Inspiring Stories From The Field of Working Children in Bangladesh

Inspiring Life
Stories
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Working Children in
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Save the Children

House No. CWN (A) 35, Road No. 43
Gulshan-2, Dhaka 1212
Bangladesh
Tel:+ 88-02-986 1690-1, Fax: 88-02-9886372
Web: www.savethechildren.net
ngladesh
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: 978-98
standard followed (Obtained
by Project Coordinators
in the field)
This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The content of this publication are
the outcomes of the project Strengthening Non-State Actors (NSA) and Local Bodies (LBs) to reduce child poverty
and promote rights of vulnerable children (VC)/Europe/Aid/128141/L/ACT/BD. The publisher holds copyright,
but text and photos may be reproduced for non profit purpose. Prior permission is encouraged for such use.
Contents
Abbreviations
Preface
vi
Child Workers In Bangladesh
About the Project
The Situation of Working Children in Project Locations
CHAPTERS: Each chapter highlights a key intervention of the Project. A selection of Inspirational stories then reveal how its
implementation has achieved positive outcomes for working children in the relevant NSA project locations.
CHAPTER ONE:
Intervention: Learning and Recreation Centres A Place to Learn, Play and Make Friends
Inspiration:
Rabbani Helped to Return to School
Sumitra Becomes a Role Model
Miraj Wins Awards for Painting
Mehdi Helped to Fulfil His Singing Dreams
Rina Dreams to be a Nurse
11
12
14
16
18
20
CHAPTER TWO:
23
Intervention: Childrens Forums A Platform for the Voice of Working Children

Inspiration:
Pre-Primary School Built for Working Children
Children Learn New Skills at Theatre for Development
Child Forum Advocates for Working Children
25
26
28
30
CHAPTER THREE:
33
Intervention: Centre Management Committees A Platform for Community Participation

Inspiration:
CMC Sets Example of Good Management
CMC Cooperates with Local Government and NGOs
CMC Helps Children Return to School
CMC Brings Positive Changes to Local Community
33
23
35
36
37
38
40
CHAPTER FOUR:
41
Intervention: Child Protection Committees Project Members who Protect the Wellbeing of Children
Inspiration:
41
44
46
48
UP Chairman Safeguards Child Protection

CPC Ensures Better Working Conditions
Ward Councilor puts Child Protection First
43
CHAPTER FIVE:
Intervention: Codes of Conduct for Employers Associations How Employers are Working Together
51
to Improve Child Working Conditions
51
Inspiration:
53
54
56
58
Young Businessman Takes Up Code of Conduct

Employers Association Receives Recognition
Plastic Association Protects Wellbeing of Children
CHAPTER SIX:
Intervention: Local Bodies and Service Linkages Helping Working Children and Poor Families
61
Access Government Benefits and Social Support
61
Inspiration:
Children Protected from Hazardous Work
Ward Councilor becomes Guardian of Working Children
Community Leader is a Voice for Working Children
63
64
66
68
CHAPTER SEVEN:
71
Intervention: NSAs were Responsible for Promoting Rights and Entitlements in Favour of
Working Children and their Families
71
Inspiration:
NSA Introduces Positive Changes for Working Children
Poor Families are the Focus of Paikgacha NSA
73
74
76
CHAPTER EIGHT:
77
Intervention: Working together with Government Institutions to Protect, Include and Provide
Opportunities for Working Children
77
Inspiration:
Kurigram Post Office Gives Rights to Working Children
Lalbagh Police Station Protects Vulnerable Children
Bangladesh Shishu Academy Welcomes Working Children
79
80
82
84
CHAPTER NINE:
87
Intervention: Media and Working Children Creating Awareness About the Issues Relating to Working
Children and Their Lives. How the Media Ensures Positive Changes for Children and Their Families
87
Inspiration:
Media Lobbies for Working Children
Press Club Highlights the Issues of Working Children
A Child Sensitive Journalist
89
90
92
94
Abbreviations
BSA
Bangladesh Shisu Academy
CMC
Centre Management Committee
CoC
Code of Conduct
CoD
Community Declaration
CPC
Child Protection Committee
EC
Executive Committees
KDA
Khulna Development Authority
LBs
Local Bodies
LRC
Learning and Recreation Centre
NGO Non-governmental Organisation

NSA
Non-State Actors
TfD
Theatre for Development
VGF
Vulnerable Group Feeding
P R E FAC E
This book shares some of the inspiring stories we learned from the
field during the implementation of the Save the Children project
titled Strengthening Non-State Actors (NSA) and Local Bodies
(LBs) to reduce child poverty and promote rights of vulnerable
children supported by the European Commission. This project
was implemented from April 2010 to July 2013 and was a part of
the Working Children Programme of the Child Protection Sector
of Save the Children in Bangladesh.
The purpose of the project is captured in the title. During its
implementation we worked closely with organisations and people
who are actually the local change makers. The projects intervention
focused on strategic geographic locations where we felt that these
working children were particularly vulnerable: Lalbagh of Dhaka
city; Kurigram Municipality; Khulna City Corporation and two
remote Upazilas of Khulna district. Lalbagh, Dhaka city was
chosen as it is known as the hub of small factories where children
work in the operation of these industries. In Kurigram, once called
the monga (famine) district, we worked with children who fell
victim to yearly river erosions and floods. After devastating
cyclones like Aila, Khulna City became the home of newly
migrated families and their children. Working alongside Khulna
City Corporation we were able to make significant positive
contributions to their lives. Finally, we chose the most vulnerable
children and their families in two remote Upazilas of Khulna where
families struggle everyday for survival.
vi
This project taught us an important lesson. When a local community is actively providing
support, change is possible. Local government institutions in each project area offered
their helping hand to the families of these children. The philanthropic nature of local
people helped working children to receive support with the continuation of their studies
or with getting back to school. The referral services to government institutions were
extremely beneficial. They ensured access to health care; introduced savings programmes
and enabled students to gain access to educational courses offered by government
institutes such as Shishu (Children) Academy. Employers Associations and the
relationship between them taught us the importance of this forum, and provided us with
examples of good practice for ensuring improved conditions for working children.
We thank the local government leaders (Mayors, Ward Councilors and Union Parishad
(UP) Chairmen and Members) and government representatives (Police Stations, Shishu
Academy and Post Office officials) who played a special role in engaging these children in
their programmes and activities. We thank the local people, civil society organisations,
child rights networks and the local media who always stood in favour of the children.
I thank all of our partner organisations and their staff members for their dedicated
services. Special thanks also go to the staff of the Learning and Recreation Centres (LRCs)
who made their centres lively and happy places for working children. I thank the Working
Children Programme Team for the successful implementation of the project and for
documenting the best and most inspiring stories for wider sharing. Finally, I would like to
thank the European Union for this collaboration.
Michael McGrath
Country Director
Savt the Children in Bangladesh
vii
viii
CHILD WORKERS IN BANGLADESH
Bangladesh is an agriculture based reverine country with an estimated population of 150 million. More than 60 million
are under the age of 18 years. Over the past two decades, Bangladesh has made significant progress in the education
and health sector. More than 90% of girls enrolled in primary school, infant mortality reduced by half, live births and
child mortality fell by two-thirds and maternal mortality reduced by three-quarters. Though the economy is growing
well, still 41% of its people live on less than one US dollar per day. Due to the high incidence of household poverty
and cultural acceptance, about 7.4 million children are economically active of them, 3.2 million are considered as
child labourers, of which 1.3 million are estimated to be engaged in hazardous work.
Rapid urbanization attracts rural people to migrate to the cities. Often, once they have migrated, many are restricted to
low cost accommodation in slum areas. Due to the failings in existing Safety Net programmes, migrants and local poor
families face several difficulties. Existing Government, NGO and private services are unable to reach the most
vulnerable people, particularly children. This may be due to their traditional mind set, limited resources and
unavailability of quality services. As a result, most poor families have no option but to send their children to work,
mostly in the informal sector, in order to earn additional income.
Working children in Bangladesh are denied access to basic services such as education, health, nutrition and other child
development services, which subsequently lead to inter-generational transfer of poverty. Further, prevalence of high
levels of violence, abuse and exploitation of children severely affects childrens freedom and limits their capacity to
access basic services as well as to be grown as active and productive citizen. Socio-cultural norms, values and customs
create an environment, where children from poor families (mostly working in the informal sector for their livelihood)
live in greater poverty than the majority of poor and marginalized mainstream society. Social acceptance and
normalization of child labour, even in extreme conditions with their health, education opportunities and general
wellbeing compromised.
1
1
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Project Title: Strengthening Non-State Actors and Local Bodies to reduce child poverty and promote rights of
vulnerable children
Overall Objective: To build the capacities of Non-State Actors (NSA) and Local Bodies (LBs) to achieve
sustainable reduction in child poverty, child labour and child rights violations, thereby achieving Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs: MDG 1- Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; MDG 2- Achieve universal primary
education; MDG 4- Reduce child mortality).
Project Period: Project commenced in April 2010 and ended in July 2013.
Associate Bodies of the EC-NSA Project are: Civil society networks for advocacy: Joint Child Labour
Working Group (JCLWG), Smart Business Initiatives; Employers associations, Media partners (including The Daily
Star, Prothom Alo).
Community level structures and NSAs: Community Based organisations (CBOs), womens groups, children groups,
youth forums, School Management Committees, Child Protection Committees (CPCs).
Local Bodies: Union Parishads, Municipalities, City Corporations.
National Level Policy Advocacy through: Ministry of Social Welfare, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs,
Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development & Cooperatives (LGRD), Ministry of Labour and Employment,
Ministry of Law, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Home Affairs.
Direct and Indirect Beneficiaries of the Project:
72,500 working girls and boys under the age of 18 from poor households;
363,000 women, men, girls and boys from approximately 73,000 extreme poor households, including
200,000 children who are currently not engaged in labour but who are vulnerable to entering the child
workforce;
8,700 households from ethnic and religious minority groups.
Four Pillars of the Project:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Building local institutional capacities (particularly of NSAs and local bodies)

