Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI- Despite efforts to end child labor in Zimbabwe, a significant rise in divorces has been cited as a major driver of child prostitution, labor and poor retention in schools.
Interacting with these children, this publication learnt that most of these children left their homes to work as house maids and cattle herders after their parents separated.
Coalition Against Child Labor in Zimbabwe (CACLAZ)’s school returnees sponsorship programme has revealed that the children are usually left with no choice as they will have to fend for themselves.
Lisbert Senga (13) from Uswaushava narrated her ordeal and said she went to stay with her grandmother after her parents separated, with living conditions forcing her to leave for Rutenga were she worked as a house helper.
“I went to stay with my grandmother after the separation of my parents. I walked 12 kilometers to and from school and most of the time walking during the night. I couldn’t bear it, so I went to work as a housemaid at Rutenga growth point.
“I was being treated well as they gave me food and better comfort. My mom and grandmother looked for me everywhere, and I later informed them that I was safe. My mother was later married and my stepfather never wanted to see me closer to her, which later led them to separate. We heard news from Mr Tusai that CACLAZ was looking for children like me to go back to school and I grabbed the opportunity,” narrated Lisbert.
Tapiwa Mukwena from Kushinga Primary also told his story, saying he grew up under the guardianship of his grandmother as he never knew his parents.
“I don’t know where my parents are and nobody was paying for my school fees. I began herding cattle for a living as my guardians failed to raise money for my school fees,” said Tapiwa.
Chiedza Mapope from the same school with Tapiwa said her parents separated and she was forced to stay with her grandmother, who later failed to pay for her fees.
“My parents separated and I began staying with my grandmother. They later failed to pay for my school fees, leading me to drop out of school. I later enrolled through CACLAZ’s programme,” she said.
CACLAZ, a non-governmental organization advocating for an end to child labor in Zimbabwe has successfully returned to school more than 1 200 school drop outs in Chiredzi district, with close to 350 Kalahari goats for their livelihood support.
Recently, CACLAZ roped in various governmental departments including the District Development Coordinator’s office, Ministry of Education, Department of Social Development, Department of Labour, Zimbabwe Republic Police and Child line, to mention but a few, to help with sustainable ideas towards the upkeep of the goat livelihood project which will later cater for the school fees of these children.
