thematic areas
Child abour
DCI believes that any initiatives to end child labour must address its root causes, such as poverty, and must emphasize the right to education. In 2015, DCI launched a child labour programme with the aim of reinforcing DCI’s action on the prevention and elimination of child labour, especially in its most hazardous forms, and strengthening local efforts to protect all working children. The objectives of the programme is to Reduce the numbers of children involved in the worst forms of child labour, and those who are working below the minimum age of employment through improving access to education and vocational schools. Mainstream child labour and child rights standards into all national policies, and influence the implementation of policies concerning children and their families; Promote the participation of children in awareness raising on issues concerning children’s rights and child labour.
Violence Against Children
DCI has been working on awareness raising for combating all types of violence against children, through national and awareness campaigns in close collaboration with the higher council of childhood and in partnership with the Lebanese union for child welfare that is composed of 52 local NGOs working for children.
Education
DCI invests in improving access to education through providing non-formal education and vocational training programmes for out of school and marginalized Lebanese and refugee children, with special attention to girls, taking into consideration their gender needs. The education activities provide out-of-school children and youth access to structured learning, reinforce their self-esteem and help them find ways to contribute to their communities. It also serves as a ‘bridge’ to help out-of-school children and youth improve their academic skills to the point where they can re-enter the formal school system.
Psychosocial Support
DCI focuses on the child's resilience, strengths and skills and develop opportunities to build on these foundations and acknowledge these positive aspects; we do so through introducing innovative and creative tools using dance and movement therapy. Currently, Yoga and dance sessions are being implemented inside the Palestinian camps of Lebanon.All our interventions are based on the child's developmental age, culturally relevant, flexible, safe, appropriate and carried out by a trained professional. Provision of psychosocial support is crucial for children to help them overcome difficult experiences such as exposure to violence, loss of, or separation from, family members and friends, deterioration in living conditions, and loss of childhood and opportunities to play and learn which all have significant impact on children’s psychosocial well-being and development.