World Street Children News :: Bangladesh Streetkid News

Tokai
The Street urchin (Tokai) doesn’t care about politics. Bangladeshi political parties, Awami League or BNP or whatever- all seems to him equal when it’s a matter of pee! The short film, directed by Naimul Islam Opu, was shot in anarchy style. Edited by Ishtiaque Zico. [Note: this is the 3rd rough cut, not the final one.]

Horrendous Life of Street Children in Bangladesh

Street girls are seen as a socio-economy phenomenon rather then a social category - a phenomenon created by social systems, gender rules, political and economic.

The phenomenon of street children and girls has been a major concern for most areas of Dhaka city. Thousands of street children and girls all over in Bangladesh, primarily in the urban areas, work and live in the streets.

Life in the streets is hard and unsafe, especially for girls who are defenseless to all sorts of risks including reckless motorist, abusive police officer, drugs, crimes, and prostitution syndicates.

Reasons:

1. Poverty.
2. Increasing dissatisfaction with the public educational system together with the difficult living conditions.
3. Broken families.
4. For the sake of surviving.

Seventy to eight percent of teen girls have been victims of sexual abuse.

Some times street girls and Floating sex workers are closely associated with the terminal, port and transport industries where they find a large supply of potential clients and customers.

Children are arrested, beaten and molested on any pretext. Once arrested there generally is no end of the detention. It can continue for years without trial, in rat-infested prisons. There are reported incidents of pregnant girl prostitutes kicked in the stomach by adults in authority to induce abortions and of continuous rape of children in custody.

Bottom line

The street children’s image of themselves is contaminated by the way society perceives them. Often they are forced by the situation to compromise their self-respect by such actions that reinforce their low self-opinion.

Continuously they are victimized. They have nothing to fall back on for their existence and survival except their own wits.

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

(Blog Entry) 

Street children (Toaki) in Dhaka City: What do they eat?

Street children in Dhaka city lead a very measurable life. They eat various kinds of things. But from where they get it? Most of they have to face of kindness of people. Some time they have to face the rude behave from people.In these pictures one boy is eating food sitting by a loan place. He also shared it with his companion. He and his companion always share all things. If any one gives some money they also divide it equally.

Globalfootprint has written:

“Some of the children are on the street - they work, play and spend most of their day with other children on the street but have families to return to at night. These children often help the family earn money by working on the streets.

Other children are of the street - they survive without family, entirely on their own, except for the company of other street children or those willing to help and support them.”

Although they eat food by the kindness of others but they have a simple mind to help others. Dear viewers, in this picture you can see that one boy is giving food to the dog.

Ensuring child rights By Md. Sazedul Islam Wed, 24 Jan 2007, 08:55:00

Nasima was brought up at her grandmother’s house along with four sisters when her mother died when she was very young. Her father remarried. Due to physical torture and abuse by her stepmother, she ran away from the house and came to Dhaka where she started working as a domestic help in two houses. But she could not bear the heavy load of works. She came to street and survived by picking waste paper.

She met the staff of Aparajeyo Bangladesh (AB), a NGO, which has street children’s club at Arambag in the capital. She was enrolled in the center and showed interest in her education and became an active member of the center. Due to her self-motivation and personal development, she was transferred to AB’s girls’ hostel.

Nasima, 15, now student of Class VIII, is a talented dancer and orator. She completed a beautician course on April 2005 through the assistance of ARISE (Appropriate Resources Improving Street Children’s Environment) which is a joint project of Ministry of Social Welfare and UNDP taken for ensuring the welfare of street children.

Currently, Nasima is working part-time as a peer educator in AB’s HIV/AIDS prevention programme and received a monthly salary of Tk. 2,000. She wants to work in a beauty parlor to gain experiences and have her own beauty parlor in the future.

Aparajeyo Bangladesh is one of the partner NGOs engaged in implementing the ARISE project. The story of Nasima is not an isolated one; there are many other children who fall to troubles. Children are the hopes and future of a nation, because development of future civilization depends on them. If a child’s survival, development and protection are at take, then the development of a country at large is threatened.

