According to the estimates of the International Labor Organization, of the 211 million children in economic captivity around the world 3.3 million (between the ages of 5 and 10) are in Pakistan alone. Breaking this down one can see that 2.2 million children are in Pakistan’s mega city of Karachi and 0.2 million are employed in manufacturing, construction, wholesale and retail trade where conditions are harsh and hazardous.

Millions of children in Pakistan are deprived of the opportunity to engage in educational and recreational activities and this is largely attributable to the general lack of educational facilities that are accessible to working and street children. Realizing the need to extend such opportunities, the Sindh Education Foundation provides free and flexible facilities through its Child Labor Education Program (CLEP). The Foundation believes in the dignity of labor, and supports the view that work experience is also one of the ways through which children learn. Also SEF, upholds the belief that eradication of child labor per se, in the context of Pakistan, can perpetuate greater poverty, as that would result in a greater loss of income for concerned families.

It is to fulfill this ideological, moral and social responsibility to the children that SEF established the Child Labor Education Program in the year 2000. The Child Development Center (CDC) is the primary unit of CLEP in the industrial hub of S.I.T.E.

OBJECTIVES

To provide self development opportunities to working and street children

To promote health consciousness amongst beneficiaries

To strengthen and maintain close relationships with stakeholders

To establish partnerships with similar and like minded organizations

To continue to enrich the program design based on research evaluation

Search for safer apprenticeship and job opportunities for children