Empowerment And Protection For Brick Kiln’s Children (EPBK)
Rising Above the Dust
Protect • Educate • Empower • Sustain
Brick kiln communities face deep and interconnected challenges, including poverty, child labor, poor health, unsafe drinking water, irregular school attendance, and limited livelihood opportunities. These conditions keep families trapped in a cycle of seasonal labor dependency and prevent children from enjoying their rights to education, protection, and healthy development.
The EPBK Project was launched to break this cycle through an integrated approach that combines health, education, child protection, water and sanitation, and livelihood support — and over time, it has evolved into a scalable, sustainable community transformation model.
From the beginning to the ongoing phase, the project has:
- Expanded its reach
- Increased beneficiary coverage
- Strengthened long-term outcomes
Today, EPBK is not just supporting brick worker and communities — it is transforming systems and livelihoods.
Why This Work Matters
Across both phases of implementation, key challenges identified include:
- Persistent child labor risks
- Irregular school attendance and dropout
- High burden of untreated illnesses
- Low income and seasonal dependency on brick kiln labor
- Limited access to safe water and sanitation
- Lack of skills and alternative livelihoods
Our Vision:
- Protection: Safeguarding children from exploitation and ensuring their rights.
- Education: Guaranteeing regular school attendance and quality learning opportunities.
- Empowerment: Equipping families with skills, health services, and alternative livelihoods.
- Sustainability: Creating long-term systems that support community transformation beyond seasonal labor.
EPBK Response:
A multi-sectoral, sustainable approach that addresses: Health, Education, child Protection, Livelihood, Empowerment.
EPBK Care and Supports Includes in 2024-2025
- Health, Nutrition & Well being
Scaling access, improving lives
Over time, the project expanded from basic outreach to structured health interventions.
Activities:
- Mobile health check-ups
- Health education sessions
- Nutrition workshops for mothers
- First aid and hygiene training
- Child malnutrition screening (MUAC)
- Mental health awareness integration
Impact:
- Increased health service utilization
- Improved nutrition awareness and practices
- 90% reduction in waterborne diseases sustained over time
- Education & Child Protection
From access to continuity
It expanded to retention, performance, and empowerment.
Activities:
- Scholarship to 65 children of brick kilns
- Strengthening child clubs
- Street drama and advocacy campaigns
- School material distribution
- Vocational training and empowerment
Impact:
- Increase in number of children supported
- Dropout reduced and sustained at 0% among supported children
- Consistent 100% attendance
- Children actively engaging in advocacy and leadership.
Education Progress
- Scholarship Coverage – 65+ Children
- Dropout Rate – 0% Achieved
- Initially, some children were at risk of dropping out.
- Through continuous support and monitoring, the dropout rate was later reduced to 0%.
- Attendance – 100% Maintained
- All supported children attended school regularly.
- Child Care & Learning Enviroments
The Child Care and Learning Environments has enhanced early childhood development and educational readiness through targeted support.
Key activities included establishing day care centers, brick learning and coaching centers, leadership development initiatives, and nutrition and hygiene support.
These interventions have led to improved early childhood outcomes, increased school readiness, and stronger academic performance trends over time, contributing to long-term educational success within the community.
- Livelihood Upliftment & Economic Empowerment
The Health, Nutrition, and Well-being Project has evolved from basic outreach to structured interventions that improve community health.
Core activities included mobile health check-ups, education sessions, nutrition workshops for mothers, first aid and hygiene training, malnutrition screening using MUAC, and integration of mental health awareness.
These efforts led to increased use of health services, stronger nutrition practices, and a sustained 90% reduction in waterborne diseases, demonstrating the project’s lasting impact on overall well-being.
- Livelihood Progress Over Time
The Livelihood Progress Project has significantly enhanced household economic stability over time.
Before the intervention, most families relied solely on daily wage labor, with average monthly incomes below NPR 10,000. Through the introduction of diversified income sources, particularly organic vegetable and chicken farming, families have achieved greater financial resilience.
Current monthly earnings have risen to approximately NPR 25,000–30,000, reflecting substantial improvement. Importantly, women now play an active role in livelihood activities, contributing meaningfully to household income and strengthening overall community empowerment.
- Water, Sanitation & Enviroment
The Water, Sanitation, and Environment Program has strengthened community health through safe practices and awareness campaigns.
By distributing ceramic water filters and promoting environmental cleanliness, the project expanded safe water access to over 150 households in a year. These interventions improved hygiene behaviors and achieved a sustained 90% reduction in waterborne diseases, with notable success at the brick factory following filter distribution.
- Capacity Building & Skill Development
The Capacity Building and Skill Development Program has enabled youth to transition from labor-based work to skill-oriented pathways. Through computer training for SEE graduates, pottery and vocational skill development, and life skills with employ-ability support, participants have gained confidence and practical competencies. Over time, this has increased employ-ability and fostered the emergence of local entrepreneurs and skilled workers, strengthening both household income and community resilience.
Conclusion
The project has successfully improved community well‑being through integrated efforts in health, nutrition, livelihoods, education, water and sanitation, and skill development.
Families have moved from survival‑based labor to sustainable income sources, health service use has increased, waterborne diseases have reduced by 90%, and children now access better learning environments.
Women and youth are empowered as active contributors, creating dignity, resilience, and lasting change across communities.
