Manuals & Field Guides
Improving Working Conditions
Dual Purpose Loans
Dual purpose loans allow business owners to improve the profitability of their business, but also to improve the working conditions or learning opportunities for working children. PPIC-Work dual purpose loans focus on improving workplace conditions by identifying and mitigating hazards. This manual supports MFIs in developing loan products that fulfill double bottom line objectives.
Guide (PDF)
Code of Conduct
The code of conduct was developed through a participatory process with business owners and working children. It sets out minimum standards for children’s work and the code of conduct is integrated into the loan contract that business owners sign with MFIs.
Code of Conduct (PDF)
Hazard Assessment and Mitigation in the Workplace
Most economically active children perform work that involves some hazards; many of these hazards can be mitigated through the positive relationship the MFIs have with business owners. These manuals are designed to provide MFI staff and other non-occupational safety and health specialists with tools and information to assess and mitigate workplace hazards in collaboration with business owners.
Instructors Manual (PDF)
Participant Manual (PDF)
Hazard Assessment Section 3 - Additional Materials (PDF)
Trainer Slides (PowerPoint)
Improving Learning Opportunities
Education Support Program
The Education Support Program helps working children to either stay in school or, if they have already dropped out, to learn basic literacy and numeracy skills. Participatory learning methodologies are especially effective for working children, as they validate life experiences, build self esteem and make learning more relevant. This manual will help organizations who wish to learn more about PPIC-Work’s Education Support Program and provides concrete support in setting up such a program.
Guide (PDF)
Computer Based Learning
This manual describes the origins and design of the game and provides assistance in setting up and playing Ba’alty. The game was developed and designed by PPIC-Work at the request of working girls that were interested in learning about computers and in using computers to learn about business. Ba’alty teaches girls and boys both business ethics and entrepreneurial skills and means “my shop” in Egyptian Arabic. Players set up and run a small store, access credit, hire and train employees and learn to invest in a safety.
Learning Through Work
Learning Through Work is an intervention designed to maximize the learning that takes place in the workplace in the course of normal job-related tasks. Learning occurs in three main areas: technical, business and life skills. The intervention includes: enhancing the instructional abilities of business owners through workshops, tours and discussion groups; improving business owner access to new technologies that will require more skilled workers; and identifying and filling learning gaps through relevant educational programming (see Education Support Program).
Guide (PDF)
Report (PDF)
Paper (PDF)
Key Processes
Child Rights
The PPIC-Work project was developed using a rights based approach with working children. This manual provides microfinance staff, in particular loan officers, with an overview of children’s rights and how these can be applied to the case of working children. It is based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Participants Manual (PDF)
Supplementary Materials (PDF)
Working Paper (PDF)
Gender Equality
This manual provides tools and information to allow MFI staff to understand the importance of gender issues in dealing with working children. PPIC-Work adapted the content from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)’s course on Gender Equality, tailoring it to the need of microfinance institutions in the Egyptian context.
Participants Manual (PDF)
Children's Participation
Many of the interventions under PPIC-Work depend on organizations being able to work successfully with children. This manual provides both concrete support (activities) and theoretical background for organizations wishing to improve their staff’s abilities to work with children. Programming with working children helps them in understanding and claiming their rights and in learning the importance of gender equality as well as developing capacities in team building, decision making, communications and presentational skills.
Children's Participation (PDF)
Photography Manual (PDF)