Paraguay Okakuaa apoyando el comercio justo en la producción de azúcar
Submitted by admin on
Financiado por el Departamento de Trabajo de los EE.UU. (USDOL), Paraguay Okakuaa es un proyecto liderado por el Ministerio de Trabajo, Empleo y Seguridad Social (MTESS) de Paraguay, que busca reducir las peores formas de trabajo infantil y mejorar el cumplimiento de las leyes laborales y las condiciones para el trabajo en el Departamento de Guairá, específicamente en los municipios de Borja, Iturbe, Troche, Paso Yobai y Villarrica.
EducaFuturo provides opportunities for youth to develop interpersonal skills and entrepreneurial capabilities. It helps the youth succeed in school while also preparing them for jobs that will provide a living income.
“The topic of child labor is a multi-dimensional one that requires a comprehensive approach for its prevention and elimination,” Peña began at a panel discussing best practices in combating child labor at Partners' recent convention.
Not too long ago, Alex, 7, and Josseline, 6, spent their afternoons working in a field, grazing cows and collecting grass to feed pigs and guinea pigs. One of their most common tasks, as it is for other children in Chordeleg, Azuay, Ecuador, was recollecting toquilla straw. The material is used to create Panamanian hats which are very popular among local workers and tourists.
In an effort to support Paraguay’s government, private sector, and civil society’s commitment to to combat child labor and strengthen labor law enforcement, the United States government presented a new project called Paraguay Okakuaa at the U.S. Ambassador to Paraguay, Dr. Leslie A. Bassett’s residence. The project is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. (
“I am not playing with her - she is too small, she can’t run, and doesn’t talk to me!” one EducaFuturo participant shouted. “He only talks to his friends and just because I look different he doesn’t talk to me,” responded another.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, an estimated 
When Mateo and Kevin first started attending Espacios Para Crecer (EpC), an after-school program led by Partners of the Americas’ Proyecto EducaFuturo, life changed for their entire family.
Child labor in Ecuador and Panama is prominent in the most vulnerable and socially excluded sectors: indigenous and Afro-descendant populations. These two populations account for a high incidence of poverty, social exclusion, employment and lack of education, which also explains why they are most at risk of child labor. The numbers are stark.
On Friday July 5, 2013, Partners launched our EducaFuturo program in Panama. The launch was a big success, and we are excited to begin working on the ground.