Improving local governance and accountability
Rights based poverty alleviation
The effectiveness of the action (pillars one to three)
Implementing Partners:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Prodipon (Dhaka Lalbagh, Khulna Paikgacha and Koira)

Bangladesh Development Service Centre (BDSC), (Kurigram Pourashava)
Manob Seba O Samajik Unnanyan Sangstha (MSSUS), (Khulna City Corporation)
Rupantar (innovative communication organization with locations across Bangladesh)
THE SITUATION OF WORKING CHILDREN

IN PROJECT LOCATIONS
Urban Dhaka,
Southern Coastal
area, Northern
char (river island)
area
Towns: Dhaka,
Khulna, Kurigram.
Dhaka reflects the
challenges of urban
child poverty
Kurigram represents
the extreme level of
rural poverty
Khulna represent
poverty and
vulnerability to
disasters and food
insecurity
Bangladesh Map
Dhaka- Lalbag and

Chalkbazar Thana- City
Corporation 59-67 Ward
42,477 HHs- 24,496
Children (0-18 yrs old)
Khulna- Sadar and
Sonadnaga Thana- City
corporation (16, 17, 20,
22, 30, 31 ward- 14,511
HHs- 11,520 Children;
Koyra and Paikgacha
Thana- 6 UPs-10,071
HHs- 9,700 Children
Kurigram- Sadar Thana
and Holokhana UP- 5,979
HHs- 26,784 Children
LALBAGH
Lalbagh is a densely populated area in the capital city of Dhaka. Every day people migrate here from
different parts of the country to find jobs to earn a living. Many have experienced natural disasters
which have left them homeless and vulnerable in all respects. Thousands of these migrants find work
in small room based factories to live and survive. Employers at this level are keen to hire young children
since their labour costs are low and they can work for long hours without access to rights and
entitlements.
Informal base line survey (limited to the project locations) shows that:
60% of the children are engaged in the production of imitation jewellery
10% of the children are engaged in recycling plastic materials
8% of the children are engaged in aluminium factories
5% of the children are engaged in shoe making
3% of the children are engaged as helpers or assistants for adult workers
2% of the children are engaged as carpenters helpers
2% of the children are engaged in cap making
10% of the children are engaged in a variety of work (collecting, sorting and selling garbage)
KURIGRAM
Kurigram was labelled as a famine stricken/famine prone district for several decades. Every year people from the
northern districts also suffer from natural calamities like river erosion and floods. Victims are often left homeless,
unemployed and are forced to migrate to big cities for their livelihood. Many children are sent to urban areas to
find work in domestic households or other unskilled and unsafe jobs.
Informal base line survey (limited to project area) shows that out of 441 children in Kurigram:
388 children (mostly boys) work as day labourers
296 children work for bidi (hand rolled cigarettes)
189 children work as helpers at bus stands, shops and hotels
29 children work in rickshaw garages, tailor shops, jewellery making and carpentry
KHULNA CITY CORPORATION

Khulna City Corporation is one of the major urban areas of
southern Bangladesh. The base line survey on the situation
of working children in NSA project locations shows that out
of 1,317 working children in Khulna only 97 attend school.
Many of the working children in Khulna city as young as
five, are engaged in all types of occupations and often
exposed to drugs and criminal activities. Boys often work in
the fish trade, in saw mills, garages, tea stalls and hotels. Girls
mostly work as domestic helpers, water carriers or as
embroidery workers. These children spend 6 to 14 hours a
day at work and some are engaged in hazardous labour
including working with saw mills, electricity, lead and
welding machines, in motor workshops or pulling rickshaws.
PAIKGACHA AND KOIRA UPAZILA

Paikgacha and Koira Upazilas are remote,
disaster prone regions of Khulna district.
The project location informal survey
shows that 1,803 children are working, of
whom 1,384 are boys and 419 are girls.
Children below 10 years occupy 15% of
the total group. In Paikgacha 92% of
children surveyed have either never been
to school or have had to drop out at an
early age. In Koira this figure is 83%.
Inspiring Life Stories

CHAPTER- I
N
O
I
T
N
s
e
E
r
t
V
n
R
e
E
C
T
ion
IN
t
a
e
r
c
e
R
d
n
a
g
n
i
n
Lear
riends
n, Play a
ce to Lear
A Pla
nd Make F
isure and
y educational, le
jo
en
n
ca
n
re
working child
ip of daily life
e places where
from the hardsh
ar
e
it
s)
C
sp
R
re
(L
e
id
es
tr
ov
during
ecreation Cen
eir lives. LRCs pr
spend time here
y
th
an
in
M
ng
e.
si
is
ag
r
Learning and R
m
ei
been
children of th
cilities that have
time with other
ng
di
recreational fa
en
er cuts.
sp
y
jo
ren to en
idle due to pow
ild
n
ai
ch
r
m
emselves.
re
fo
s
ce
ie
an
or
and a ch
hen fact
ildren can be th
w
ch
or
re
y
he
da
w
ng
ly
ki
for
iend
long wor
d have facilities
and are child fr
k
an
ee
ls
breaks in their
w
ia
a
er
at
ys
m
da
t
x
5pm, si
cess to
, art and craf
en from 9am
king children ac
ical instruments
or
us
w
m
r
s,
fe
le
of
zz
The LRCs are op
so
pu
al
,
toys
ildrens rights
books. LRCs
equipped with
guidance on ch
reading comic
as
l
or
el
ns
w
The centres are
oo
as
rt
ng
ca
ni
g
ai
tr
r reading,
fun watchin
developing thei
n basic teacher
e
ve
ar
gi
e
ey
ar
th
s
children to have
as
or
er
at
cilit
life issues bett
ion as centre fa
deal with daily
to
le
informal educat
ab
w
no
e
st a few
ts. Children ar
participating ju
and entitlemen
by
n
ve
E
.
on
s.
ti
ill
xa
ons
ting sk
me rest and rela
s, to find soluti
so
m
le
y
jo
writing and coun
ob
en
pr
to
ei
th
ce
s
n a chan
ence and
nds, to discus
working childre
em build confid
ity to make frie
th
un
rt
lp
he
po
s
op
C
The LRCs give
e
R
L
th
ve
selves. The
ons.
ese children ha
can express them
ve project locati
fi
ey
in
th
hours a week th
g
in
ch
hi
on
w
ti
nc
in
e in forums
LRCs were fu
and to participat
ture. In total 31
fu
er
ht
ig
br
a
r
pes fo
support their ho
9
10
INSPIRATION

del
Sumitra Becomes a Role Mo
Miraj Wins Awards for Painting

Mehdi Helped to Fulfil His Singing Dreams
11
N
O
I
T
RA
I
P
S
N

Rabbani left school when he was just eight years old. He started collecting shrimp fry
from the nearby river Sibsha as his fathers wages as an agricultural worker were not
enough. With sharp eyes and bare hands Rabbani would spend around 12 hours a day
standing in flowing river water hoping to catch enough tiny shrimps to earn as much
money as possible. For children, this work is difficult and monotonous and some time
dangerous to particularly in the rainy and windy days. It also meant that Rabbanis body
was soaked for hours in cold water which often made him unwell too. There was often no
time apart from standing in the water, eating or taking rest. He had no time to play or
have fun. Gradually Rabbani became an irritable boy earning himself a bad name in the
community. Rabbani recalled his life before joining his local LRC,I felt bad...I was an
angry boy and no-one liked me.
LRC staff visited his parents and spoke about the harmful conditions of
shrimp fry collecting. They suggested that Rabbani attend the LRC on days
that the weather was unfavourable for the river work and his parents agreed.
Project officers spoke about the facilities at the centre and after a while
Rabbani started coming to the LRC around June 2010. In the early days he
did not feel comfortable with other children but he soon made friends after
playing carom and pin board games together.
12
I now love spending

time at the LRC with
other children. If I had
not come I would never
have met them said
Rabbani.
Rabbanis father and

brother where helped to
access money to set up a
fish selling business. They
were also assisted to
receive free rice each
month through the
governments Vulnerable
Group
Development
(VGD) card.
As the family were helped to find new sources of income Rabbani was able to spend
more time at the LRC learning to read, write and count. Eventually, due to the
support of the centre and his own hard work Rabbani was readmitted to Primary
School in 2011. He recently received the highest marks in his final examinations
scoring more than 90% in most of his Class IV subjects. He was happy to receive
Tk. 100 (around $1) for his good results from one of the centres management team.
Rabbani also attended the Theatre for Development (TfD) training given by the
projects partner NGO Rupantar. Here he learned music and acting skills. He was
able to perform in school and community programmes which brought him
admiration and recognition. Now Rabbani is better known in the community as a
good student and a wonderful performer.
My family
doesold,
notBoro Bari village. Uttor Betkashi union, Koira upazila, Khulna district
Sumitra Munda,
14 years
have to think about
starving anymore. I am
now able to save some
money for my childrens
education said
Rabbanis father
Every day I used to receive complaints about Rabbanis

