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Transcript/ScriptCAMEROON CHILD LABOR - Danhatu
HEADLINE: Despite child labor concerns, street hawking continues in Cameroon TEASER: During summer holidays, many children are sent to the streets to sell goods, a potentially dangerous task PUBLISHED AT: BYLINE: Njodzeka Danhatu CONTRIBUTOR: DATELINE: BUEA, CAMEROON VIDEOGRAPHER: Muleng F. Timngum VIDEO EDITOR: Muleng F. Timngum PRODUCER: ASSIGNING EDITOR: Africa Division Editors SCRIPT EDITORS: KEnochs; Baragona VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA Original PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV X RADIO X TRT: 3:14 VID APPROVED BY: KE TYPE: TVPKG/RADIO
((INTRO))
[[In Cameroon, some children spend their summer selling goods on the street to generate income for their families. But the government is warning parents against violating child labor practices and exposing minors to dangers. Njodzeka Danhatu reports from Buea.]]
((NARRATOR))
The cost of living has gone up in Cameroon, and the impact is being felt by Cherube Stella's family of ten, who rely on her for survival. So, to lessen the burden, she sends her teenage children to the streets to sell goods during summer holidays.
((Cherube Stella, Fruit Seller)) ((Female, in English))
“They must go and hawk so that we can meet up with our (household needs), maybe our clothing, our feeding, and our health issues because, at times, we do fall sick. Things are very expensive now in our country.”
((NARRATOR)) Despite her efforts to provide for her family's needs, Stella is concerned about the risks her children may face while selling on the streets.
((Cherube Stella, Fruit seller)) ((Female, in English)) “When they go out there, I pray to God to protect my children because the outside is bad. I caution them. We can’t predict what will happen out there. We do have consent, and we caution them, ‘You people should not go and stay outside till late.’”
((NARRATOR))
Unemployment and poverty are driving many Cameroonian parents to put their children to work, according to a 2023 report from the Danish Refugee Council. (5) The report highlights that girls selling goods in neighborhoods are especially at risk, facing dangers like sexual harassment and kidnapping.
In response, the Cameroonian government is stepping in to help, offering mothers alternative sources of income through vocational training programs like computer skills, sewing, and catering.
[[Radio track: ...says Eteki Stella Dopgima with the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and the Family.]]
((Eteki Stella Dopgima, Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and the Family)) ((Female, in English)) “The women’s empowerment center is still here to empower and make them economically viable so that they can take care of their children without depending on the income that some of those children can give.”
((NARRATOR))
Some parents are sending their children to master other skills rather than following risky pursuits. The Volcanic Warriors Sports and Recreational Academy offers both free and paid courses teaching computers, basketball and music, among other things. (4)
[[Radio track: Ifose Emile Mbella is the founder of the academy.]]
((Ifose Emile Mbella, Volcanic Warriors Sports and Recreational Academy Founder)) ((Male, in English)) “Education does not end only in academics. Education goes with what we call co-curricular activities, as we may name them, which are a vital tool to present-day life.”
((NARRATOR))
Government authorities like Stella say that initiatives providing economic support to parents are essential in preventing child labor. She also said that they offer training in industrial equipment so they can maintain jobs and have a stable income.
((Eteki Stella, Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and the Family)) ((Female, in English))
“We are making it to be sustainable because we want women to be economically independent so that they don’t depend on people.”
((NARRATOR))
The government-funded free training programs are important in Buea subdivision, where over 70 women graduate annually from the women's empowerment program, many of whom receive equipment and startup capital to secure better jobs.
((Njodzeka Danhatu, VOA News, Buea, Cameroon.))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
Subtitles / Dubbing AvailableNo
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateAugust 13, 2024 16:13 EDT
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
