Culture and civilization has often times clashed in many societies in the world. Nations known for strict cultural adherences in Asia and Africa have looked down upon Western civilizations and those of their lineage that have adopted Western civilizations have been considered outcasts.

However, the shrinkage of the world due to instant communication and advanced and fast modes of travel have led to peoples of different cultures and societies get to know and appreciate other societies’ cultural values and civilizations.

While child labour in Asia and Africa has been appreciated and applauded as training for future family responsibilities, the same has been discouraged in Western civilizations as a serious hindrance to child health and development.

To date there is less appreciation and acceptance by especially rural dwellers of many African nations that children should not be involved in heavy domestic, farm and other forms of labour intensive activities.

In Zambia’s mumbwa district, an organization known as People’s Action Forum (PAF) in conjunction with the ILO/IPEC has embarked on a program of withdrawing young children involved in agricultural labour.
Being a rural setting, agriculture is the main economic activity in the area and has seen hundreds of children working on family agriculture holdings and commercial farms.

PAF was formed in August 1994 as an indigenous non-profit making non-governmental organization and has since grown with a membership of approximately 1,000 members around the country, most of whom are in the rural areas.

Working with whole communities, especially with their women and children, PAF’s approach is to help local groups realize that their development cannot be some abstract body’s responsibility, but their own; that rather than wait for Government to decide what they need, people should insist on being involved in the decision making processes for necessary redress of issues concerning their community’s welfare.

Let each one of us stop for a minute and ask ourselves what we are doing to help children. Remember, if we help them, they will help us.