bad behaviour before I sent him to the LRC. Now I feel
proud when people in the community praise him. Thanks
to the centre Apa (Child Facilitator), who helped him to
be a new person,
stated Rabbanis father happily.
Rabbani, Deluti union, Khulna
13
ON
I
T
A
SPIR
N
O
I
T
PIRA
INS
IN
Sumitra Becomes a
Role Model
Sumitra is a young girl from the
Munda community, an ethnic
minority group in Boro Bari
village. There are about 430
Munda families living in her area.
Sumitras mother passed away
two years ago and she now lives
with the rest of her family. When
project workers met Sumitra in
2010 her father had problems
with alcohol. His small and
irregular
income
as
an
agricultural worker was spent for
his own purpose. Without her
mothers income Sumitra had to
leave school and work in local
paddy fields or shrimp farms to
support her siblings.
14
My life was really miserable. My father spent a lot of money on alcohol and
would scream at me and my family when he was drunk. We did not have enough
to eat so I had to spend hours in the water of the shrimp farms to earn Tk. 3050
(around $0.5) a day. Some days there was no work so we had to go hungry,
Sumitra said as she recalled those days.
At the age of fourteen she joined the LRC. The project arranged skills development training for girls in the
community. There she learned how to make handicrafts like Pati (floor mat made of bamboo or leafs). With
her new skills she can earn as much as Tk. 3,000 ($40) selling these items at local Melas (fairs). She no longer
has to spend hours doing labour intensive work. Project staff and the Centre Management Committee (CMC)
backed Sumitras readmission to school by paying her SSC-examination fees. She is now studying at a local
Degree College.
The CMC gave special support to Sumitra as she is from a marginal community. They continue to pay regular
visits to her home to speak with her father and ensure that she progresses with her studies. With a lot of
support from project staff her father promised to stop drinking alcohol and he is gradually trying to do so.
As a child from an indigenous group Sumitra used to feel nervous mixing with the children from other
communities Munda children have always been excluded as people look down at us she said.
Since joining the LRC life for Sumitra is much better; I am lucky to receive the support of the project
members who helped me to be confident and to continue my education. At the centre there was
no discrimination and I now have good friends there, Sumitra shared with us.
Because of the positive role of the LRC staff, attitudes towards the Munda community have begun to change.
More Munda children are at school and many now take part in social activities. Sumitra has become a happy
young girl. She is now a good role model among her community and is appreciated and respected by all.
Sumitra, Koira upazila, Khulna District
15
Miraj Wins
Awards
for
Painting
He could draw and paint flowers and

cartoons at a very early age, even
before going to school,
said Mirajs mother. But Miraj had to stop

sketching as his parents wanted him to
concentrate on earning money rather than
wasting time on painting. Moreover, it was
hard to manage money for papers and colours
which are luxury items to a poor family boy.
Like many working children in Dhaka city Miraj joined an imitation jewellery factory to
earn money to live. This work involves hours of intense concentration in tiny room based
factories. Many of these often lack ventilation and some have no windows at all. Owners
of these makeshift businesses like to employ young children whose small fingers are ideal
for work with beads and hooks. Miraj worked eight hours a day, six days a week for Tk. 240
(around $3). Sometimes he would also work in a garbage recycling shop when the family
needed extra money. Working such long hours I thought it was the end of my
painting life, Miraj said.
16
Miraj, Lalbagh, Dhaka
N
O
I
T
RA
I
P
S
N
The NSA project staff visited Mirajs family

during the household survey in May 2010.
The Centre Apa (Facilitator) explained how parents
could send their children to school for the chance of a
better life. Therefore, we allowed Miraj to join the LRC
and school alongside his work, recounted Mirajs mother.
Miraj became a regular participant at his local LRC. He found the centre an interesting place to meet other
children and to refresh his learning to go to school again.
Happily, Miraj also had the chance to enjoy his painting once more. At the centre he discovered new painting
techniques and participated in several competitions at the Shishu Academy. He has now won more than ten
national awards.
Thinking about my previous life is frightening. I could have never reached where I am standing
today without the support of LRC, Miraj said.
Now Miraj teaches painting to younger children at the LRC. He feels rewarded when his students at LRC at times
paint better than he does. Recently, Miraj found a job at a television and refrigerator repair shop where he works
for six hours a day on a respectable wage with a lunch break and snacks. Life is much brighter now for young
Miraj.
Miraj, Lalbagh, Dhaka
17
N
O
I
T
A
SPIR
IN
Mehdi Helped to Fulfil
His Singing Dreams
Mehdi is a musical boy and for the past three years he has entertained
his friends with his talents at his local LRC. But, his life has not always
been like music. Mehdi started work as a helper in his uncles rickshaw
repair shop when his father died. He used to work from 9am to 7pm
almost without breaks to cover the cost of his food and other
necessities. He had no time for school.
Once his local LRC was established Mehdi was allowed to spend time
there once in a week and during festival holidays. This opportunity
arose when project staff successfully negotiated with his uncle.
Recognising his talent project officials enrolled him on a music course
at the Childrens Academy, Kurigram. Mehdi soon became aware of
different styles of music such as patriotic, traditional and folk and he
was able to play some music instruments.
LRC bhai convinced my uncle to send me to the music
classes. I was serious about learning music as I wanted to
become a singer,
Mehdi explained.
Now he performs on many special occasions like Pohela Boishak (Bengal New Year), 21st February (International
Mother Language Day), and the Independence Day Programme. People love to hear him sing as his words are sung
from the heart. Over the past few years, Mehdi has received awards in district and divisional competitions..
I used to think that the son of a poor family should only work. Education and music were only for
children of rich families. Mehdi has proved me wrong. I would like to thank the project officers for
their continuous support, Mehdis uncle Masum expressed .
18
Mehdi was also able to return to

school after project workers
convinced his uncle of the importance of an education. He is now a
student in High School and is able to
g,
ery carin
are vand
visit the LRC three times a week. andLRC
hai Apa
B
Bhai
ofare very
Apa
take care
to
LRCenjoys
w
o
With his free time Mehdi
h
s
ht u they haveftaught
r how to
ugcaring,
ll ouus
ich hatos ta
whmusic
care o a
e
k
nothing more than teaching
ta
ld
u
take
care
of
others.
We
hdi should
e sho
rs, Me
e
others. W
st
si
d
younger children at the centre.
n
rs a care of all our young
thetake
young bro
added
brothers and sisters, Mehdi added
Mehdi, Kurigram Municipality
19
N
O
I
T
A
R
INSPI
Rina is from Harijon Palli (lower caste society). This minority community once earned a living cleaning excreta
buckets from households, public toilets and maintaining the drainage system. As they were considered
untouchables they had no access to shops or other public places. Their lives were miserable. Over the years
their situation has improved although nowadays, besides working as town sweepers, they sometimes undertake
odd jobs.
Rinas family borrowed Tk. 20,000 (around $260) for dowry (a tradition where money is paid to the groom or
his family as a condition of the marriage) when her sister got married. The family struggled to repay the loan.
Rina began to work as a domestic helper to help the family. For eight hours a day young Rina would clean
dishes, wash clothes, wipe floors and help in the kitchen for Tk. 300 (under $4) per month. She hardly had time
for rest or holidays.
Life was hard without any hope for change. I was also unhappy due to my fathers violence when
he was drunk, Rina recalls.
20
Two of her good friends told her about the newly established LRC. After visiting the centre and speaking to the
Facilitators she became interested to join. Here she could read books, play with other children and learn how to play
music - all free of charge. The CMC president and Facilitators spoke to Rinas parents and they were convinced to let
Rina attend LRC and school after work. One of the local social workers and known freedom fighters took the
responsibility to bear Rinas educational expenses. He has been financially supporting her education with a monthly
stipend of Tk. 200 (around $2.5) ever since.
In addition, Rina learned stitching and embroider work following a referral for training at Bureau Bangladesh, a local
NGO. She can now study and earn from home by making dresses and stitching bed sheets at her convenience. She still
makes Tk. 100 (less than $1.5) per month washing clothes for a nearby hostel but makes an extra Tk. 500 (around $6.5)
per month through her stitching work at home.
One of the community members helped Rinas mother get a construction site job. Project workers also helped her
father give up alcohol which freed the family from violence. He now pulls vans on a regular basis alongside her brother.
With the additional income three quarters of the family loan has already been paid back.
Rina is now studying in High School though she still visits the LRC when she has time; I enjoy doing puzzles
and playing games with friends at the centre. I am now studying in a good school and one day
Id like to graduate as a nurse. I think I can do it as my days of uncertainty are fading away,
said Rina her eyes shining with pride and hope during her interview.
Rina, Harijon Palli
21
22
Inspiring Life
Stories2
CHAPTER-
N
O
I
T
N
E
INTERV For um
s
n
e
r
Children
d
g
l
n
i
i
k
r
h
o
C
of W
e
the Voic
for LRC
a platfor m
is
m
u
r
o
eleven
rens F
h centre
c
a
e
The Child
n
I
.
d
be hear
leadership
o possess
children to
h
w
d
te
c
g about
re sele
le speakin
b
ta
children a
r
fo
is
m
nd feel co
Within th
.
e
c
fa
n
qualities a
e
dr
xecutive
rking chil
eir own e
th
t
issues wo
c
le
e
the
children
ncerns of
o
c
e
th
e
for um the
k
ta
agement
se job is to
ntre Man
e
C
body who
e
th
sues
ildren to
ere are is
th
e
r
e
centre ch
h
W
e (CMC).
Committe
tion.
te
o
ild pr c
h
c
to
g
n
relati
dren
orking chil
w
f
o
s
e
c
n
experie
d about
sharing the
and update
d
d
n
e
a
m
g
r
in
fo
fy
in
and
ti
t
etter work
ey are kep
role in iden
b
t
th
t
n
s
u
n
ta
o
r
o
b
o
ti
a
p
c
e
ra
y an im
guidanc
ese inte
For ums pla
also given
Through th
re
s.
a
w
y
e
ro
r
h
Childrens
o
T
s
d
ir new
y receive.
eir joys an
evelop the
wages the
.
d
e
re
to
th
tu
including th
fu
d
lp
e
n
ir
a
h
e
at work
and their
lan for th
who need
e children
they can p
r children
their rights
o
th
io
s
n
r
s
ju
fo
ie
g
it
s
n
n
e
ri
portu
gramm
lp mento
learning op
areness pro
ers also he
w
a
b
m
g
e
in
m
is
n
m
a
port.
ur
rens For u
staff in org
nancial sup
od behavio
fi
o
C
g
d
R
n
e
L
a
g
e
The Child
ra
ts
u
n
th
t
dr ugs.
hey enco
entitleme
y also assis
the use of
alth, social
children. T
e
d
g
h
n
skills. The
s
a
in
a
e
rk
c
h
o
c
n
w
u
issues s
sical viole
for other
families on
oking, phy
le models
m
s
ro
id
d
o
o
v
o
a
g
dren to
mbers are
orking chil
w
e
For um me
ity.
ir
p
s
in
e commun
rs and
th
e
th
in
o
d
s
te
rd
ia
a
tow
d apprec
ognised an
This is rec
rm for
A Platfo
23
24
INSPIRATION
Pre-Primary School Built for Working Children

