MATHARE YOUTH SPORTS ASSOCIATION

In Mathare, young people have to grow up very fast and often seek employment at a young age to help sustain their families. Often they become victims of child labour.

Child labour is work that exceeds a minimum number of hours (depending on the age of a child and on the type of work) that has a negative effect on a child’s health and personal development and that interferes with their schooling.

MYSA is the implementation partner for the International Labour Organisation’s action plan in the Mathare Valley. Our role includes:

• Training our staff, volunteers and peer educators to deliver key messages about child labour 
• Using our events as a platform to deliver key messages about child labour
• Providing a safe place for child workers to come and take place in structured sport and community activities
• Encouraging and supporting young people to help them complete their education

More than 60 of our Mathare Youth FC players and staff have completed training on child labour issues and they now volunteer for the Supporting Children’s Right Through Education, Art and Media (SCREAM) campaign run by the International Program on the Elimination of Child Labour.

Since our involvement, more than 600 children have been removed from harmful working situations and given the chance to continue their education or complete vocational training courses.