Children are wealth of a state. When children are so important in the life of a nation, she/he can be neither ignored nor neglected in the onward march of world civilization. But unfortunately they become labour at an early age when they should be free from anxiety and food, clothing and education.

Children have equal status with adults, as members of human race and their survival, development and active participation are crucial to the progress of our society. Some times, children are beaten up, trafficked to another country, forced to take up risky works without salary, sexually harassed and sold after abduction. Sometimes, they are discriminated on gender or racial causes.

They have rights to be saved from this injustice. Child domestic service is widespread practice in urban areas. Child domestic workers come from extremely poor families, many have been abandoned or orphaned, or come from single parent families.

The National Child Labour Survey, 2002-03 by Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics conducted throughout the country, covered the child population aged 5-17 years living in the households. The estimated number of children in this age category is over 4.23 crore. According to National Child Labour Survey, of total child population in the 5-17 age group, 74.23 lakh were engaged in economic activity in 2002-03. Out of the working children, about 54,71,000 were boys and 19,52,000 girls.

The survey report said there are 40.67 lakh children who neither go to school and nor engage in any works. Working children were involved in 300 types of work and of these, 49 are injurious to their physical and mental welfare. Of the total working children in Bangladesh, 7.7 percent were engaged in hazardous works in Bangladesh.

According to ILO, children are employed in wide range of manufacturing process and the results namely lost childhood, foregone education and special susceptibility to the hazards of the work, are same for all. The children are the mainstays of a nation, keeping this mind; the government has taken up a number of activities that have direct bearing upon the children.

The Convention on the Rights of Child (CRC) is a powerful tool and framework to help protect the lives and promote the development of children around the world.

Bangladesh government, which is aware of the rights of its future citizen, ratified the CRC and participated at the World Summit for Children in September 1990 to launch the CRC. Hence, the observance of Child Rights Week from Sept 29 to Oct 5 is very significant in this regard.

The government committed to CRC is giving maintenance of law and order top priority and in 2000 passed ‘Supervision of Violence Against Women and Children Act’. The Social Welfare Ministry has been assigned with the key role of overseeing all activities relating to children. The Ministries of Women, Health and Family Planning, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Religious, LGRD, and Foreign have been brought together in the inter ministerial committee on the rights of children.

The Labour and Manpower Ministry is effectively enforcing the existing children’s Act which protect children from a number of exploitations and physical strains at work place. A labour law commission has been set up to modify the existing laws. Besides, government has taken up a scheme for the distressed children giving them training and education in 400 thanas of the country.

Bangladesh have enacted an important law protecting the interests of the children and their well being named ‘The Children Act-1974′. There are some other laws touching the interest and development of faculty of children named Bangladesh Boys Scout Act, Girls Guide Act and Shishu Academy Act.

Since the ratification of the Convention in 1991, Bangladesh has taken up some important steps for increasing awareness of the rights of the children. National Children’s day beginning in 1992 now turned into a Child Rights Week providing a valuable platform for raising awareness of child rights among children and population in general. The Islamic Foundation has disseminated information on the rights of children to Imams throughout the country.

Bangladesh have adhered to numerous regional and international declarations concerning children. A National Children Policy was adopted in December 1994. It lists the main objectives about the rights of child and calls for creation of a National Council for Children comprising relevant government ministries, agencies, individuals and NGO representatives.

Its functions include making policy on the welfare of the children and working for the adoption of new laws where necessary. National Plan of Action (1997-2002) was undertaken for development of children. Women and Children Affairs Ministry, UNICEF and other NGOs are jointly working on way to taking up another 2002-2007 National Plan of Action for creating a child friendly environment across the country.

Birth registration of children has already been introduced and various steps taken up to ensure that no child fall victim to discrimination. Government has declared the 2001-2010 as Child Rights Decade to raise awareness about child rights among the people. Shishu Academy was formed and the Women Ministry was turned into Women and Children Affairs Ministry in 1994.

