A Poisonous Mix - Human Rights Watch

Sikasso region, namely the mines at Kola, Kékoro, Kalankan, and Worognan. 309 Fatimata N.,
an adolescent girl from Burkina Faso who never attended school, told us that she started
gold mining at an early age. She first worked in mining in Burkina Faso, and then came with
her guardians—her aunt and uncle—to Mali to mine gold there. They lived for about a month
in a Kékoro mining site (Bougouni circle), and then moved to Worognan. 310
An education official explained what happens when a new mine is being opened:
Schools turn empty in the area. Children follow their parents [to the mine]….
There is no one at home for them—to eat, you have to follow your parents.
And for the parents, the child is [a] useful worker. 311
Schools in mines seem poorly prepared for the arrival of migrants. One school director told
us that there were no migrant children at all in his school, even though the community had
received several thousand migrants over the previous year. The school had 30 children
enrolled, even though the number of residents was estimated to be above 4,000. 312
Child Laborers Attending School
Some child laborers do go to school. This creates a double burden for the children and
often results in poor school performance. Mory C., an 11-year-old boy from Baroya, told us
about his experience:
In the mine, I transport the ore from the shaft to the panning [place]. When I
come home, I am too exhausted to do my homework. My parents are not
concerned by this. Most often, I have pain in the joints and in the chest. My
father rubs me with shea butter and that is all. 313
Some children cannot keep up with school. Nanfadima A., 11, told us she had to repeat a
class. She worked in the mine during school holidays and after school during the week:
309 Human Rights Watch interview with tomboloma and mayor, Worognan, April 9, 2011; Human Rights Watch interview with
head of Burkinabe community, Worognan, April 9, 2011; Human Rights Watch interview with Angélique M., 16, Worognan,
April 9, 2011; Human Rights Watch interview with local NGO active in Kola mine, February 17, 2011; Human Rights Watch
telephone interview with local government official in Bougouni, March 2011.
310 Human Rights Watch interview with Fatimata N., estimated age 15, Worognan, April 9, 2011.
311 Human Rights Watch interview with Yaya Sogodogo, CAP Director, at group interview with préfet and six officials,
Kolondiéba, April 8, 2011.
312 Human Rights Watch interview with school director, Worognan, April 8, 2011.
313 Human Rights Watch interview with Mory C., age 11, Baroya, April 3, 2011.
67 HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH | DECEMBER 2011