CHES Cambodia

Offset loss of child labor within the family

Address the root causes of CL, i.e., poverty

Reduce vulnerability of young workers to hazardous labor in agriculture

Age: 15-17 years old engaged in hazardous labor (working hours, using sharp tools, exposed to chemical; carrying heavy load; night work; using machinery)

Out of School

Parents/caregivers of children withdrawn from hazardous work in agriculture

Interested in the project

Pre-determined project criteria

Community-based monitors with local NGOs and project staff apply criteria in target village and other villages

Community meetings and home visits

Market study

Practical, business & financial literacy training

Training for young agricultural entrepreneurs (YAE) using a tested training methodology

YAE train other young workers (new and existing beneficiaries) in agricultural skills

Start up kits

Follow-up support

Selection and training of community-based facilitators (CBF) as motivators and innovators

CBF train and organize target parents in agricultural skills

Testing, modeling, close follow up and motivational strategies

Organization and training of savings groups

Young people 163 YAEs trained in

self-development, organizing, ecological chicken-raising, fish-raising, home garden

YAEs practicing skills; trained and organized 445 withdrawn children; 81 completed

Caregivers 160 CBFs trained on

child labor, self-development, agricultural skills, savings, reporting

CBFs trained 311 parents in agricultural skills

90 savings group of parents with $29,000

Multiple skills to ensure year round benefit

Phased training: confidence building, strengthens practice; maximizes peer learning

Use of good peer models

Link with tested systems developed by service provider

Demand driven training (and not supply driven)

Finding/retaining young people in the program (pull factors beyond the control of project)

Generating interest requires holistic interventions and skill in behavior change process

Dearth of enabling policy environment and

resources for growth of community livelihoods, including link with private sector

Showing strong evidence that increased economic opportunity results in child labor reduction

Need to work at scale to have sustaining impact