In Sierra Leone, child labour leaves childhoods on hold

Almost 1 in 5 children in Sierra Leone are engaged in child labour. Child labour compromises children’s education, limiting future opportunities and perpetuating an inter-generational cycle of deprivation.

Social service workers play a key role in recognizing, preventing and managing risks that can lead to child labour. In Sierra Leone, UNICEF works with the Government to strengthen both child protection and education systems, ensuring that children at risk of child labour are identified early and connected to support services. Through case management, positive parenting programmes, and community engagement, UNICEF helps families understand the value of keeping children in school rather than sending them to hazardous work. These efforts aim to keep children safe, learning, and able to enjoy their childhoods.

Adama and Vandy both agree that finding a way back to their educations will be crucial in helping them – and their families – break out of the cycle that so many other children find themselves in.

“When I finish school, I want to be a [successful] woman,” Adama says. “I want to be a teacher.”

Vandy, meanwhile, is focused on finding a way to support his family. “I want to go back to school. But I want them to bring back the teachers,” he says. “I want to be a minister when I grow up so that I can help my family.”