Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Milan (Agenzia Fides) - According to UNICEF about 150 million children in the world aged 5 - 14 years are employed in illegal labour, a cause and consequence of the poverty which jeopardises their education and their future. To combat this phenomenon and promote access to schooling as a means of emancipation and of building a better future, a Milan based NGO Intervita has launched a campaign “Diritti alla meta” - in favour of children and adolescents in countries in the South of the world. The campaign aims to promote the physical, mental and spiritual development of children and to stop economic exploitation. Intervita is active in several countries in the south of the world, for in example Benin, where it combats the use of some 9,000 children for domestic work or work in the fields. In Cambodia, in 12 villages in the Svay Rieng province on the border with Vietnam, Intervita is involved in combating human trafficking to Vietnam, where children are used for begging. In India, the NGO promotes education for all children, for example thanks to Intervita some schools offer lessons in later hours for children or adolescents who work to help support the family. In the town of Nashik, with a high percentage of street children, at Intervita supported schools pupils receive instruction, medical care and a proper meal. In El Salvador, in the areas of La Libertad, San Vincente, Usultan, Morazàn and La Paz, Intervita cooperates in programmes to increase awareness among families of the rights of children, to promote respect for civil rights, education and development and to combat child labour. In Brazil, Intervita operates in nine community centres in collaboration with the local Pastoral do Menor Association , assisting 700 children through adoption at a distance, and 200 adolescents and their families with interventions of support, involving street children and street youth in activities of scholastic formation, artistic expression and formation on human rights, citizenship, human relationships and sexuality. (AP) (21/6/2010 Agenzia Fides)
