World Vision’s advocacy work is fundamentally rooted in the realities of vulnerable communities we partner with around the world.
Our
University of McMaster Campus Club recently started a podcast called “Conversations with Changemakers” to bridge the gap between youth and global issues. The
latest episode features a conversation with two staff from World Vision Mexico: Sarai Villa, the Grants Communications Manager, and Fanny Lumbí, the National Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator. They work on eliminating child labour through the
“Campos de Esperanza” or “Fields of Hope” program.
Through partnerships with the government, private sector, and local communities, the project works to prevent and reduce child labour in the sugarcane and coffee industry in the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Veracruz. The program also ensures children’s access to education.
Listen to the full podcast or read the interview summary below:
Q: What drove your interest and passion towards preventing child labour?
Sarai: Working in a humanitarian organization gives me a sense of empathy and social justice knowing that no children should be working under any circumstances. And yet, we see child labor every day not as a distant problem but a reality. This work is all about addressing problems that are hurting children and affecting their development. Children today will become adults who will likely have children one day. The ways they are raised will become the ways they raise their children – so they are the present and the future.
Fanny: As a Nicaraguan, growing up in a low-income society motivates me to work for communities that I can relate with. In these societies, socio-economic disparities and the lack of access to education contribute to child labour. Given my privilege to have an education and other knowledge and talents, I decided to work in a job that responds to a missional purpose. Child labour is one of the oldest problems in our society. Children, unfortunately, are very profitable assets since their wages are low, they are less likely to strike, and they are a lot easier to manipulate.
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Q: Can you tell us about the work that you've done in preventing child labor?
Sarai: Sure. The Fields of Hope program is implemented in agricultural communities which consist of mostly migrants and indigenous populations. The project is divided into four components: education, communication, private sector, and advocacy. For education, we conduct educational activities in local schools to prevent student dropouts and promote school enrollment, specifically to children at risk of child labor. As for communication, we raise awareness on child labour risks among families from children to parents to extended families and caregivers so adults can take informed actions for children's well-being.
Fanny: We work hand in hand with various allies to coordinate meetings in different sectors and governance levels from the state, municipal and local authorities to advocate for best practices in child labor prevention.
“A new community library inaugurated in Tezonapa, Veracruz for all girls, boys, adolescents and the community at large to have a space for recreation.”
Q: What was the most shocking encounter you had with child labour?
Sarai: Having proximity to the sugar cane cutters, coffee producers and their families has allowed us to experience many impressive moments.
Fanny: An impressive moment I had was seeing child labourers hold a book in their hands for the first time. For them, child labour is a very hard situation, and they don't have access to bookstores, libraries, or educational materials. So, when you teach them how to read, they feel strongly moved from getting to enjoy reading as a new childhood activity.
Sarai: It is impressive to see the impact community libraries make on children’s reading habits and families’ parenting values.
Some parents don't know how to read, so the libraries helped them to learn and to see the importance of placing children in a safe and educational environment with other children, instead of sending them to work in the field surrounded by adults. Families learn to respect children’s rights to childhood protection and activities like playing and reading.
Fanny: Another impactful moment is witnessing children with hand injuries. Usually, you can distinguish between a child or an adult by their hands. But in this case, children who work daily have rough, adult hands with wounds from labour such as cutting canes. So just by looking at their hands, you can see that they have taken on responsibilities that are not appropriate for their age. In addition to immediate physical dangers such as long hours of sun, heat, physical fatigue, or dehydration, there are also many long-term risks like constantly being exposed to an adult environment, picking up unhealthy practices, and not enjoying their childhood.
Q: How can young adults like us help eradicate child labor and support your work?
Sarai: It always helps to be involved and to be aware, advocating to everyone you know. It is also important to question our consumption habits as it is necessary to know where our products come from. Researching stores, manufacturers, and producers allows us to ask for better production processes that guarantee labour rights and children's rights.
Fanny: One of the best ways to help would be what you're doing now to educate the public about this sensitive issue of child labour. Share about this as contextual and relatable as you can with your audience so people can understand the gravity of the problem.
Creating valuable content to share on social media networks in a meaningful way is also effective.
Keep learning about the various problems happening around you and how you can make a change.
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The podcast was recorded and produced by McMaster World Vision Club, featuring Julie Ungureanu, Kirpal Bains, Nathalia Kulatunga, Sarai Villa (World Vision Mexico, Grants Communication Manager), and Fanny Lumbi (World Vision Mexico, M&E Coordinator of the Fields of Hope program).
To learn more about conscious consumerism and World Vision Canada’s advocacy work in addressing child labour in Canada’s supply chains, to sign our petition, visit
www.nochildforsale.ca