Regions: Africa   Asia   Latin America


Name of Organization: Dupoto-e-Maa Olkejuado Pastoralists Development Organization

Country: Kenya

Project Title: "Reduce and Prevent Child Labor and Enhance the Participation of Pastoralist Children in Formal Education Through Community Awareness in Kajiado"

Project Timeframe: 24 months

Location of Project: Kajiado

Budget Amount: $50,000

NGO contact and website:
Stephen Shaakua OlLE TIMOI
P.O. Box 264
Kajiado
Tel/Fax: (254) 045 21247
Email: dupoto-e-maa@africaonline.com.ke

Project's Primary Objective: Objective # 1 – Public Awareness

Description of Organization: Dupoto-e-Maa is a membership organization and the supreme body is the ADM (Annual Delegates Meeting). Dupoto collaborates with CARE Kenya, ILO, Japanese Embassy and local pastoralist organizations. Activities include HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns, land issues, land and income generating projects, a women's lobby group, girl child's education, school facilities support and improvement of water resources.

There has been a growing improvement with regards to the education of pastoralist children who are traditionally used for herding. Dupoto-e-Maa has contributed significantly in the recent promotion of education in the semi-arid areas of the district through the provision of boarding facilities, improvement or creation of school infrastructure, mobilization and sensitization of communities, and training of teachers.

Description of Project funded by CIRCLE: The purpose of the Reduce and Prevent Child Labor and Enhance the Participation of Pastoralist Children in Formal Education Through Community Awareness in Kajiado Project is to reduce child labor and increase the participation of eligible children in formal education through public awareness.

The objectives include:
  • Create awareness among the pastoralist community of Kajiado on the importance of education for children and sensitize the community to support and promote education in their areas;
  • Ensure increased participation of school age boys and girls in education in terms of access, enrolment and retention;
  • Advocate for increased government support in terms of budgetary commitment and policy measures that guarantee access of all pastoralist eligible school age children to basic education; and
  • To improve the quality of education provided in schools in the rural pastoralist areas.
Activities will be based on community sensitization: parents, local authorities and leaders; decision makers and provision of materials to improve the school environment.

Project Targets (Common Indicators):
Enrollment: 10% rise in school-age children enrollment by 2006 and 5% increase in girls' enrollment each year.
Persistence: 20% increase in students' access to secondary education.