Understanding the Reality: A Story That Mirrors Many Lives
Child labour is not just a statistic, it is a lived reality.
Imagine a 15-year-old girl who drops out of school because her family cannot afford school fees. She is sent to a relative “to help,” but instead becomes a hidden domestic worker. Her small salary is sent home. At 17, she becomes pregnant and loses her job. With no education or support, she becomes trapped in cycles of poverty, emotional abuse and dependency. Her child grows up in the same environment.
The cycle repeats.
Sadly, this story reflects the experiences of many children in Busia. With child labour at 59%, it means that 6 out of 10 children are engaged in work that deprives them of education, safety and a chance to build a better future.
Busia County Labour Committee Meeting
The first engagement held on 27th November 2025 focused on the alarming levels of child labour in Busia and the need for sustainable, long-term interventions.
Stakeholders discussed:
- How to maintain child protection gains as donor-funded projects conclude
- Strengthening County Labour Committee structures
- ICS’s expansion of the Not Invisible Anymore (NIA) initiative into Teso South to prevent exploitative child domestic work at its root
Partners agreed that when children miss school, the entire county suffers. Reduced employability, increased poverty and intergenerational cycles of vulnerability become the inevitable cost.
Matayos Subcounty Child Labour committee Meeting
The meeting convened by Terres Des Hommes Netherlands (TDH NL) and ICS in collaboration with the Department of Children Services Matayos on 1st December 2025, focused on reviewing the progress of the Action Against Child Labour Project.
Partners discussed:
- Achievements made in 2025
- Challenges in tackling child domestic labour
- Strengthening partnerships among child protection actors
- Ensuring sustainability beyond the project’s phase-out in January 2026
The discussions highlighted the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in addressing child vulnerability.
State Department for Children Welfare Consultative Forum – 1st December
The second meeting, organized by the State Department for Children Welfare Services, brought stakeholders together to reflect on 2025 achievements and plan for 2026.
Key areas of focus included:
- Improving service delivery for vulnerable children
- Sharing lessons and best practices
- Addressing systemic challenges
- Strengthening coordination across child protection partners
Partners were appreciated for their continuous efforts to protect children in Matayos Sub County.
Baridi Kwa Baridi Women CBO’s Role in the Conversations
Across all three meetings, Baridi Kwa Baridi:
- Shared experiences from the Not Invisible Anymore Project
- Highlighted gaps faced by children engaged in domestic work
- Emphasized the need for prevention, awareness and stronger community systems
- Advocated for improved reporting and referral mechanisms
- Reaffirmed commitment to protecting adolescent girls and young women
Our message remained clear: children in domestic work are Not Invisible Anymore and their rights must be protected.
Looking Forward: A Child-Safe Busia Is Possible
The engagements held this month re-emphasize a powerful truth: ending child labour requires all of us government, community members, civil society and families.
Baridi Kwa Baridi Women CBO remains committed to championing child protection and ensuring every child in Busia grows up in a safe, nurturing environment where their dignity and rights are upheld.
Together, we can break the cycle.
Together, we can build a Busia where every child thrives.
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