Doorstep learning for girls in domestic work

Executive Summary: In Bangladesh, the issue of child labour remains prevalent, with approximately 3.2 million children under the age of 14 engaged in domestic and hazardous work. Despite the government's prohibition on child labour since 2005, the number of child labourers continues to rise. The socio-economic conditions, extreme poverty, and lack of viable alternatives force families to send their children to work. The COVID-19 pandemic and frequent flooding in 2022 have further exacerbated this problem, leading to an increase in child labour and child marriages. Our organization, UKBET, recognizes the urgent need to address this issue and has implemented the Doorstep Learning program to combat child labour and provide educational opportunities for working children. The growing awareness among stakeholders about the illegality and immorality of child labour, as well as the importance of education for every child, has increased the demand for our programs.

Program Description: The Doorstep Learning program specifically targets child domestic workers, who have proven to be a challenging group to identify, engage, and support. Prior to the pilot phase in 2018, there was a noticeable absence of state or NGO interventions for these children. However, through collaboration with the International Domestic Workers Federation and subsequent piloting, we have developed an effective model that has been measured and evaluated over four years.

Impact and Progress: To date, the Doorstep Learning program has successfully engaged and supported 1,193 working children and their families, benefiting a total of 7,158 family members. In 2022, 54% of girls enrolled in the program progressed out of child labour, highlighting the significant positive impact of our intervention. We firmly believe that the Doorstep Learning model is ready to be scaled up nationally, with the potential to contribute significantly to ending child labour in Bangladesh.

Current Status and Achievements: At present, we have 18 dedicated community teachers actively working with 248 children, with girls accounting for 90% of the beneficiaries. This targeted approach ensures that the most vulnerable and marginalized children receive the support they urgently need. By providing access to education and vocational training, we empower children like Parul (not real name), who would otherwise be trapped in a cycle of poverty and exploitation.

Case Study - Parul's (not real name) Story: Parul (not real name), a fictional name representing a real beneficiary, faced the harsh realities of extreme poverty, forcing her to forgo her education and work as a domestic helper. However, thanks to the intervention of UKBET's community teacher, Bushra (not real name), Parul (not real name) was enrolled in the Doorstep Learning project, opening up new educational opportunities for her. Furthermore, with financial support from UKBET, Parul's (not real name) mother started a duck farming business to augment the family's income. Parul's (not real name) dream of returning to school and achieving academic success has been reignited, while her mother aspires to expand the duck farm's income to ensure all her children can access education. UKBET remains committed to supporting Parul (not real name) and her mother in fulfilling their dreams, and we invite you, as a valued donor, to stand with us in this endeavor.

Conclusion: Child labour continues to be a pressing issue in Bangladesh, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and other socio-economic challenges. The Doorstep Learning program has proven to be effective in combating child labour and empowering working children with education and vocational training. By supporting our efforts, you can help transform the lives of children like Parul (not real name), providing them with a brighter future and contributing to the eradication of child labour in Bangladesh. Together, we can make a lasting impact.

Links:

• http://www.facebook.com/ukbet
• Parul(not real name) and her mother's duck farm