In both the project woredas (Este and Siraro), the evaluation team came across consistent responses and reports on the contribution of the projects on reducing child labor. These have largely been attributed to the persistent awareness creation by the two implementing NGOs using varying context based strategies and community structures suitable to each project woreda. Among the first to acknowledge the contribution of the project to the reduction of child labor are PTA leaders and member. Nigusse Kebede PTA treasures Chewsar Priamry school observes: Child labor is not seen in the vicinity of our school. There are no such reports. If a parent holds back a child from school for some kind of work, he/she is penalized birr 30.00 and also given advice and strict warning as decided by the community itself in a meeting long ago after awareness education on child labor”. These days, children never go to fetch water, they don’t go to flour mills carrying grains as it used to be in the past. They go to school and focus on their studies. It is reported in the interview with Este WEO head and his education expert that in the schools where CLFZ project was implemented, child labor has almost been eradicated. According to them the contrast between project and non-project schools are vivid. They stated that the children who came from CLFZ project schools and non-project schools have differences in their awareness and confidence. They even went further saying that children from CLFZ schools refuse to stay away from school and resist work at home and in the farms. Children who participated in FGDs in Belta and Chewsar primary schools, witnessed that they • Have no school-age siblings who are not in school • Have small brothers and sisters who are in preschool. • Don’t do hard work at home or in the field, instead they come to school. • Are not given to someone as herders and farm assistants because they are learning and their parents have been told that child labor is wrong. It is quite revealing to note what an 11 year old grade 4 student in Chewsar Primary school named Minale Melese when he was asked about child labor where he said “by being in school we have avoided looking after cattle and able to learn and get modern job in the future”. In such areas of Siraro as Biten Kubi, “child labor is highly reduced. Water fetching, livestock herding, and house hold labor by children has minimized. Parents now use donkey and other animals to fetch water. There are no drop outs. Parents don’t ask children to stay away from school to work even children refuse if they are asked”. Ahmed Gmeda, Principal of Bitena Kubi Primary School. 44
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