, The Printers (Mysore) Pvt. Limited Bangalore, India on 18 April 2011. ❏ Stuart Barnes, DFID London, Ms. Schoastica Gomes and Ms. Zehra, DFID Bangladesh along with A. Mamun, MJF

visited on 15 March 2010.❏ Ms. Dorota Porawaska, student, Western Reserve University, Ohio, USA visited on 25 July 2010.❏ Prof. Salauddin Anisuzzaman, DFID Conaulstant visited on 11 May 2011 with S.M. Zubair Ali Khan, Advisor, M & E, MJF.❏ Ms. Lara Griffith, DFID OPR Team Member along with A. Mamun visited on 14 May 2012❏ Farzana Naim, Director (Governance), MJF visited project activities on 14 February 2011. ❏ Dr. Shamim Imam, Director, MJF along with Md. Moinul Haque, Washiur Rahman Tonmoy and A.N.M.Mortoza visited

on 12 January 2011 for Study on NGO Governance. ❏ Mr. Habibur Rahman Molla, MP of Demra-Jatrabari Thana visited activities and distributed cloths among child workers.

Some Positive Changes for Project InterventionReassigned

With the support of Manusher Jonno Foundation, VAFWSD withdrawn child workers like Shipon, Manik, Jony, Raihan and Imran from hazardous work and replaced in non hazardous job by receiving vocational training and equipment support. They have created self employment and earning average Tk. 5,000.00 per month and at the same time they are contributing in their families.

Now I do non-hazardous work in same sector. Note: VAFWSD reassigned 467 child workers from hazardous to non /less hazardous works.

VAFWSD mainstreamed 1316 child workers at formal schools. Among them 1118 are regular and their result is satisfactory.

Employers became positive and they contributed Tk. 654,250 for education program & 87 child workers were sponsored.

We are the children with disability. We worked in welding workshops before. After completing Mobile Servicing training we have initiated self employment. Now we are earning average Tk. 5,000 per month.

Now the child workers work in conducive working environment. Now 85% employers obey the Code of Conduct.

Painting skill developed and owned prize & certificates from painting competition organized by VAFWSD and others.

Sports and cultural skill of child workers developed and they formed sports & cultural groups. They participated in sports & cultural competition and functions and owned prizes.

Through VTVC program VAFWSD provided vocational training & equipment support to 471 vulnerable children & they initiate self employment.

Now we drink safe water and use sanitary Latrine. VAFWSD ensured 100% safe water & sanitation facilities at work places for us (child workers).

Now we are self employed Overcome disability Code of ConductConducive Environment

Child workers visited Lalbagh Fort, National Museum, Zoo, Novo Theater & Libaration War Museum and learned about these.

Voluntary program to develop English language of child workers

Child workers participated in I n t e r n a t i o n a l Children’s Film Festival. Now they are willing to develop documentary film on child rights issues.

“Promotion Rights and Empowerment of Children Working in Automobile, Lathe and Welding Workshops’ Project

Report Prepared by : Md. Jasim uddin Akanda, Project Coordinator

Implemented by: VAFWSD Supported by: Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF)

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• Child workers participated in Chaichi Tomar Bandhuta, a TV program• Child workers participated in a discussion session on RTV with Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury.