Rescued from child labour and thriving in school: A story about Mary
Mary*, aged 14, lives in a village within Teso North, Busia, Kenya, alongside her parents and five siblings. Her parents rely on farming, cultivating maize and cassava on their small land. In the past, Mary's mother supplemented the family income by selling vegetables. However, financial constraints forced her to stop the business last year, while her father also stopped selling charcoal for the same financial reason.
A story about Mary
Mary*, aged 14, lives in a village within Teso North, Busia, Kenya, alongside her parents and five siblings. Her parents rely on farming, cultivating maize and cassava on their small land. In the past, Mary's mother supplemented the family income by selling vegetables. However, financial constraints forced her to stop the business last year, while her father also stopped selling charcoal for the same financial reason. They would earn approximately 1.39 euros per day, which was barely sufficient to cover the family's basic needs. Compared to the current situation, life was better when both parents were working.
Life in the Rural village
Mary's family resides on a plot of land where two houses stand, constructed from iron roofing sheets and mud walls. The first house has a sitting room and two bedrooms, where the entire family sleeps. They have a separate house designated as the kitchen. The construction of a new toilet is underway, and they still need a bathroom. A small playground provides space for play activities. They fetch water for cooking and drinking from a nearby stream and use a small solar light as electricity at night.
Before relocating to their current house, they lived in a smaller semi-permanent house that was destroyed by heavy rains in January 2024. Fortunately, the local church intervened and facilitated the construction of their current home.
Struggles in the Rural Village
With her parents at home, and no longer working, Mary's elder brother, 19 years, assumed the responsibility of providing for the family. Engaging in casual work, he managed to earn approximately 1 euro per day, which he uses to purchase essential food items.
In the past, when her parents were working, the family could afford three meals a day. However, their current financial situation has forced them to make do with whatever is available, often consisting of tea and cassava in the morning, and ugali or greens at night. Additionally, they rely on obtaining medicine on credit from a local pharmacist when they fall ill.
Mary, currently in Grade 7, is the only sibling able to attend school due to financial constraints. Despite this, she excels academically. However, her education is frequently interrupted by being sent home due to unpaid fees. Her mother's occasional payments towards these fees are short-lived, as Mary faces the same predicament each term. In one instance, she was unable to sit for exams due to accumulating 22.3 Euros in fee arrears. Despite the disruptions to her schooling, Mary, dedicated to her studies, continues studying at home.
A story about Mary
Education Interrupted
Sadly, Mary found herself shouldering the responsibility of supporting her family. Unfortunately, this led her down the path of child labour. At just 12 years old, she began selling vegetables, often alongside a close friend, along the busy highway from 8 am until 1 pm or even later. Whether at the market or in people´s homes, Mary would tirelessly hawk her vegetables, earning a profit of 1.04 euros. This money was used to purchase food and essential items like soap, as well as make partial payments towards her school fees.
For over a year, Mary would sell vegetables on Fridays, Saturdays, and sometimes even school days. Carrying heavy sacks of vegetables for long distances took a toll on her physical health, leaving her exhausted and drained. Additionally, Mary faced the looming dangers of the roadside, including the risk of trafficking or being lured into illegal activities by strangers. Despite the well-intentioned advice from members of her community urging her to prioritise her education over selling vegetables, Mary continued with this work, to support her struggling family.
“I did not want to sell vegetables but I had to help out. I would get tired. My body would be in pain because of walking for long.¨Mary explained
Rescued from child labour
In November 2022, a concerned customer raised a complaint about children selling vegetables along the highway. Upon receiving this complaint, the ICS SP mentor, who also serves as a child protection volunteer at the Teso North sub-county children's office, decided to take action.
Upon investigation, the mentor found Mary selling vegetables in the market and inquired about her absence from school. Mary explained the family's struggles and inability to afford school fees. Recognising the seriousness of the situation, the mentor escalated the matter to the Directorate of Children's Services for documentation. Despite efforts to contact Mary's parents, they could not be reached that day.
As a result, Mary was taken to the police station where she stayed for one night. ¨I was shaking. I thought I had done something wrong.´’ Mary recalled. The following day, her parents arrived at the station to take her home. Thereafter, the mentor had a discussion with Mary's parents, emphasising the importance of education and the risks associated with child labour.
A story about Mary
Positive turn of events
Following this intervention, Mary stopped selling vegetables along the highway. Instead, she focused on either staying at home or attending school. Through support from the Action Against Child Labour Project, a project implemented by Terre des Hommes Netherlands and ICS-SP, she received essential school items, including a uniform, socks, and a bag. Additionally, she was provided with scholastic materials such as 12 exercise books, 5 pens, and 5 erasers, ensuring she had the tools necessary for learning. Most significantly, her school fees arrears, amounting to 14 euros, were settled, ensuring that she would continue going to school. She also received a school bag, school shoes, school uniform and socks.
Focused on Education
Now back in school, Mary´s academic performance is steadily improving. She encourages her friends to prioritise education, explaining the importance of staying in school. Participation in the child rights club in her school (not initiated by the AACL project) has brought Mary joy and a deeper understanding of her rights, the importance of prioritising her education, and avoiding child labour activities. With her parents sensitised to the dangers of child labour, they now actively support her academic goals, advising her to concentrate on her studies. Proud of her progress, they ensure she remains safe from the risks associated with child labour.
¨I stopped selling vegetables. Now I am focused on studying hard in school and performing well. Mary stated.
A story about Mary
Structured Routine
When Mary goes to school, her day starts promptly at 6:00 am. After bathing, she attends to household chores, such as washing utensils. Then, she heads to school, located just a few meters away from home. Throughout the school day, Mary studies hard and enjoys moments of play with her classmates. Upon returning home around 4 or 5 pm, she assumes her responsibilities, sweeping the compound and washing utensils before settling down to read for an hour. Mary then heads to sleep at 8:00 pm.
On days when Mary is out of school, her routine remains structured. Waking up at 6:00 am, she starts her day by bathing before going to the farm for an hour or more. Afterwards, she sweeps the compound and washes utensils before reading. If lunch is available, she takes a break to eat before engaging in playtime. She loves skipping rope with her friends. Once she finishes reading again, she prepares for bed and calls it a night at 8:00 pm.
Bright Future Ahead
Reflecting on the support and her journey back to school, Mary stated, "I feel good. The materials have helped me study. I can now read and write well. "I feel happy now that I am back in school,"
Looking ahead, Mary envisioned a future filled with promise and hope stating, "I would like to read and complete school. I would like to build my parents a big house, give them money and support them."
Sharing her aspirations for the future, she stated, "In the future, I want to be a doctor and treat people."
Mary's progress is closely monitored by the AACL project mentor. Regular check-ins are conducted to assess Mary's performance both in school and at home, allowing for timely intervention and support as needed.
My goal is to ensure that child labour cases are reduced to zero, Collins, Mentor
¨When I met Mary selling vegetables in the market in November 2022, she wanted to run away. I had to talk to her and reassure her that I did not intend to do her any harm.¨
My name is Collins Kapule. I am an ICS SP mentor and child protection volunteer linked to the Children´s office in Teso North. I am a social worker by profession. My main role is to rescue children from child labour, ensure they are reintegrated with their families and follow up with them to ensure they are safe and thriving in school.
"When Mary was taken to the police station, as her parents could not be located, she was visibly shaken and traumatised. A counsellor was able to intervene and provide support, helping her navigate through her emotions.¨The following day, her parents arrived at the station to take her home. I had a discussion with them and explained the importance of education and the risks associated with child labour.¨
"Two years later, my relationship with Mary has flourished. She is no longer involved in child labour. Her performance in school has improved significantly. Her teachers are saying that she is getting good grades and she is very disciplined.
With the scholastic materials (12 exercise books, 5 pens, 5 pencils, 5 rubbers) and school essentials (a uniform, a bag, and shoes) that she received from the AACL project, she is now more confident and motivated. She actively participated in the child rights club and she encourages other children to work hard and study.
Her parents also encourage her to stay in school and finish her studies, after being sensitised on the dangers and effects of child labour. I conduct regular visits to her school and home to ensure her well-being and progress.
"After Mary's story circulated within the community, many children stopped engaging in child labour and opted to remain in school.¨
¨My hope is for Mary to become a successful doctor and treat other children who have been rescued from child labour.¨
"Factors such as poverty, inadequate parental guidance, and neglect contribute to children becoming victims of child labour. They engage in activities like sand harvesting, farming, or hawking to support their struggling families, depriving them of the opportunity to enjoy their childhood and receive an education.
¨I wish to see children in my community progress and have a chance to live a normal life, free from child labour. I hope to see good parenting practices among parents and ensure child labour cases are reduced to zero. ¨
¨I feel happy now that I am back in school.¨ Mary, 14 years old
¨I had to help my family because we were struggling. So, I started selling vegetables when I was just 12. I did it from morning till afternoon, sometimes even skipping school. It was hard work, carrying heavy sacks and walking a lot. I often felt tired and sore. People told me to focus on school, but I kept selling vegetables to help my family. Mary stated.
I met Collins when I was selling vegetables in the market. I wanted to run away but he stopped me. He asked me why I was not in school and I explained that I do not have money for school fees. Collins tried to reach out to my parents that day. I was taken to the police station and stayed there for one night. I was shaking. I thought I had done something wrong. I did not sleep well that night. I was scared.
The next day, my parents came to take me home. Collins told us why school was important and why selling vegetables on the road was dangerous to me.
After that, my parents and I decided that I would not sell vegetables by the roadside anymore. Part of my school fees was paid and I went to school. Collins gave me a uniform, socks, and a bag. He also gave me exercise books, pens, and erasers, to help me continue to learn in school.
I was ecouraged to join the child rights club at my school (not part of the project), where I made friends. We did all sorts of things together, from learning to read to dancing happily. In the club, I was taught about my rights and why education is important. It helped me understand why it's better to stay in school than to work.
¨I feel happy now that I am back in school. Now, I feel good. The materials have helped me study. I can now read and write well. I would like to read and complete school. I want to build my parents a big house, give them money and support them.
Collins saved me. He helped me get back to school. He comes to check on me in school and at home. I am able to talk to him and tell him if anything is bothering me. He advises me a lot too. We are close now, compared to when I first met him. “In future, I want to be a doctor and treat people.¨
*Name changed to protect the identity of the project participant.
