Child Labourers Score Goal Against Illiteracy

While the Football fever was growing in the world, the four goals were shot against child labour and three against illiteracy during a unique match played by former child bonded labourers.

Most of them have been freed during last week from various factories in the capital, New Delhi. This match was organized by Bachpan Bachao Andolan on the World Day against Child Labour in Mukti Ashram, a transit rehabilitation Centre for Freed Child Labourers.

The children divided themselves into 2 teams - End Child Labour and Education for All - so whichever team wins - child rights is the winner!

All the Players, Referee and Commentators were former Child labourer. Including Zinab, 13, who spent most of her childhood stitching footballs in a small village in Meerut, before she was withdrawn from work and enrolled in school by the volunteers of Bachpan Bachao Andolan.. Zinab Said “It was always a dream for children stitching football to play with it one day but our dream hardly comes true.”

Mr. Kailash Satyarthi, President of Global Campaign for Education, Co Chair of the One Goal Campaign played soccer with the children. He said, “This soccer match was arranged to ensure that former child labourers also can closely follow the soccer world cup as all other children. Every child has a right to play, to receive quality education, freedom and childhood but these rights have been robbed by various interests. More than 215 million children who are engaged as child labourers today is the biggest scandal of our time.”

Mr. R.S .Chaurasia, Chairperson of BBA said “The soccer match meant a lot for these children; it meant freedom, joy and getting their childhood back.” He also added that the world cup has brought with itself freedom for these children rescued during India Action Week.

Bachpan Bachao Andolan steered the India Action Week against Child Labour with more than 400 children rescued already and more than 30 employers/ traffickers arrested. Majority of child laborers rescued were working in garment factories in National Capital. Most of them are from state of Bihar and few of them have also been trafficked from Nepal.

Contact Information

Sudhanshu Joshi

Executive Director

International Centre on Child Labour and Education

Contact via E-mail