MICROFINANCE, CHILD LABOR AND RIGHT TO EDUCATION: THE CASE OF JAMII BORA TRUST IN KENYA

Child labor, defined as work that deprives children of their childhood, potential and dignity, often hinders their access to education; this interference occurs when children are denied the opportunity to attend school, either due to being forced to leave school prematurely or being required to combine school attendance with long and heavy work schedules. In many low-income countries, parents are forced to send their children to work or employ them in family businesses due to financial constraints. Unfortunately, such engagement in work opportunities can obstruct children’s education, which is a fundamental human right, not a privilege for a few: a household’s demand for education is dictated not only by parents’ personal preferences, but also by economic necessity. This is where microfinance comes into its own: by providing credit and other financial services to the most marginalized, microfinance offers security, fosters economic growth and empowers individuals to take their future into their own hands. This research aims to reveal whether microfinance can be an effective tool to tackle the issue of child labor and to enable children to fully enjoy their right to education. After a review of relevant literature on the concepts of child labor, right to education and microfinance, the study delves into the Kenyan case of Jamii Bora Trust, a local microfinance provider dedicated to helping urban street children and the poorest individuals in Nairobi’s informal settlements and rural areas to "climb the ladder of poverty themselves". To enrich and expand this investigation, field research was conducted in collaboration with Jamii Bora Trust, and interviews were carried out with active members residing in urban slums and rural communities around Nairobi.