Freedom to be a child

The shocking images of children working in hazardous and unhealthy conditions like factories, dangerous mines, and agricultural fields, on streets cleaning shoes or begging as well as on refuse sites collecting items make the challenge of child labour more pressing than ever. This year, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has urged to extend social protection to combat child labour. Social protection allows every child to have access to education, healthcare and nutrition and fosters an environment in which a child is not compelled to work or be a breadwinner for the family. 

A spokesperson at Muslim Aid said: ’’we are committed to tackle the root cause of child labour which is poverty. Our child sponsorship programme (Rainbow Family) aims to give every child social security and protection to enjoy their childhood. Muslim Aid works with families to ensure that their children receive continuous education as well as basic housing and nutritional needs with the help of our donors. We hope that children worldwide have the freedom to live and cherish their childhood which is only possible if they have sufficient emotional, social, educational and financial support. In addition, Muslim Aid also provides mentoring scheme which enables the Charity to monitor children’s progress and support their developmental needs ’’

In 2013, through local funding 10 Muslim Aid field offices and 10 partners implemented a number of projects to provide further support to the Rainbow Family sponsored children. Currently, 5060 children are being sponsored through Rainbow Family child sponsorship programme.  Through this programme, donors can support a child for as little as 82p a day in 16 countries like Afghanistan, Cambodia, Sierra Leone, Indonesia, Pakistan Iraq, Lebanon, Bosnia, Sudan and many more.