Children Learn New Skills at Theatre for Development
25
N
O
I
T
RA
I
P
S
N
Pre-Prim
n
e
r
d
il
h
C
g
in
k
r
o
W
r
ar y School Built fo
d Komol are
l, Shorif, Rana an
Jibon, Mongol, Bimo
Kurigram
ildrens Forum in
members of a Ch
for
k of educational facilities
lac
e
th
to
e
Du
.
lity
pa
Munici
rum set out
neighbourhood this Fo
young children in their
fit the
ool which would bene
sch
ary
rim
e-p
pr
a
ild
to bu
th others
ey shared their ideas wi
whole community. Th
the
p with the support of
ou
gr
r
tee
lun
vo
a
d
ate
and cre
er they
mmittee (CMC). Togeth
Central Management Co
for the new school.
found suitable premises
Kurigram
e-primary school in
In 2013 a new pr
rigram
ed. The Mayor of Ku
Municipality was open
doing
of
pport. We thought
attended to give his su
ildren in
for the younger ch
ile
wh
rth
wo
g
in
th
some
and one of
d Jibon, a working child
the community, sai
y to
ool has the capacit
sch
e
Th
rs.
to
tia
ini
the
are from
ren by rotation. Many
accommodate fifty child
and these
ver been to school
families who have ne
d time to
with extra attention an
children are provided
ng for
found the school a blessi
s
ha
ity
un
mm
co
e
Th
.
learn
materials
rents even collect study
their children. Some pa
labour
to offer their time and
ard
rw
fo
me
co
ve
ha
and
support.
school
helped to establish the
o
wh
ds
en
fri
e
th
of
y
Man
longer
senior students who no
now collect books from
or also
time the Ward Council
to
e
tim
om
Fr
.
em
th
need
rners and
courage the young lea
visits the school to en
se funds.
organisers or to help rai
26
I was really surprised to hear about this
Robbani, Deluti union, Khulna
pre-primary school ran by young working children.

I believe this new school will encourage parents to
send their children to school rather than work, said
the Ward Councilor.
In 2012 seventeen children who attended the new school went on to study at the local BRAC primary school to
complete their upper classes. Thirty three went on to study at a local government primary school. Gradually, the
initial volunteer group learned how to manage student attendance and the school accounts. The Childrens Forum
fulfilled their dream of a nicer world with better opportunities for their younger brothers and sisters.
27
N
O
I
T
RA
I
P
kills
S
S
w
IN
e
N
rn
a
e
nt
L
e
n
m
e
p
r
o
d
l
l
i
e
a. In
v
e
Ch
in Khuln
D
m
u
r
r
o
F
o
f
s
d
n
e
r
t
) organise
e Childre
a
D
th
f
f
e
(T
o
t
s
h
n
r
e
e
at T nd Polash are memb heatre for Developm of expressing their
t ways
nd
abina a
se on T
iners cour
Par ven, S
ma skills a
er differen
a
,
ra
v
r
n
o
T
d
a
c
f
d
is
m
o
e
d
u
g
n
S
r
in
to
a
Sumi,
write
bers le
ortunity
the Train
chance to
or um mem
attended
d the opp
a
F
e
y
h
e
e
th
n
th
th
e
d
r
g
a
0
d
h
1
in
il
ere
20
ere the ch
e day train
They also
learners w
H
iv
.
f
e
ts
r.
e
h
n
ta
e
T
th
n
.
a
m
g
e
p
u
f
in
by Ru
daily li
kills.
ons. Dur
sical instr
en their s
ey face in
th
using mu
and emoti
th
g
s
s
n
ts
e
g
e
h
u
n
g
tr
s
o
s
u
s
is
r
o
e
th
imple
nces the
to furth
mes.
ompose s
r courses
l program
with audie
e
a
h
te
s
m
a
r
e
r
o
ic
f
f
how to c
e
n
r
u
in
r
g part
ve been
and comm ity to attend regula
been takin
y they ha
e
m
v
n
dialogues
e
a
d
h
tu
a
r
n
c
o
e
ay
A
r
p
u
ild
the op
Theatre D
ulna Shis
orking ch
ld
h
r
w
o
K
e
s
W
t
e
then given
g
A
th
.
in
training
tion dur
e of the
unity too
nding the
n apprecia
me as on
wn comm
o
m
o
w
a
r
ir
ls
g
e
il
o
k
r
th
s
p
Since atte
en to
in
and their
the childr
perfor m
nded their
s
e
n
d
y
o
tt
e
o
e
a
it
rt
th
v
a
a
in
C
n
ln
a
u
e
h
ear
een
Ofte
ladesh Kh
romising,
hted to h
g
ies of M
p
g
r
n
li
a
e
to
ts
B
s
d
n
e
le
e
io
r
th
d
ta
e
a
telling
g their
dren w
ctor of R
. The chil
12. Findin
l
0
o
2
ll
The Dire
o
.
in
1
K
y
1
e
a
0
2
in
eatre D
g
rogramm
World Th
of workin
a Radio p
s
ln
e
u
v
h
li
K
e
r
guests on
th
pula
about
team
12.
on the po
yers. The
, a drama
August 20
lo
s
p
d
m
n
m
ea
perfor m
a
e
r
e
y
D
n
n
r
a
u
n in
casts in Ju
heart of m al and World Visio
y titled O
r
e
to
th
s
d
a
e
the broad
h
d
w touc
rnation
erfor me
dren at
stage sho
rking chil
rency Inte
is
ren also p
a
o
h
d
p
w
T
il
s
r
.
h
n
s
c
a
o
f
r
n
e
t
o
T
h
n
ple
y
ati
T
local peo
nvironme
rganised b
e
their aspir
e
o
l
k
d
o
a
ir
n
o
a
m
a
h
F
c
n
s
n
to
e
r
o
e
child
are held
nfor mati
roving th
d to the I
or mances
bout imp
f
e
a
r
it
e
y
v
p
la
in
e
p
s
s
a
a
e
w
d in
013. Th
y also acte
January 2
in
eral.
l
o
o
2012. The
h
c
nt s
en in gen
r
e
d
m
il
n
h
r
c
e
v
g
o
in
a local g
of work
situation
e
th
f
o
e
awar
28
t and painting due