A programme named ‘Natun Kuri’ was launched on Television for children aimed at encouraging their talent. The government made primary education compulsory and giving cash incentive to parents of the children to ensure less drop out. The government committed to stop repression on children has established a safe custody to provide security for children who are sent to jail.

Bangladesh government has taken up Appropriate Resources for Improving Street Children’s Environment (ARISE) project to promote and protect the rights of the children. ARISE envisions a favourable environment congenial to the health growth and empowerment of the street children.

Some 55,000 street children of country’s six divisional cities have been benefited so far in the ARISE, the first government initiative to address and resolve the street children phenomenon. It is not possible for government alone to ensure the development for children. Everybody, including parents, should come forward for the welfare of the children.

(PID-UNICEF Feature)

Eid joy eludes street children
Wasim Bin Habib

Although Eid brings joy and happiness to people of almost all walks of life, the street children can hardly share this joy and happiness due to their poverty.

While talking to The Daily Star, several street children said they have no respite from work to think about Eid which is just knocking at the door.

They said Eid does not bring any special message for them except that they can earn some extra money by selling flowers, popcorns and water bottles in different places like Shishu Park, Ramna Park, National Zoo and Botanical Garden in the city on that day.

Mita, a seven-year old girl who sells flowers at different traffic signals, said when other children come out of their houses wearing new dresses to have fun on Eid day, she just sells flower to earn some extra money.

With emotion-chocked voice she said she never get any new dress for Eid and her mother told her that Eid is meant for the rich people and not for the poor like them.

"While selling flowers, I have seen many happy boys and girls of my age coming out from the market with lots of shopping bags along with their parents. My mother said they are lucky because they are rich," said Mita.

When asked about her plan on Eid day, she said she will sell more flower bouquets and chains on that day and earn some money to buy ice cream.

Sumon, who lives at Hatirpool area and sells popcorn on Nazrul Islam Avenue, said he has no plan for Eid.

"Many children wear new dresses and I just see them," he said, adding, "Sometimes I think if I could wear new dresses on the Eid day and have fun like them."

Raju, who sells chocolate at Shahbagh area, said Shishu Park is the only place in the city where street children can have some free rides on Eid day.

"And that’s why I am saving money to visit Shishu Park during the Eid," he added.

"But the Shishu Park becomes so crowded on the Eid day that we have to struggle with others to enjoy the amusements there," said Mili, a nine-year old girl who sells flower chains at Shahbagh intersection.

However, there are many local, international, government and non-government organisations which have taken various projects for street children’s education, health and other well-being.

Shakhawat Ullah Chowdhury, divisional co-ordinator of Arise Project under the Directorate of Social Welfare, said they have made special arrangements for street children across the country ahead of Eid-ul-Azha as they did during the Eid-ul-Fitr.

On the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, cattle would be sacrificed on behalf of the project in different shelters and vagrant homes, he added.

He said arrangements will also be made so that street children can celebrate the Eid like other people.

Yet, the number of street children who will pass their Eid without a full meal is greater than those who will have new clothes and foods to be provided by different NGOs.

