Partner:
Free the Slaves (FTS)
Period:
December 2011 – March 2012
Country of Operation:
Ghana
Category:
Child Protection & Community Development
Project Snapshot:
This project was part of an 18-month initiative aimed at protecting children from sexual exploitation and abuse in informal gold mining communities. It was implemented in 10 communities across three districts in the Ashanti Region: Obuasi Municipality, Adansi North, and Amansie Central. The project sought to engage community members in actively reducing child exploitation by leveraging local culture, education, and research.
A key innovation of the project was the use of narrative pedagogy—a method that integrates storytelling and education—to raise awareness about child abuse. Illustrated narratives were developed to communicate important themes around child protection, child health, and community-based prevention strategies.
Project Objectives:
- Create a safer environment for children in informal gold mining communities.
- Raise awareness about sexual exploitation and child abuse through culturally relevant storytelling.
- Equip community members with knowledge on child health, recognizing abuse, and protective parenting.
- Encourage local action to prevent and respond to child exploitation.
PDA’s Task:
PDA was responsible for the design, facilitation, and implementation of community engagement activities using the narrative pedagogy approach. Our tasks included:
- Conducting research on child exploitation trends in mining communities.
- Developing printed and illustrated educational materials tailored to local cultural contexts.
- Training community facilitators on child protection and abuse prevention.
- Engaging parents, teachers, and local leaders in workshops to foster protective behaviors.
How We Went About It:
- Participatory Research: Conducted community-based research to understand local child protection challenges and solutions.
- Educational Materials Development: Created illustrated narratives addressing child abuse, health, and safety.
- Community Workshops: Organized training sessions for parents, teachers, and community leaders on identifying and preventing child abuse.
- Cultural Integration: Used traditional storytelling methods to facilitate discussions on child protection.
- Monitoring & Follow-Up: Engaged with local groups to assess project impact and community response.