bjects like music, ar
su
r
fe
of
to
le
ab
t
to nurture
ngladesh are no
ve no opportunity
ha
n
re
ild
Many schools in Ba
ch
n
fte
O
cilities and the
or skilled teachers.
need no special fa
rs
to a lack of facilities
to
ac
e
th
D
Tf
iately enjoy
ever, through
eir skills and immed
th
e
us
n
these talents. How
ca
s
er
rm
press themselves
t cost free. The perfo
lised children can ex
na
preparation is almos
gi
ar
m
t
os
m
e
th
e courage to
audience. Even
nfidence and th
co
lf
se
the reaction of the
ild
bu
n
re
helped the child
and have fun; TfD
.
ed
re Facilitator shar
speak, the Cent
chele
kaajer meye or
us
d
lle
ca
le
op
Pe
even
out us earlier.
the community,
No one cared ab
e are valued in
w
s
er
m
or
rum
rf
Fo
pe
boy). Now as
child and Childrens
g
in
rk
wo
(working girl or
a
g,
in
m
glea
ers, said Parven
by our employ
l LRC.
member of her loca
29
ON
I
T
A
IR
P
S
N
I
The working children of Lalbagh, Dhaka mainly work in small industries producing household items such
as plastic containers, buckets, imitation ornaments, food and glass wear. These are dangerous working
environments for young children who work amidst toxic fumes or in high temperatures without safety
measures. The Child Forum of Lalbagh, Dhaka responded to a number of incidents on delayed payment of
wages and non-payment of medical bills following workplace injuries. With the support of the Centre
Management
Committee (CMC) and Child Protection Committee (CPC) this CF has been able to resolve
problems with the employers. They also monitor the implementation of better working conditions for children
under the Codes of Conduct (CoCs) signed by Employers Associations.
Child worker Jony lost his wrist whilst working in a Lalbagh ball-bearing making factory in December 2012.
Following his accident Jony was asked to leave his job and his employer refused to pay his wages and the
medical expenses related to that. A member of the Lalbagh CF with the help of the CMC and CPC
approached the employer to recover the money owed to Jony. After much persuasion the employer agreed to
pay and he promised to take young Jony back at the factory once he has recovered. The Child Forum
members came to the CMC and CPC committees to ask for support to help Jony. It was their effort
against misconduct, we were just with them, said Mr. Abu Taleb, the President of the CMC Committee.
Omit, aged 10, had a road accident and broke his leg on the way from his workplace to his local Learning and
Recreation Center in Lalbagh. His mother sold her mobile phone to pay for the cost of treatment but the
money she received from the employer was not enough. Members of the CF called an emergency meeting with
the CPC and CMC and raised Tk. 10,000 ($129) within 24 hours to provide assistance to Omit. Omit gradually
recovered and went back to normal life. I can face similar problems, but now I know that I shall be
supported by our Child Forum Members. I feel much safer now, Sakib another working child of
Lalbagh expressed.
30
e Forum also
embers of th
M
of
rs
be
em
educate
so helped m
sitive steps to
o
p
k
o
to
r
This CF has al
be
em
ghts
munity. In Dec
about their ri
m
le
co
p
eo
er
p
id
l
w
ca
e
lo
th
albagh
f the
fire in a local L
titlements o
en
d
an
e
2012 there was
th
e
ed
ren. They hav
of the CF help
ild
rs
ch
be
g
em
in
M
.
rk
o
um
w
sl
who
formation
ularly children,
tly provided in
n
ce
re
,
victims, partic
er
at
w
ble
clean drinking
unity on availa
of
m
m
ed
co
ne
e
in
th
e
er
to
.
w
utensils
Birth
basic cooking
such as
es
ic
rv
se
clothing and
an
m
hu
ent
F organized a
and Governm
C
n
is
io
th
at
,
tr
er
is
th
eg
ur
R
e
F
t th
grammes.
awareness abou
nization pro
u
m
Im
chain to raise
al
xu
se
CF
of eve teasing/
, in 2013 this
lt
su
re
a
s
A
negative impact
volved
y 5,600
rls. They also in
approximatel
ed
p
el
h
n
harassment to gi
io
at
tr
irth
ers and adminis
obtain their B
to
n
re
ild
ch
d
community lead
on an
h area.
fter some acti
cates in Lalbag
fi
ti
er
C
for support. A
of
pe
rams, this ty
awareness prog
the
w decreased in
no
s
ha
t
en
m
harass
able in
w feel comfort
area and girls no
ol;
and at scho
y
it
un
m
m
co
the
set
y up
s were reall
.local girl
help of
with the
and now
ped this
e have stop
everyone, w
dont
in the area
ls
ir
G
.
ce
n
a
nuis
ithi, a CF
anymore, B
feel afraid
member said.
31
32

CHAPTER- 3
N
O
I
T
N
E
V
R
E
T
s
IN
e
e
t
it
m
m
o
C
t
n
e
m
e
g
a
n
a
M
e
r
t
n
ation
Ce
nity Particip
r Commu
A Platform fo
Recreation
The Learning and
primarily
Centres (LRCs) are
Management
managed by Centre
made up of
Committees (CMCs)
bers. In each
local community mem
n committee
LRC up to eleve
from the
members are chosen
members are
community. The CMC
rkers as well
comprised of social wo
teachers and
as physicians, lawyers,
s ensuring a
child rights activist
gender balance.
rking children. The
erg y for the benefit of wo
en
d
an
e
tim
ir
the
e
giv
ff as well
The CMC volunteers
They sit regularly with sta
C.
LR
h
eac
of
ing
on
cti
erall fun
C activities. They also
Committee guides the ov
and update them on LR
m
or
inf
to
s
ilie
fam
ir
also builds
as the children and the
rking children. The CMC
wo
the
of
lf
ha
be
on
eak
s to sp
d encouraging active
meet with local employer
cussing new initiatives an
dis
by
ity
un
mm
co
the
th
strong relationships wi
s.
participation at the centre
providers to make
alongside other ser vice
ng
rki
wo
for
e
ibl
ns
po
ildren and
The CMC is also res
ilable to disadvantaged ch
ava
fits
ne
be
l
cia
so
d
an
vices
various issues related
education, health care ser
awareness programmes on
ity
un
mm
co
ise
an
org
o
their families. They als
ildren.
to the lives of working ch
33
34
INSPIRATION
CMC Sets Example of Good Management

CMC Cooperates with Local
Government and NGOs
CMC Helps Children Return to School

