On the province of Negros Occidental (Philippines) most children enter into child labor upon graduating from elementary school while some enter at an even younger age for since there is no high school in the area, there is little to no hope of continuing on. While most of the child labor comes from the sugar fields, almost half of these children are subject to the more dangerous forms such as sexual exploitation, mining, pyrotechnics etc. The Philippines, which is home to about 4 million child laborers hopes, with the help of ABK; to be rid of child labor by 2015. ABK which is being put into effect worldwide by World Vision along with many other partners, is hoping to end child labor through education. They have created an open enrollment policy so that the children who do need to work during the harvest season may do so and return to school to finish out their education. As of today, more than 6000 Negros Occidental residents have been kept out of child labor and sent back to school.
I am extremely encouraged to see that this effort is being put forth by so many organizations for this is truly a growing problem. We wonder why countries continue to remain stuck in their ways, never advancing but without an educated young generation nothing will be able to change. Many organizations try to stop child labor by asking for money so that the children do not have to work for the things they need, but in reality this does not work. These children need to be educated as well as fed and clothed. This program seems to me to be on a good track for decreasing child labor if not ending in completely (which may not be possible).
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/aug/25/yehey/prov/20070825pro1.html
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