Mamou, to the rescue of domestic helpers in western Mali
In Kayes, awareness-raising sessions for under-age domestic helpers are being held with the financial support of the European Union so that they know their rights.
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It is 9pm this Friday evening in the backyard of a house in Kayes. The owner brings mats, chairs and stools, while young girls arrive in groups of two or three. Soon there are about thirty of them and they form a circle around Mamou, a child protection assistant for Enda-Mali, an organization supporting UNICEF's NGO partners Terre des hommes Lausanne in implementing the project "Protection of children affected by mobility and other vulnerable children on the main migration routes in Mali".It is 9pm this Friday evening in the backyard of a house in Kayes. The owner brings mats, chairs and stools, while young girls arrive in groups of two or three. Soon there are about thirty of them and they form a circle around Mamou, a child protection assistant for Enda-Mali, an organization supporting UNICEF's NGO partners Terre des hommes Lausanne in implementing the project "Protection of children affected by mobility and other vulnerable children on the main migration routes in Mali".
"The awareness-raising sessions take place at 9 p.m. because the housekeepers work until 8 p.m. every day, and the night is the only time they have time and where they can be seen," explains Mamou, before adding: "It's up to us to reach out to them because they are often isolated.”
The girls, aged 13 to 16, come from all over the region and even from the neighbouring region of Koulikoro. "There are a lot of domestic helpers here because it is said that every family in Kayes has a member abroad and it is thanks to the money from the diaspora that families take on domestic helpers," says Mamou. This problem has led UNICEF to develop an awareness-raising programme aimed at this specific group of children, who are often on the move and very vulnerable.
Every Friday evening, social workers from the NGO Enda-Mali conduct awareness-raising sessions for the children to know their rights. Tonight, the discussion is about where to find shelter. "You can face difficulties in life and you should not hesitate to ask for help," Mamou begins nicely.
"If you have problems you can come and we are here to welcome you, to listen to you. Who can name a child protection structure?” Silence. "Can you show me the places drawn on the panel?" asks Laya, a social worker for Enda-Mali, holding up a sign to the public by torchlight. “The court, yes, the police, very good ; the health centres, there you go ; the town hall too, the NGO Enda-Mali too, yes, that's us!” Each correct answer deserves a gift and Mamou cheerfully distributes marbles to the children present.
"When can we go to these structures?" asks Mamou.
"Any time!", the children answer in chorus.
The question-and-answer rounds continue until the facilitators feel that the message has been passed on.
"Good, pass on the information, share what you have learned tonight and see you next Friday for another talk," concludes Mamou energetically.
The meeting is finally adjourned and the girls disappear into the streets of Kayes after a quick greeting. "They return to their families, who sometimes treat them like objects and, in the worst cases, assault them," Mamou sighs as she watches them leave. "But thanks to this project, we have helped 10 young housekeepers to get out of difficult situations in 2021," she says. In the same year, 80 girls among many children on the move in Kayes have benefited from awareness-raising sessions such as this one, thanks to financial support from the European Union.
To learn more, read the portrait of Mariam*, a 14-year-old housekeeper who benefited from UNICEF support.
*Name has been change for protection reason.
