World Vision works tirelessly to protect vulnerable children and their families

“I come from a modest family and due to our difficult situation and the absence of financial support; I had to drop out school.”

Unfortunately, this is the case for many other young men and women like the 23 years old Salimata Thiam in the Boghé district, who had to stop their studies for lack of means. Besides, this mother of two had no income generating activity to support neither herself nor her family. “I left school at a very young age and I had no activity to rely on. I have always wanted to continue my studies but the chance never presented itself,” continued Salimata. Many children and teenagers were in the same situation as Salimata, and were not able to continue their studies for different reasons. Some of them come from poor or vulnerable households and had to work in order to provide for their families and others simply did not have birth certificates therefore they had no access to education.

To respond to this situation, World Vision Mauritania in partnership with UNICEF and World Vision Germany initiated the Child Protection project in 2014, with a primary objective of protecting children from violence, exploitation, discrimination, abuse and negligence (VEDAN). Children with specific protection needs are also supported in fulfilling these needs such as bringing children who are working back to school. The poorest and most vulnerable households are also supported through income generating activities to ensure economic stability. 

Every beneficiary household receives 50.000 UM to start an activity which will contribute to the income stability of the family. The project provided training in hairstyling for Salimata and she was able to open a hair salon upon completion. “Thanks to this project, I received training in hairstyling and I was able to have my own shop which helps me earn a living. Now, I am able to train other teenagers who were obliged to leave school the same way I was, and did not know what to do,” said Salimata in a deep feeling of pride. “It is something that I had to do since the Child Protection project did the same for me.  Many children could end up being criminals or homeless in the streets with no activities, no defense or protection. I am grateful and I would like to thank World Vision Mauritania for this gesture.”

This project intervenes in 6 communes in the Brakna region and 5 in the Assaba region, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social affairs, Childhood and Family. In its first year, over 1412 children have benefitted from the project. This includes 25 families that have benefited from support in starting income generating activities, 13 in the Brakna and 12 in the Assaba. These families were identified by the project facilitators on the community level in both intervention areas. In partnership with The Association of Insertion for children and young workers in Mauritania, the project provides training in hairstyle, sewing and computer engineering.

The project’s beneficiary families live in absolute poverty which is often the motive that drives children to work. “My grand-son is sick, he often get epileptic fits. To get treatment, I often took him to the hospital and even tried traditional medicine but I reached a point where I could not pay for it anymore. Because of the rupture of his treatment, he used to have relapses and sometimes, he would disappear for days without eating or drinking. The last time, he disappeared for 4 days and we had to take him to a health center because he almost died from hunger,” said Ousmane Sy, the grand-father of young Abou who is benefitting from the project in the village of Thienel in Boghe district. Abou’s grand-father was able to buy him the necessary medications for his treatment thanks to the funds received from the project.

“Thanks to this project, I received 50.000 UM to start an animal fattening activity. I bought 3 sheep that I am going to sell in order to provide for my family and then buy medication to continue the treatment of my grand-son. As you can notice, I am an old man and I cannot work so without this support, I would not know what to do,” continued the grand-father.

Most of children and teenagers who were trained in partnership with the Association of Insertion had the chance to get a job or an income generating activity afterwards. Thanks to this project, many children avoided a criminal life and poverty. Another key activity of this project is its advocacy in favor of children and their families who do not have birth certificates in order to be registered. This is not only to ensure citizenship for children, but also helps them to get back to school. Community Protection tables were established locally by World Vision Mauritania and its partners in the intervention areas to further ensure the well-being of children.

Written by Ibrahima Diallo.