A laudable project designed to save school children from artisanal and small-scale mining areas in villages around North Mara Gold Mine has officially kicked off in mining areas of Tanzania.

The project dubbed Youth in Transformation of Conflict in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (YTCASM) is being implemented under the coordination of Search for Common Ground (SFCG) by a total of 80 male and female students from Ingwe and Bwirege community ward secondary schools.

The students are currently attempting to establish the reasons behind increased number of children engaging in artisanal and small mining activities and possible solutions against the problem.

"After receiving training on research and journalistic techniques we are now conducting research to find out major reasons forcing school and out of school children to engage in artisanal and small scale mining activities ", Ms Ghati Mahenye, a Form Three student at Bwirege Secondary School said.

The students had formed peace clubs with the support of SFCG, an international non-profit organisation that has since 2011 been striving to support conflict transformation in villages around the gold mine.

"We will also research on the perception, attitudes, knowledge of the community in relation to children being involved in artisanal and small mining instead of going to school," Mr Samson John, the chairperson of Ingwe Secondary School peace club said.

The findings will be aired in local radio stations and further used in other local media houses, a move that is expected to trigger immediate interventions from key stakeholders.

SFCG had equipped the students with working equipment like tape recorders, digital cameras, computers and advanced mobile phones.

According SFCG Manager at Tarime District Office, Mr Jacob Mulikuza, most vulnerable children working in artisanal and small scale mining areas will be assisted to go back to school under the project.

The project is also aimed at increasing awareness on the challenges facing children and youth in artisanal and small scale mining areas as well as reducing absenteeism and drop-out rates in primary and secondary schools.

The project was recently endorsed by key stakeholders including village government chairpersons of all villages surrounding North Mara Gold Mine during an accrual meeting held at Ingwe Secondary School.