Combating Exploitative Child Labor through Education in the Dominican Republic
In September 2007, DevTech and its Associates signed a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor to lead the Combating Exploitative Child Labor through Education in the Dominican Republic project. The new grant reflects upon the success of the DevTech project, Combating Child Labor through Education in the Dominican Republic, completed in 2007. In association with two Dominican organizations and a number of local subcontractors, DevTech is building upon the successes of the last project and introducing new innovations to offer Dominican youth an alternative to exploitative child labor.
This project aims to prevent or withdraw 10,000 Dominican youths (7,500 children and 2,500 adolescents) from exploitative child labor by scaling up the educational models introduced in the first project and introducing new programs to provide educational alternatives to adolescents.
Espacios Para Crecer ("Spaces for Growth")
A major component of this project is the continuation of the "Espacios para Crecer" (EpC) model introduced in the previous project. In the Dominican Republic, the overcrowding of schools necessitates a shift system where half of the students attend school during a morning shift, and half during an afternoon shift. The EpCs provide a second shift of non-formal education that complements the Dominican national curriculum. This project is opening new EpCs in various regions throughout the Dominican Republic. The facilitators of these new EpCs receive training in Quantum Learning® methodology. For more information about both the "Espacios para Crecer" model and Quantum Learning, click here.
Funding provided by the United States Department of Labor under cooperative agreement E-9-K-3-0054 financed the development of the EpC materials.
Espacios Para Emprender ("Spaces for Entrepreneurship")
A cornerstone of this project is the introduction of a vocational training program geared toward adolescents. The goal of the "Espacios para Emprender" (EpEs) is to help out-of-school youth gain marketable skills through compensatory education programming. Specifically, volunteer facilitators who serve as counselors guide the adolescents toward vocational training programs based on their desired careers. The EpE program also provides job placement support to adolescents.
World Day Against Child Labor, 12 June
Each year, DevTech honors 12 June as the World Day Against Child Labor.
In 2010, DevTech issued its newsletter 'Sphere' in honor of the children, adolescents, and families that everyday take important stands to break the cycle of child labor.
In 2009, DevTech participated in a Department of Labor event attended by the Secretary of Labor to recognize the day. Senator Tom Harkin in his speech in Geneva recognized the contributions of the Espacios para Crecer program to combating child labor.
In 2009, the day marked graduation day for 2000 children from the Espacios para Crecer ("Spaces for Growth") program developed by DevTech and Entrena in 2004, a project which is today implemented by 11 Dominican and international partners. These 2,000 children joined the more than 5,000 children, who have mainstreamed back into school. The Espacios para Crecer (EpC) model has provided them the confidence, self-esteem, and drive to continue their education, many overcoming their over-age status. The model raises awareness among, and involvement by, parents, community leaders, community-based organizations, and local governmental representatives, proven by their efforts to ensure the success of the EpC in their community.