munity
CMC Brings Positive Changes to Local Com
35
N
O
I
T
RA
I
ent
m
e
P
g
a
S
n
a
M
N
d
I
f Goo
o
le
p
m
a
x
E
CMC Sets
g children
ered workin
ff
o
o
ls
a
t
local
, bu
mittee of his
recreation
m
d
n
co
a
t
g
en
in
em
rn
a
the manag
lace for le
s for joining
n
rovided a p
o
p
as
ly
re
n
e
o
th
t
t
o
u
tn
in
r. Taleb abo
The projec
ing for people
er
lves, said M
te
n
se
lu
m
o
e
v
th
h
it
r
a place fo
roject had
n involved w
t work the p
ad always bee
an
h
rt
ty
o
p
ci
a
im
ak
e
h
D
f th
ct and
LRC.
om Lalbagh,
ame aware o
f the proje
fr
o
ec
b
an
se
e
o
h
sm
r
rp
es
n
u
te
p
si
af
f
a bu
in 2010
MC; ...the
ecretary o
Mr. Abu Taleb
with the LRC
s elected S
ber of the C
a
ed
em
w
lv
o
m
e
v
h
a
in
r
e
as
te
a
am
itially joined
b recalls. L
need. He bec
munity. He in
, Mr. Tale
C
m
M
co
C
is
e
th
th
r
in
planned fo
g access to
ed me to jo
ghts includin
ri
on convinc
ic
ti
a
as
b
ic
f
d
o
e
d
ved
ducing
staff
e often depri
factories pro
ar
al
o
h
rm
w
fo
s
in
ie
il
.
in
that CMC
row lanes
m poor fam
set a good
along nar
h are fro
is CMC
bu Taleb, th
RC in Lalbag
n often work
L
A
re
e
d
r.
other
il
th
M
f
ch
f
o
e
o
n
es
re
ip
h
Child
ter. T
sues as well as
adersh
el
is
le
sh
al
e
n
d
th
io
an
at
,
er
d
er
re
n
p
lth ca
make plans
to discuss o
old items. U
education, hea
activities and
lastic househ
once a month
r
p
t
ie
ee
rl
d
m
ea
an
s
f
y
o
er
d
b
n
ss
a well
re
ornaments, ca
Volunteer mem
w the prog
to develop
t.
ie
y
v
en
it
re
n
em
u
so
ag
rt
al
o
an
p
ey
e
p
RC m
centre. Th
est to mak
n us the o
example of L
ildren of the
d try our b
C has give
ch
n
e
M
a
C
th
n
e
ct
re
fe
d
th
il
af
h
it
working ch
concerns that
lvement w
roblems of
p
; Our invo
e
es
v
th
ti
ia
d
it
n
in
ta
for new
for the LRC
now unders
. 5,000 ($64)
entre. We
k
c
T
g
ed
in
.
n
at
er
o
n
b
o
ti
d
c
em
uja and
fun
materials and
id, Durga P
shared one m
,
E
al
n
r
e
o
e
k
ti
li
si
ca
a
s
u
e
n
s
ed
io
e
as
of
es a
their liv
g special occ
effort mak
hundred sets
n
ri
a
is
u
th
d
ed
g
d
d
n
n
o
a
ra
fo
ar
n
alone
to provide
ontributio
, said the
Mr. Abu Taleb
making a c
e also able
cean soon
er
o
is
w
n
C
a
ey
M
e
h
C
k
T
a
e
.
m
th
2012
s that will
olved with
activities in
little drop
eryone inv
e
v
k
E
li
.
is
ay
rt
D
o
n. Their eff
Independence
our childre
to
centre.
e
c
n
re
fe
ildren of the
big dif
ch
g
in
rk
o
w
e of the
mother of on
36
N
O
I
T
A
IR
h
t
i
s
w
s
O
e
INSP
t
G
a
r
N
of the
e
y
r
a
d
t
p
e
r
n
c
ers
al Se
Coo rnment a
memb
Gener
C
C
e
M
h
t
C
M
C
e
leven
ker is
v
o
al wor a team of e
i
c
G
o
s
l
of
ment
nown
Loca
well k . He is part
govern eir
l
d
a
n
c
a
o
l
ith
pzila
r mer
nd th
a fa
te w
en a
ira U
okon,
oopera LRC childr Mr. Afzal
in Ko
.
c
h
e
r
C
K
t
o
R
n
t
e
n
L
i
an
able
the c
ossa
d by
d the
fzal H ommittee at ctioning of
me. Le ent financial
s been have enable
a
m
h
a
r
e
g
Mr. A
n
e
C
u
mitt
C
e urg
links
nt pro
ooth f
ement
is Com ders. These
ernme reated for th ther, the CM
v
h
t
o
Manag le for the sm
g
s
l
n
as c
ctio
rovi
. Fur
rls at
e loca
sib
conne
r vice p es under th 129) which w ing medicine ing of the gi ey
respon
e
s
l
s
a
r
z
f
e
h
c
A
buy
nd $
train
mon
ser vi
and ot
o Mr.
arned
0 (arou es as well as evelopment
social
e
0
s
0
Due t nts; NGOs
y
,
u
d
0
afe
o
i
a
1
r
e
e
d
e alr
m va
p for s
kills
ion f
f Tk.
me
depart o benefit fro early fund o or examinat nes for the s nce and hav of a water ta at this
i
st
ay
ening
school ewing mach ined confide installation
g
familie ittee set up
n
i
d
happ
u
s
e
a
l
e
l
h
g
c
r
t
a
n
m
a
i
u
d
d
s
e
n
an
pat
ing
his com the children buy two ma
partici r a wall clock ny good th
o
h
f
o
t
o
w
s
a
s
s
o
l
n
f
need
al, m
onatio ty young gir o arranged
r. Afz
ed d
s
M
l
n
g
a
e
f
n
a
e
o
w
r
e
t
r
t
a
it
he
ship
Comm
ntre. T
eader
the ce ailoring. The the great l
ht
e to
staff.
throug
er. Du the project
t
a
w
g
e
drinkin ared one of
out th
b
a
h
s
s
,
t
e
LRC
d for
lls par
also te and the nee
C
M
at
This C education
ure th
s
n
e
y
of
heir
. The
value
of t
enting
r
d
a
e
p
m
nce
infor
good
ttenda
a
e
r
a
d
n
s
ss a
s also
parent
progre e project ha
s
n
e
h
Mr.
childr
LRC. T arding for
e
h
t
t
s;
a
levels
lly rew elings with u
a
n
o
s
r
pe
is fe
oing
been
ared h
h
am d
s
o
I
h
t
w
a
the
Afzal
d th
for
o
o
e
g
l
i
a
el
rthwh
only
I fe
g wo
it is
ct
thin
if
proje
some
even
e
y
h
t
i
T
n
u
.
rs to
ution
comm
embe
ntrib
m
o
c
s
t
l
smal
all i
elped
h
e.
s
ha
erenc
f
f
i
d
a
make
37
N
O
I
T
RA
I
ol
P
o
h
c
S
S
o
t
n
r
IN
u
n Ret
e
r
d
il
h
C
s
lp
e
CMC H
ildren back to
ing its centre ch
d
school. We ha
nd back to
mitted to send
to the LRC a
m
n
co
re
is
d
n
il
w
ch
to
d
n
m
se
urigra
employers to
The CMC at K
town.
parents and
to
ts
si
C in Kurigram
vi
M
l
C
ra
a
ve
of
se
nt
ke
de
a
si
m
adership
re
to
tive image and le
an Ali Bepari, P
si
sh
po
aw
s
R
hi
r.
to
M
e
id
du
sa
ee
other
school,
of the Committ
vernment and
nt
go
de
l
si
ca
re
lo
P
e
ith
th
w
selected as
nnections
cretary for
Mr. Bepari was
of his good co
so the General Se
se
al
au
is
e
ec
B
H
.
n.
ity
w
to
un
bers
m
mm
ople of Kurigra
other CMC mem
role in the co
pe
d
e
an
th
i
ar
by
ep
n
B
ow
r.
is well kn
ntary work. M
to send their
organisations he
ised for his volu
could not afford
gn
ho
co
w
re
es
is
ili
d
m
fa
an
shaw
dy
belonged to poor
sinesses like rick
a local trade bo
n
bu
re
l
al
ild
sm
ch
re
in
nt
ng
ce
ki
that the
ren were wor
were concerned
y of these child
an
m
d
ea
st
In
.
ol
children to scho
g workshops.
in
ld
ie
repair and w
38
and
ials, like floor mats
er
at
m
ial
nt
se
es
ht
wait for
members boug
n. They did not even
e LRC, Committee
re
th
ild
of
ch
t
e
en
th
m
r
fo
ish
bl
es
ta
iti
other
activ
Soon after the es
gs and glasses and
d quickly organise
ju
ul
er
co
at
re
w
nt
s,
at
ce
e
m
th
te
ju
so
s
an earlier
ed text books,
educational material
have dropped out at
is CMC collected us
th
ho
w
as
e
n
re
riv
ar
ild
ch
to
g
s
lie
lin
king
nrol
the project supp
s to send these wor
face difficulties re-e
er
s
ol
oy
pl
ho
sc
em
y,
d
all
an
su
s
U
nt
.
es
convincing pare
ion. Employers
essentials themselv
sed the problem by
ildrens educat
es
ch
dr
r
ad
ei
th
ee
t
itt
m
ou
m
ab
ty, Mr.
keen
stage. This Co
their productivi
e made parents
s
W
se
;
ol
ea
cr
ho
in
sc
d
e
m
an
C
ure ti
children to the LR
with some leis
ildren
at providing ch
th
d
ne
ar
le
so
al
ecial
enrolled through sp
ts
en
.
ud
st
ed
t
ar
ge
sh
li
to
A
Rawsan
school authorities
ventually, they
eetings with local
were struggling. E
m
l
ho
w
ra
n
ve
re
se
ild
ld
ch
he
r
o
fo
twelve
ort
This CMC als
mittee also helped
extra learning supp
m
d
Co
te
e
tia
Th
go
.
ne
12
o
20
als
d
hool in 2011 an
time to go to
consideration. They
be readmitted in sc
children now had
to
re
n
nt
re
ce
e
ild
th
ch
at
ne
th
-o
nt
ty
supported fif
l shops. This mea
to find work in loca
s
nt
re
pa
ed
oy
pl
g an income.
unem
ection in 2011.
e burden of earnin
th
d
ha
er
ining on child prot
ng
lo
tra
d
no
an
10
20
in
g
school and
in
fective
in
tion issues. Their ef
day management tra
ec
o
ot
tw
pr
a
ild
ed
ch
nd
d
te
an
at
s
rs
ational issues,
labour, child right
The CMC membe
utinely discuss oper
rstanding of child
ro
de
rs
un
be
r
tte
em
be
m
a
re
ve
he
They now ha
regular meetings w
tained by holding
ain
m
ing made.
is
t
en
em
ag
man
e progress that is be
th
r
ito
on
m
d
an
s
ilitie
distribute responsib
39
N
O
I
T
to
RA
s
I
e
g
n
P
a
h
S
C
e
IN
ositiv
P
s
g
in
r
B
C
CM
ity A large number of people living in Kurigram
n
u
m
m
o
C
l
a
Loc
rers and children are
icipality are day labou
Mun
rolls
production of bidi
widely used in the
Ali
arettes). Ms. Tajneen
(locally produced cig
ily
y, was born into a fam
Bony, nicknamed Bon
ring
. Popular for her ca
from this Municipality
local
been teaching in a
personality she has
by
ars. She was contacted
School for several ye
I
As
n the CMC in 2010;

