Initial Project Document: Project for Elimination of Child Labour from Tobacco Farms in Masindi District 2006-2008	29.05.07
			First phase: ECLATU project, 2003-2006

Implementing partner
Implemented by BUCODO an Ugandan NGO; project day-to-day coordination and field activities. Bucodo- Budongo Forests Community Development Organisation - replaced SODECO as coordinating partner in Sept 2008.

Steering Committee composed of
Growers association (UTGA)*, BATU*, National org. of trade unions*, Masindi district* ILO/IPEC*, Trade union movement *, Federation of Uganda Employees, Central ministries (Education & sports; Gender, labour and & social development; local government, agriculture), Uganda Beverage tobacco & allied workers Union.
* Member of the trust

Location
Masindi district (2004-2006: 2 sub-counties, Budongo and Karujubo; 2006 to 2008 12 sub-counties)

Budget
Phase 1 (incl. extension phase), Jan 2004 to June 2008
Total ECLT budget: 927’563 USD, local BATU contribution 77’837 USD
Transition phase: July 2008 to June 2009-03-09 Total ECLT budget: 100’000 USD (+76’400 USD to complete Kyema infrastructure), local BATU contribution 9’300 USD

Objectives of Phase 1

• Increase awareness on issues of child labour in Masindi District and specifically in the two sub county project areas (extended to 10 additional sub-counties in the extension phase)
• Provide sustainable alternatives to child labourers through education and skills development (primary education support and opening of Kyema vocational training institute).
• Reduce school absenteeism as a result of child labour from the initial 25% to 5%
• Reduce the prevalence of child labour to negligible levels at the end of the project

Objectives of Transitional phase (current)

• Good transfer of the project to the government
  • Insure the focus of Kyema institute (accommodate children without a formal
    educational background) is maintained
  • Budget available at district and central government level
  • Consolidate the VCLC and awareness raising activities (re-focus on 5 sub-counties)
  • Nomination of the Kyema Board of Governors (BOG) by the government
  • Complete Kyema buildings

Overall target
Children population estimated in Masindi district: 10% = 21’024
Currently directly reached children 9’077 = 4.3 %

Achievements Phase 1

• Distribution of scholastic material: beneficiaries 8’960 (about 50% boys and 50% girls)
• Children withdrawn (by the child labour committees- from tobacco farms or other): 3’394 children
• Village child labour committees established (200)
• Increased awareness on child labour issue and importance of education:
  • Enrolment in Masindi district: globally good tendency in 2007
    • Enrolment increasing (+5’292 children) and fluctuations are stabilized
    • Initial project area (2 sub-counties): see table below
  • Neighbouring district : Buliisa (-32%) the tendency is different
• More than 200 seminars and training sessions conducted (for tobacco growers, local authorities, CLC)
• Kyema school buildings completed: classes, dormitories, kitchen, dining room:
  • drop out strongly decreased
  • 64% are boarding students (intake 4); great incentive particularly for girls, which represent 25% of the students
  • curricula: Bricklaying, carpentry tailoring, agriculture (6 months)
• Kyema business plan defined and started: building of animal houses, trees nurseries, machines for business activities
• Radio spots, drama in all the sub-counties
• Tool kits for the Kyema graduates and support to orphans (25 enrolled at Kyema)

Enrolment rate since project start

Kyema vocational training inst. (initial project area) enrolment

Achievements Transition Phase:

• Central Government commitment. Excellent collaborative spirit.
• Stakeholders’ agreement on a project concept note.
• Kyema integrated by Min. of Education and Sports (MOES) in the central budget
• BOG nominated and active (ECLATU Trust represented by BATU, growers’ ass. and ILO/IPEC)
• Kyema business manager nominated
• Kyema strategic plan and Kyema business plan are being prepared
• Kyema building completed by March 09
• Project audit done (Aug/Sept 08)

Concerns:

• Focus on children with child labour background maintained after government take-over
• Financial capacity of government to take over the institute management
• Revolving funds for toolkits and to implement. IGA not implemented
• Sustainability of the Village child labour committees

Quick facts last updated: March 2009