Street children to march in victory parade For the first time ever underprivileged children have been included in the Victory Day Parade Raihan Sabuktagin December 13, 2006 For the first time in nation’s history, a group of underprivileged street children will participate in the national victory day parade to be held on December 16, the Victory Day at the Bangabandhu stadium. Members of the Ansar Battalion in the city are now training a group of about 35 children to march and perform together in discipline. The children have been given proper uniforms and shoes to wear during the parade. Every day for four hours the children are training at the Fakirapool ground. Mahmdul Hasan Momid aged 9 lives in a shelter house in Arambagh run by the Apayrajaya, an NGO working with street children. Momid says he finds it extremely exciting to march in files in uniforms and shoes. "I cannot express how good I feel during this training, it is something new to me," Momid said while rehearsing at the training ground yesterday. "I feel proud of the people who fought for the county and saved it from the enemies," he added. Rafida, about 11 lives in a shelter house in Mirpur run by an NGO called Padakhep. She said that she could not believe that she would be selected for the parade. "It is my pleasure to celebrate the victory day as a participant in the national parade." She added that she was feeling the beats somewhere within her heart and it sure felt different. "When I am following the commands I feel that I am marching against my enemies and I have to defeat them, it is an inspiration for me," Rafida said during her training yesterday. Ansar commander Akijur Rahman, working as instructor for the children said that the kids were excellent in their performance. He said that within a ten-day training period the kids have perfectly learnt marching like the regular forces in the parade ground. Rover scout Reetu who also trained the children at the ground, told Star City he was proven wrong when on the first day of training he went home thinking that the children would not be able to adjust. "On the second day they performed so well that I was surprised," Reetu said. Appropriate Resources for Improving Street Children’s Environment (ARISE) with its partner-organisations jointly created the opportunity for the underprivileged children. Kakoli Chakrabarty of the ARISE, a government programmer said that they first contacted the Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka and proposed him about their participation. "The matter of quality is important for the national parade and we assured the authority about the quality of performance by these children," Chakrabarty said. "We gathered 42 children from Aparajeyo Bangladesh, Podokhep Manobik Unnoyon Kendra, Services Training Centre and Somaj Poriborton Kendra, and selected 35 children. Now I am feeling good because the kids are performing so well.", she said.

Underprivileged children rehearse at the Fakirapool playground yesterday for the Victory Day pared. PHOTO: STAR

Blockade forces street children into begging
Mahbuba Zannat

Street children, who collect recyclable goods from the streets to make a living, were forced into begging as the streets were the arena for political violence over the past weeks.

Due to increased police vigilance over the opposition blockade programme, these homeless children were also subjected to police abuse and repression.

"Whenever I go out to collect bhangari (recyclable goods) with a sack on my back the police beat me up suspecting that there are cocktails or other explosives in the sack," said Rana, a 12-year-old boy who has left home to live with other street children at Paltan in the city.

"As I cannot go out for work I use to beg money from people and sometime beg food from shop owners and hotel workers," he said.

This was not only the tale of Rana but also the tale of thousands of other under privileged children whose hand to mouth existence was threatened due to political agitation.

The blockade made these underprivileged children more vulnerable than others, said Mushtak Hossain of Incidin Bangladesh, a child rights organisation.

There are around 6.74 lakh street children in the country and 58 percent of them are living in Dhaka.

During the blockade the street children were also used for political purposes, said an official of government’s Appropriate Resources for Improving Street Children Environment Project.

"Hartal and blockade create negative pressure on the income of the street children. Besides, we have seen the street children with written slogans in their chests and backs which is a violation of International Child Rights Convention," said Amena Khatun, programme coordinator of Aparajeyo Bangladesh, adding that they would inform the policy makers of the matter.

They were used to join procession, rally and other programmes and sometimes they were given money for joining such political programmes.

" I received Tk 25 after joining a political procession on the last day of the blockade and I had a great meal on that day," said Kabir with a smile on his face questioning what is the problem if I join a procession and get some money?

Situation for the girls was more acute than boys.

"I have heard that police arrest the street children suspecting their involvement in political activities and take them to police stations. So I am passing my days wandering in the park and since the last two days I could not sell my chocolates to anyone," said Ripa, a 13-year-old street child.

Few shelter homes in the city are quite inadequate to help around 3,50,000 street children.

"But during the odd days the number of street children was almost doubled. They came to shelter homes to get free food as many of them had no work," said Aminul Islam of Aparajeyo Bangladesh.

Call for providing requisite facilities to street children

10/18/2006

RAJSHAHI, Oct 17 (BSS): Speakers at a discussion here Tuesday said the street children must get requisite facilities along with other fundamental rights for their proper physical and mental growth. "Effective community participation is essential for their proper rehabilitation side by side with the government efforts," they said. Assistance for Slum Dwellers (ASD) in collaboration with the Appropriate Resource for Improving Street Children’s Environment (ARISE), a project under the Ministry of Social Welfare, arranged the discussion on the occasion of distributing Eid dresses among street children at the Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) conference hall. On the occasion, Eid dresses were distributed among 60 street children enrolled with the ASD drop-in-centre being operated by the ARISE project. Some affluent people of the society donated the dresses. Speakers termed the street children as an important resource for the nation and said the vulnerable group can be transformed into workforce by providing them with necessary scopes.