NSA project staff to joi
was
I
ren every day
deal with child
ent
the LRC Managem
interested to join
oached
project staff appr
Committee when
me, she recalls.
n that were organised

ment and child protectio
ge
na
ma
C
CM
on
es
mm
making the
ining progra
ers are now committed to
mb
me
Ms. Bony attended the tra
low
fel
r
he
d
an
es a leading role in
the CMC, Ms. Bony
by the project. Through
tection issues. She also tak
pro
ild
ch
of
are
aw
ls,
gir
to social
ally young
ts where they are entitled
ren
pa
ir
community people, especi
the
d
an
ren
ild
ch
providers to working
connecting social ser vice
disadvantaged
benefits.
encourage them to send
to
s
yer
plo
em
d
an
ts
ny also visits paren
s a time when we
In her free time Ms. Bo
development. There wa
cal
ysi
ph
d
an
l
nta
me
ir
ged due to the
enhance the
r thinking has chan
Ou
l.
children to the LRC to
oo
sch
an
th
er
C child.
ildren to work rath
preferred sending ch
said the mother of an LR
,
ee
itt
mm
Co
t
en
em
ntral Manag
time. The
counselling of the Ce
pay children their wages on
to
t
tan
uc
rel
re
we
o
wh
s
they
challenging employer
ren to receive the money
ild
ch
ty
en
tw
st
Ms. Bony took the lead in
lea
at
d
lpe
he
s, especially the
with those employers and
Committee member
CMC arranged meetings
my
of
ion
at
er
op
ssed.
knowledge the co
d Councilor, she expre
were owed. I must ac
C President and War
CM
e
th
r),
the
he
ng
ot
ari
(br
le sh
Tota Bhai
ff members are comfortab
sta
ct
relentless support of
oje
Pr
C.
LR
al
loc
r
LRC and
integrated within he
e helps us to run the
Sh
n.
rso
Ms. Bony herself is very
pe
g
rin
ca
d
a is a very friendly an
member.
centre issues with her; Ap
d a grateful project staff
s professionally, share
al with issue
advises us how to de
40
CHAPTER- 4
N
O
I
T
s
N
e
E
e
t
V
t
i
R
m
E
m
o
INT
C
n
o
i
t
c
e
Children
t
f
o
o
g
r
in
e
P
b
Well
Child
otect the
r
rs who P
(CPC) is
n Committee
io
ct
te
ro
P
ild
of the
The Ch
rtant bodies
o
p
im
st
o
m
sponsible
one of the
e teams are re
es
h
T
.
ct
je
ro
ted to
NSA p
ion issues rela
ct
te
ro
p
h
it
w
ren in the
for dealing
ty of the child
ri
cu
se
d
an
of
ty
the safe
is made up
C
P
C
h
ac
E
community.
l teachers,
uding schoo
cl
in
s
al
n
io
elfare
profess
nel, social w
n
so
er
p
e
ic
police serv
orkers and
ns, social w
ia
ic
ys
h
p
,
the
ls
officia
Members of
s.
ve
ti
ta
n
se
re
media rep
ched to these
s are also atta
m
ru
o
F
s
n
re
Child
bodies.
ve
representati
t
n
e
m
rn
e
v
ective
e local go
in their resp
aded by th
e
n
h
re
is
d
il
d
h
n
c
a
e
ee
th
ple
safe and fr
eleven peo
security of
re
a
d
to
t
n
a
e
a
th
in
ty
n
n
fe
f
re
ess the sa
for child
loitation
made up o
role is to ass
vironments
nd the exp
a
n
The CPC is
in
e
a
se
g
u
m
n
b
ti
ir
a
a
e
,
h
re
e
le for c
violenc
ation. T
in each loc
preventing
o responsib
ls
s
a
rd
a
re
a
w
y
to
e
s
h
s. T
work.
also work
portant
communitie
hazardous
ction as im
Committee
d
n
n
is
fu
a
h
l
T
d
.
n
fu
e
a
w
c
n
la
n
o
ther
un
from viole
sely with o
r exploitati
o
fficking or
lo
a
c
se
tr
s
u
h
rk
b
g
o
a
u
w
d
ro
th
s of chil
ittee also
tees. In
of children
The Comm
nt Commit
n for victim
e
o
s.
ti
n
m
c
e
ig
a
g
a
a
s
p
n
te
a
m
a
a
s for
l M
dc
coordin
d initiative
and Schoo
itiatives an
se
in
a
rk
y
b
o
The CPC
c
y
a
c
tw
it
e
o
n
v
u
N
r local ad
d Rights
ing comm
strengthen
platfor ms fo itutions like the Chil
in
s
te
u
ib
inst
tees contr
grass roots
n Commit
o
ti
c
te
ro
P
e
tection.
addition, th
tion and pro
o
m
ro
p
ts
child righ
embe
Project M
41
42
INSPIRATION

CPC Ensures Better Working Conditions
ild
Ward Councilor puts Ch
43
Protection First
N
O
I
T
RA
I
P
S
N

Mr. Samor Kanti Halder is the UP Chairman of Deluti Union of Paikgacha Upazila in Khulna District. He
was made President of the Child Protection Committee (CPC) since the inception of the project in this
location. His position in local government meant that he was an ideal candidate for the presidency as he is
officially responsible for ensuring the wellbeing of the people in his locality. Childrens issues became his
priority issue after joining the Committee.
44
Under Mr. Halders guidance, the CPC found a suitable site to set up a local Learning and Recreation Centre. This
was not an easy task as much of the land is low lying and used for shrimp cultivation. After completing a survey
they set up an LRC in the most deprived neighbourhood of Deluti Union.
Early marriage is a severe problem in this remote area where literacy is poor and few girls are able to go to school.
Parents tend to marry off their daughters when they are still young to limit the economic burden on them as well
as minimising the dowry amount (a traditional practice where a lump sum payment is given to the bridegroom or
his family upon marriage). This CPC launched an awareness campaign about the problems associated with early
marriage such as the increased risk of health problems for young mothers and their babies. In addition they also
regularly discuss other social issues linked to the lives of the children such as the prevention and protection of girls
from violence and abuse.
Due to their dedication and hard work this Committee helped to prevent more than thirty child marriages in the
community over the past two years. Mr. Halder talked with the local police station about the issue of
early marriage. His initiative substantially reduced the number of incidences in the area, said a local
villager.
Like other areas of Bangladesh, harassment towards girls is common in Paikgacha Upazila. Girls are often afraid to
go out due to the pestering and inappropriate behaviour of many local boys and men. In 2011 Mr. Halder
motivated the community to stand up against eve teasing, harassment and other forms of violence towards women
and children. Under his guidance this Committee motivated parents to deter their sons from this type of conduct.
As Union Chairman, Mr. Halder warned them that legal action could be taken. The community as a whole is
now aware and active in preventing abuse against children, particularly girls. Eve teasing is sexual
harassment to girls and needs to be stopped. With the help of this Committee this behaviour is
gradually disappearing, said a teacher of the local girls school.
45
N
O
I
T
RA
I
P
S
s
n
io
it
IN
d
n
o
C
g
in
k
r
ter Wo
t
e
B
s
e
r
u
s
n
E
C
CP
to the
depots that belong
h
fis
d
an
s
op
sh
in
e wages they
Khulna City work
otun Bazar area of
re not always paid th
N
we
e
n
th
re
in
ild
g
ch
in
g
liv
in
n
rk
re
time,
e wo
Many child
cal income. At the
n of the project thes
iti
tio
cr
en
as
rv
te
ge
in
wa
e
th
all
re
sm
fo
pendent on this
s and were
KDA market. Be
ffered who were de
g long working hour
su
rin
es
du
ili
m
ks
fa
ea
n
br
fte
ke
O
.
ta
had earned
o not allowed to
ing children were als
rk
wo
e
es
th
of
y
an
m
to challenge
istakes.
ployers and decided
em
e
m
so
g
on
punished for tiny m
am
e
actic
ty he is
family in Khulna Ci
aware of this bad pr
l
s
tia
wa
en
hi
flu
oc
in
ag
K
an
am
om
th the CPC
Mr. Khurshid Al
e CPC forum. Fr
ed to be associated wi
children through th
re
g
in
ag
rk
am
wo
Al
r.
of
n
M
.
tio
ns
ta
io
local
ut
the exploi
ught dialogue with
philanthropic contrib
so
d
an
p,
hi
rk
rs
wo
de
l
lea
cia
s
so
s
hi
hi
successfully
well known for
mmittee, under
children. The CPC
Immediately the Co
g
in
n.
rk
io
at
wo
rm
of
fo
s
ue
its
r
iss
LRC
re
soon afte
also ensured that no
to address the welfa
ve
ns
ha
tio
ey
cia
th
t
so
en
As
em
eir
lv
th
employers and
11. Since their invo
lp increase the
was also able to he
seven children in 20
C
to
e
CP
du
is
s
th
ge
gly
wa
in
e
th
az
obtained
eir employers. Am
in 2011.
s been beaten by th
ha
ea
ar
e
th
$1) to Tk. 200 ($2.5)
in
er
ild
ov
ch
st
(ju
0
10
.
Tk
g workers from
weekly salary of youn
46
h extra
e month wit
at
rn
te
al
y
er
t of
s are held ev
non-paymen
g
r
n
o
ti
ee
ce
n
m
le
e
io
te
v
e reports of
ion Commit
favour of
here there ar
tive action in
Child Protect
w
ec
s
ll
se
co
ca
r
t
fo
en
rm
help
ed in urg
a good platfo
nly able to
is
o
C
re
P
meetings call
e
C
w
e
e
th
the past w
has been
lam feels that
munity; In
Committee
wages. Mr. A
m
n
co
o
e
ti
c
th
te
in
ro
out
dP
children
Mr. Alam ab
id
ow the Chil
sa
N
,
s.
the working
ly
si
e
a
v
b
ti
l
a
ployees
dren collec
an individu
ployers and em
to help chil
people on
m
em
ru
th
o
fo
b
a
h
it
e
of
w
we hav
e the attitudes
ling amicably
g
ea
d
an
y
established
ch
B
.
ly
ct
al
je
u
workers
able to grad
ent in the pro
t their young
PC has been
his involvem
ea
C
tr
is
to
th
n
ea
io
ar
Bazar
e motivat
in the Notun
now have th
ey
h
T
.
rs
ye
lo
p
working
many local em
contact with
in
p
ee
k
y
rl
the
la
better.
ce to those in
embers, regu
en
m
d
fi
C
n
P
C
co
d
er
an
th
ildren.
ong with o
ives strength
r working ch
Mr. Alam, al
is presence g
fo
H
el
s.
d
o
ie
il
m
m
le
fa
their
positive ro
children and
advocate and
an
w
o
n
is
e
h
community as
47
ON
I
T
A
IR
P
S
N
I
Ward Councilor puts Child Protection First
Ward Councilor Mr. Haji Altaf Hossain is a member of the local
government who has been consecutively elected for three terms in past
seventeen years. He is a popular and influential person in the Lalbagh
area of Dhaka city and his family has a long history of philanthropic
activities. Mr. Hossain is involved in more than twenty businesses and
social organisations such as the committees of schools, vocational
training centres, religious institutions as well as sports and community
clubs. Because of his respected position in the community, it was no
surprise that he would lead the CPC of his local LRC in Lalbagh soon
after the inception of the project.
Despite his busy schedule Mr. Hossain tries to attend regular meetings,
workshops and training in relation to child protection issues. My
involvement with the CPC has enhanced my understanding and
knowledge about working children and child protection, said
Mr. Hossain during his interview. Over time he has became an

