Vulnerable Children Fund
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IMPACT REPORT / 2019
Sharina wins blackmail child labour case Thanks to your gifts, 15-year-old Sharina* helped her fellow classmate Ahnaf* escape an abusive employer. Like so many children in Bangladesh, Ahnaf worked to help bring in income for his family. But his timber shop employer refused to let him attend school and tried to blackmail him. Sharina says, “Ahnaf had no time to study but has lots of interest to go to school and wish to get good result. He tried to go to school but the boss not let him leave the business... So the boss treat him as a thief and said, “I will tell the police that you stole 15,000 taka if you do not return to my shop.” “When she heard about this, Sharina protested on Ahnaf ’s behalf.” She told Ahnaf ’s boss about child protection laws and that what he was doing was
Sharina (pictured at front) used to be a “quiet, conservative girl” but now she’s standing up against child labour.
wrong. She challenged him saying, “You may call police and I will also make a call to police. Let’s see to whom the police respond.” Another community member told the boss the law was on Ahnaf’s side. “Ahnaf is a child, you cannot force him to work in your shop.” The boss was forced to back down but he complained to Sharina’s uncle about her defiance. Thankfully, her uncle supported Sharina’s stance on child rights. Now Ahnaf is back at school and has passed his junior school exam. Thanks to your
DID YOU KNOW? Child labour incidents in Uganda more than halved from 56% to 26% between 2013 and 2018
generosity, vulnerable children like him get their education... instead of being forced to work. Sharina is president of her child club. “These clubs raise up child leaders like Sharina and teach them about their rights to education.” They also learn about child labour and marriage practices – and how to speak up against them. Your gifts to the Vulnerable Children Fund makes it possible for children to stand up for themselves and each other! *Names have been changed for privacy purposes
Your support meant: 20,442 children took part in child clubs or programs that promote child rights
Thank you for your support in 2019!