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After 1+ yrs out of school children in rural #Colombia are facing a range of threats related to armed conflict
I want to highlight what is at stake, based on conversations in Putumayo, Norte de Santander, Cauca, &Guaviare @ICGlatam
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I want to highlight what is at stake, based on conversations in Putumayo, Norte de Santander, Cauca, &Guaviare @ICGlatam
1. Invisible child recruitment.
Many rural communities rely on dormitory schools as safe spaces protecting minors from interaction with armed groups, for example in coca producing communities where traffickers move about.
Schools closed=interactions https://www.crisisgroup.org/latin-america-caribbean/andes/colombia/87-deeply-rooted-coca-eradication-and-violence-colombia">https://www.crisisgroup.org/latin-ame...
Many rural communities rely on dormitory schools as safe spaces protecting minors from interaction with armed groups, for example in coca producing communities where traffickers move about.
Schools closed=interactions https://www.crisisgroup.org/latin-america-caribbean/andes/colombia/87-deeply-rooted-coca-eradication-and-violence-colombia">https://www.crisisgroup.org/latin-ame...
Recruitment is invisible because teachers are often the ones who report children who have gone missing. Without in-person interaction, they cannot see and report absence.
Armed groups are advertising attractive salaries to new young recruits, e.g. $250-$500/month in Putumayo
Armed groups are advertising attractive salaries to new young recruits, e.g. $250-$500/month in Putumayo
2. Child labor during school shutdowns
Out of school and often without the connectivity or the materials to connect remotely, many communities and parents say children are working. In coca growing communities, this often means collecting the leaf and earning roughly $20-30/day
Out of school and often without the connectivity or the materials to connect remotely, many communities and parents say children are working. In coca growing communities, this often means collecting the leaf and earning roughly $20-30/day
3. Dropout when schools open
Ironically a return to presence class many spark withdrawals, say communities. Children are working &their families have come to rely on income. Some kids have been able to learn remotely in spare time while earning. In person would mean dropping out
Ironically a return to presence class many spark withdrawals, say communities. Children are working &their families have come to rely on income. Some kids have been able to learn remotely in spare time while earning. In person would mean dropping out
4. Blackmail, favors, debts
Mothers have shared stories of their children being roped into working or collaborating with armed & criminal groups who nab them using online games, lotteries, easy money.
"If we don& #39;t fill these kids& #39; time, someone will," as one put it.
Mothers have shared stories of their children being roped into working or collaborating with armed & criminal groups who nab them using online games, lotteries, easy money.
"If we don& #39;t fill these kids& #39; time, someone will," as one put it.
My greatest fear from this pandemic, speaking personally, is an entire generation lost in cycles of conflict--sparked and exacerbated from the months of school they have been unable to attend.
This is a health crisis, economic crisis, but also fundamentally a protection crisis.
This is a health crisis, economic crisis, but also fundamentally a protection crisis.