Rippon

There are concerns about the number of children who are living rough on the streets of Bangladesh.

Latest figures show there are now 670,000 homeless children living there, a third more than there were in 2000.

That’s because many families move from the country to the city to find work but find it hard to get housing. So the kids are often forced onto the streets.

Lots of their children end up living in places like railway stations because they have nowhere else to go.

Rippon has been living in a railway station for a year since his mum died. He doesn’t know how old he is.

Every day he sits on the steps of the railway station hoping to earn tips from carrying people’s suitcases and bags. Security guards often try to move him on.

He said: "I don’t feel good. The police disturb us at night. They beat us. And there’s no food here.

"If I’m hungry I drink water and try to go to sleep."

Hope

There is hope for some homeless children who can go to an open-air school that was set up in the railway station but there are not many places.

Experts are warning that unless the street children are given somewhere to live their problems will only get worse. In 10 years time there could be up to a million children living on the streets of Bangladesh.

Hartal proving dangerous for street kids

Raihan Sabuktagin

Insecurity of food, increase of violence and fear of being detained by the police force a large number of the street children to leave Dhaka on the hartal days.

Some non-government organisations provide food aid to the street children on the hartal days but their coverage is too inadequate to feed them. So the street children prefer going outside Dhaka in search of work and food on these days.

Interviews with the street children and the experts in the NGOs which are working for the street children reveal that on the hartal days, many street children go outside Dhaka by train and launch as they can travel free on these modes of transport.

Selim, a 10-year-old boy who works at the Karwan Bazar kitchen market told Star City, ‘It is hard to earn or manage food on the hartal day as no truck arrives on the day and we do not have any work.’ For a meal on the hartal day, the street children at Kawran Bazar compete for the rotten vegetables and other stuff, Selim said.

For the risk of losing money to others, Selim does not save money for the hard days like hartal and blockades. ‘Usually I spend all my money as soon as I earn because keeping money in pocket is very risky when I am in sleep,’ he said.

‘On the evening before the latest hartal, I left Dhaka by train with my friends and we enjoyed lot of fun on the roof of the train,’ he added.

He said he had travelled to Sylhet on the last hartal day as he did several times on the hartal days in the past, sometimes with group and sometimes alone.

Saira, 13, a sex worker at Kamlapur Railway Station, said the hartal days are harsher than normal days. ‘The customers often refuse to pay money on these days. They capitalise thin crowed on the streets on hartal days,’ she said.

‘It is also hard to get customer on the hartal days as people do not get out from home.’

Arrest is another concern for the street children on the hartal days, said Jahangir, a street child who got a job at Chinnamul Shishu Kishor Sangstha last month.

He said that police and the activists of the political parties usually become violent on hartal days and the roads become very risky for street children.

Police often catch children from the troubled spots and detain them for long, Saddam, a 14-year-old boy, told Star City at Stadium Market. He said that on the hartal days, party people often hire them for throwing stones at the police. But he did not join them even for a single day in fear of arrest and baton-charge by the police.

Aminul Islam of Aparajeyo Bangladesh, an NGO, said they provide free food for the street children on the hartal days. Street children always feel insecure and the streets on the hartal days become more unsecured for them, he said.

Aminul said the NGOs working on the street children usually provide shelter to the urchins at their drop-in centres according to their capability. The number of children taking shelter in these centres doubles on the hartal days.

A monitoring officer of the Chinnamul Shishu Kishor Sangstha told Star City that most of the NGOs working on the street children provide food to the street children but a large portion of the children remain out of their coverage. These NGOs can help hardly 15 per cent of the street children on the hartal days, he said.

The NGOs are increasing their capacity to provide aid to the street children while the number of the children is also growing rapidly, he added. "Its hard to match aiding capability with the growth rate of the street children."