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Cambodia
Families are taught to distinguish between the
types of work through discussion and use of
video materials. Key people are trained to
identify where any of these forms of child
labour is occurring in villages; linkages are
made with the authorities, and reporting
involves children, parents and officials.
Community members who are involved in
training contribute to its quality through
discussion and requests for training or
assistance in similar areas.
Seven networks covering 60,000 people
have been established. Increased awareness
has been evident among the villagers, officials
and volunteers who participate, and cases
have emerged. One example is of three girls
in debt bondage to a distant cousin for $150
their parents had borrowed. The money was
for medical assistance, which was
unsuccessful, and the parents died leaving the
three young girls with the relative. He ran a
brick factory and the children were put to
work making bricks. They had been there for
two years by the time they came to the
attention of a villager who had been trained
in identifying and reporting incidents of child
labour. The village helper was able to get
others involved in the case so that the
children were freed from their debt, and able
to move to live with another relative and
resume a normal life.
The authorities have not charged the man,
but motivating community members to speak
out on issues of child protection, equipped
with a background in what the law provides,
is a significant achievement. It assists a
community to take responsibility for the wellbeing
of its children.
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