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Prospect international case studies and projects we have supported

Prospect members and reps have been actively involved in a number of international development projects.

Zimbabwe - Irrigation and water project (2009 to 2011)

This is an Oxfam project that Prospect members are supporting through the Oxfam Appeal Fund. It is the first stage of a three-part irrigation project in the rural Gutu district of Masvingo province and will combine with agricultural and business training to ensure that 25,000 people have a steady supply of food throughout the year.

Honduras - women in sweatshops (May 2009)

Clare Hawkes is a development advocate in Prospect's HSE Branch.

Following a request from War on Want and supported by Prospect's NEC, Clare joined a delegation to Honduras to participate in a conference organised by War on Want partner, CODEMUH (Honduran Women's Collective). Part of the trip was spent meeting women employed in sweatshops who, as a result of their the abysmal working conditions in the vast sweatshops of Honduras, suffer from crippling muscular skeletal disorders.

 

Guatemala - Branch aid for Mayan child labour organisation 'Asociacion Conrado de la Cruz'  (April 2009)

To raise awareness of the Mayan child labour in Guatemala, the Forensic Science Branch undertook a fund raising campaign for the War on Want project partner in that country - Conrado de la Cruz. They raised £1,340.00.

Conrado de la Cruz works with women and girls in some of the poorest areas of Guatemala City. Its principal objective is to improve the livelihoods of Mayan girl workers via education and campaigning. Conrado de la Cruz provides services for 700 Mayan girl workers in Guatemala City and three rural areas. 

On 24 October 2008, Prospect hosted a meeting with War on Want and a partner organisation, Asociacion Conrado de La Cruz from Guatemala, who shared their approach to eliminating the worst forms of child labour.

Chaired by Prospect's head of research Sue Ferns, the meeting included a very moving talk by an ex-child worker, Ofelia Chiroy Sebaquijay. Conrado supported Ofelia and helped her return to education; she is now a member of a child-led committee in her local community.

Guatemalan delegation

Julian Oyales, Co-ordinator of Conrado and Elizabeth Carrera, a previous Director of the NGO, explained how child labour in Guatemala is often "invisible". But there are an estimated 1.2 million child workers - 25% of the workforce. Around 400,000 children get no form of basic education because they are either "street children" or child workers in the informal sectors of agriculture (coffee, sugar and bananas), domestic work, fruit packers, shoe shiners etc

They said discrimination against and exploitation of girls and the minority ethnic Mayan peoples was clearly evident throughout all sectors.

Julian explained that in 1996, the trade union movement in Guatemala was literally wiped out when the leadership was either killed or exiled. He appealed for support, not only for on-the-ground projects, but also at a government level where issues such as child labour need addressing. Issues ranging from the new trade agreements with Europe, to multinational company activities in the agricultural sectors undermining food and water security were discussed.

The group heard that often the first step in dealing with the children is to help them negotiate the right to have time off to play - this is followed by addressing issues with employers, parents and local authorities that range from health care to education.

Prospect's NEC subsequently agreed a motion on labour in Guatemala for submission to the Women's TUC Conference.

Kenya – Nomad education project in Kenya (2008)

Prospect members have donated approximately £17,400 which has been dedicated to a project that aims to establish and equip ten new mobile schools for the children of nomadic (pastoralist) families.

Central Science Laboratory (November 2008)  

Members at the Central Science Laboratories in York engaged with suppliers at the annual CSL suppliers’ fair where they handed out information and discussed issues with suppliers and other Prospect members.  The suppliers’ representatives were keen to hear about the initiative and willingly took the leaflets that outline ethical trading, the law and positive reasons why they should get more involved. A copy of the supplier leaflet can be downloaded by clicking the link www.prospect.org.uk/page/15086

Colombia - Branch aid for Colombian trade unionists (Oct 2008)

On August 8th 2008 Liliany Patricia Obando was detained by the Colombian authorities. The Colombian regime has accused her of ‘rebellion' and is currently holding her in the political prisoner's block of the ‘Buen Pastor' women's prison in the Colombian capital Bogota.

Liliany is held in appalling conditions, food and medicine are insufficient, communication with the outside world is limited and some women in the political prisoners block, though not Liliany, are imprisoned with their small children.

Liliany is an academic, a women's rights campaigner and a trade unionist.

Cambodia - Mitigation of flooding on communities along the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers (2007)

Approximately £28,000 has been collected under the Trust up to end of March 2007 - this money has been dedicated to a project that aims to minimise the impact of flooding on the lives and livelihoods of people and communities that live along the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers.

Full project report from Oxfam www.prospect.org.uk/page/13850

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Millennium Development Goals

  • Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
  • Achieve universal primary education
  • Promote gender equality
  • Reduce child mortality
  • Improve maternal health
  • Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other disease
  • Ensure environmental sustainability
  • Develop a global partnership for development

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