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WNCB Project Withdraws 1,723 Children from Mines in Karamoja

The Work No Child Business (WNCB) project has significantly transformed the lives of children in the Karamoja region, successfully withdrawing 1,723 children from harsh mining conditions since its inception in 2019. This initiative aims to combat child labor and promote access to education and decent work for youth.

Personal Transformations

Kevin Aleper, a former child laborer, shared her harrowing experience in the mines, where she worked long hours under extreme conditions for minimal pay. After enrolling in a tailoring course through WNCB, her life has dramatically improved. “I now earn between 2,000 and 5,000 shillings a day, which supports me and my family,” she says, urging other children to abandon mining due to its dangers.

Similarly, Emmanuel Elungat, who was forced into labor at a gold pit, found hope through a carpentry course offered by WNCB. He now earns up to 20,000 shillings daily, allowing him to support his family. “I will never return to the mines,” he affirms, emphasizing the detrimental effects of child labor on youth.

Community Impact and Awareness

Community members have praised WNCB for raising awareness about the dangers of child labor. Elder Anthony Loput noted that the project has shifted parental attitudes, leading many to recognize their children's potential for a better future. Teacher Moses Angella highlighted the significant reduction in child labor burdens, stating, “We do not want children to go back to the mines.”

The project also trains para-social workers and has established steering groups to bolster child protection efforts. Carol Kharono, the project’s M&E coordinator, mentioned that of the 1,723 withdrawn children, 886 are girls who have received mentorship and are now enrolled in schools.

Ongoing Challenges

Despite these successes, challenges remain. Food insecurity exacerbated by climate change has led some parents to resort to sending their children into the mines for income. Kharono also noted ongoing insecurity in the region, complicating project implementation.

Joseline Iriama, the project manager, emphasized the importance of keeping children free from hard labor to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 8. “Our goal is to ensure children abandon the mines for school,” she stated.

About the WNCB Project

The Work No Child Business (WNCB) program is a coalition involving Hivos, Save the Children, Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU), Nascent Research and Development Organization (NRDO), and Environmental Women in Action and Development (EWAD). It targets children aged 5 to 18 in Nakapiripirit and Moroto, focusing on eradicating child labor and promoting access to quality education and decent work, aligning with global efforts to combat child labor.