How children are being saved from working in gold mines

As the global community commemorates World Day Against Child Labour next week, it’s clear there’s still lots of work to do.

Nearly 20,000 children in Burkina Faso, including more than 9,500 girls, worked in mines and quarries in 2014, according to a government survey. So, Christian Children’s Fund of Canada (CCFC), has joined with EDUCO, a Spain-based child-focused organization, on a project to discourage child labour in the African nation.

Beyond the immediate hazards, child labourers risk losing their education and their future. This impacts the nation, notes Hassan Sawadogo, the Governor of the Northern Region of Burkina Faso.

The European Union-supported, two-year project will keep more than 2,500 children from working in traditional gold mines by improving living conditions through Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLAs) activities. The VSLAs will give local families the means to save enough money to start their own businesses. This will give several households an alternative to working in traditional gold mines.

This World Day Against Child Labour, help raise awareness by sharing this post or learning more about our message at childrenbelieve.ca/burkina-faso, facebook.com/childrenbelieveCA or twitter.com/CBelieveCA.

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Children Believe works globally to empower children to dream fearlessly, stand up for what they believe in — and be heard. For 60+ years, we’ve brought together brave young dreamers, caring supporters and partners, and unabashed idealists. Together, we’re driven by a common belief: creating access to education — inside and outside of classrooms — is the most powerful tool children can use to change their world.