experienced advocate for disadvantaged and working children. He
frequently speaks with Employers Associations to lobby for the right
and timely payment of childrens wages and other entitlements. Mr.
Hossain has also motivated employers to provide weekly holidays and
leisure time of an hour during each working day. In some cases
employers have been willing to provide assistance with the payment of
medical treatment. So far this CPC has helped more than fifty children
receive their full salaries and money for medical fees. Led by Mr.
Hossain this Committee also takes the time to sit with parents,
employers, teachers, religious leaders and others to discuss the
importance of child protection from hazardous forms of labour and
violence. Together they have collectively mitigated the suffering of
many working children in the community.
48
k Mr.
regular CPC wor
e
th
to
n
tio
di
In ad
ange in
made a visible ch
Hossain has also
here
local residents. T
e
th
of
et
ds
in
the m
Hrishi
y one thousand
are approximatel
area
ps) people in this
ou
gr
st
ca
er
w
(lo
Para
by trade
itionally cobblers
of Lalbagh. Trad
ted by
p is often neglec
ou
gr
ity
or
in
m
this
children
unity. Hrishi Para
the wider comm
past
uded and in the
cl
ex
ly
al
ci
so
so
are al
ols and
cess to local scho
only a few had ac
ildren
. Most of these ch
es
ac
pl
ic
bl
pu
r
othe
ories as
her footwear fact
work in small leat
k. Drug
d enough to wor
ol
e
ar
ey
th
as
soon
gnised
and the CPC reco
abuse is rampant
issue.
child protection
us
rio
se
a
as
this
r. Hossain
r vulnerability, M
Considering thei
the
members, visited
PC
C
e
th
ith
w
g
alon
ons with
They had discussi
Hrishi Para area.
ate the
out how to integr
ab
le
op
pe
l
ca
lo
the
2012, a
e mainstream. In
children with th
loped
ration was deve
la
ec
D
ity
un
m
Com
hi Para
of sending Hris
with the aim
oting
school. By prom
to
ck
ba
n
re
child
ce, these
school attendan
education and
from
more protected
w
no
e
ar
n
re
child
Hossain
forms of abuse.
dr ugs and other
the area
e has turned
H
t.
ea
gr
is
i
Bha
unity, said
riendly comm
into a child-f
ith this
man involved w
ss
ne
si
bu
l
ca
lo
a
LRC.
49
50

CHAPTER-5
N
O
I
T
N
E
NTERV
ns
Code o
o
i
t
a
i
c
o
s
s
A
s
loyer
p
m
E
r
o
f
t
c
f Condu
How Employers are Working Together to

Improve Child Working Conditions
One of the core interventions of the project is to initiate
dialogues and motivate Employers Associations (EAs) to act in
favour of the children they employ. Employers are encouraged to
set a standard of good practice in their work environments
providing basic rights and entitlements for their working children
including::
minimum wages
health care support
holidays and leisure time
improved overall working conditions (including

access to first aid facilities, ventilated working
environments and safe drinking water).
To facilitate the process some standard guidelines have been

created by the NSA project in the form of a Code of Conduct
(CoC). This CoC is intended for employers who engage children
under the age of eighteen in work. The guidelines are particularly
important for employers in the informal sector where
responsibilities and obligations are not imposed by legal
frameworks.
By agreeing to and signing the CoC employers promise to
provide fairer working conditions for the children who work for
them.
51
52
INSPIRATION
Young Businessman Takes Up Code of Conduct

Employers Association Receives Recognition
Plastic Association Protects Wellbeing of Children
53
N
O
I
T
SPIRA
IN
Ta
n
a
m
s
es
n
i
s
u
B
g
Youn
d
o
C
p
kes U
uc
d
n
o
C
of
ame the
sman bec
s
e
in
s
u
b
ners
ng
hop Ow
ipu, a you
S
D
t
e
m
k
r
la
a
A
l
DA M
e KDA
Mr. Nur u
ry of K
hops in th
s
ta
l
e
r
a
r
c
e
e
v
S
e
s
l
city.
ns
Genera
f Khulna
6. He ow
o
0
a
0
e
2
r
a
in
r
a
n
o
tun Baz
and fifty
Associati
in the No
hundred
d
e
iv
te
f
a
u
f
it
o
s
market
omprised
iation is c
c
o
s
s
A
n
e
Th
s are ofte
ie
.
il
s
r
m
e
a
f
n
w
r
shop o
of poo
found
children
0 sur vey
1
r,
0
a
2
z
a
e
B
n
Ju
ifty
In Notun
red and f
h trade. A
d
is
n
f
u
h
e
e
th
e
in
ne, thr
Some
employed
d shops.
market alo
n
a
A
ts
D
o
K
p
e
e
d
ho
that in th
g in fish
children w
in
k
g
r
n
o
u
w
o
y
e
r
r
we
t five or
h risks fo
children
ge of jus
bring hig
a
k
e
r
o
th
w
m
f
fe fro
for ms o
working li
ir
e
th
t
r
ta
ipu was
can s
lna, Mr. D
u
h
K
in
at in
six.
mmenced
ealised th
o
r
c
e
t
c
H
je
.
s
o
r
g
p
proving
n meetin
When the
role in im
orientatio
t
l
n
a
a
c
ic
lo
if
n
to
time
sig
invited
. At that
n
uld play a
e
r
o
c
d
il
e
h
h
c
n
f young
d worker
his positio
each chil
nditions o
o
c
id
a
g
p
in
t
k
e
r
istent
the wo
DA Mark
ugh pers
K
o
r
e
h
th
T
t
.
a
k
u
s
e
employer
$1) a we
n Mr. Dip
o
r
ti
e
ia
v
c
o
o
s
t
s
s
(ju
imum
loyers A
Tk. 100
set a min
the Emp
h
to
it
d
w
e
g
n
a
ild
negotiatio
rkers man
r every ch
o
o
f
w
k
t
e
c
e
je
w
o
pr
young
2.5) per
and NSA
(around $
d for the
r
0
a
0
w
2
r
.
o
k
f
T
jor leap
wage of
was a ma
is
h
T
r.
worke
orkers.
market w
54
, the
also common. Mr. Dipu
s
wa
ce
pla
et
ark
m
e
ers at th
rted cases. He
l abuse of child work
e in over twenty repo
ye
plo
em
The verbal and physica
ild
ch
d
an
r
to hold
ed between employe
C and CPC continue
CM
e
Th
n.
re
ild
CPC and CMC mediat
ch
or harm
nts of childrens
ployers not to punish
in response to incide
ns
tio
ac
issued warnings to em
d
an
s
ion
lut
discuss problems, so
monthly meetings to
ployers.
ren and one
rights violations by em
liday for working child
ho
ly
ek
we
a
d
ce
du
ro
yers,
sociation have also int
discussion with emplo
h
ug
ro
th
ted
ula
Mr. Dipu and his As
rm
fo
was
y a copy of the
A Code of Conduct
d a Directive to displa
ue
iss
er
hour of rest per day.
lat
C
CP
e
Th
strictly.
C and CPC members.
here to the guidelines
ad
rs
ye
plo
em
all
children, parents, CM
ow
e
tion. N
eir work place. H
longing to the Associa
ing children at th
rk
wo
CoC in every shop be
e
th
g
tin
re
or
child n
pu has been supp
de of Conduct. If
Co
e
th
es
ot
Mr. Nurul Alam Di
om
pr
d solves the
n regularly and
an
and childre
lls for a meeting
meets employers
oyer, Mr. Dipu ca
pl
em
r
ei
th
t
ns
ai
nt ag
make any complai
Facilitator said.
the child, a Centre
of
ur
vo
fa
in
m
le
prob
55
uct
d
n
o
of C
e
d
o
N
Up C
s
O
e
I
k
ion
t
i
n
RAT essman Ta
g
I
o
c
P
e
R
S
ives
e
IN g Busin
c
e
R
n
o
i
t
Younloyer s Associa
Emp
igram town.
r business in Kur
fo
en
op
e
ar
at
th
Many
ops
undefined hours.
,
ork in tailoring sh
w
ng
n
lo
r
re
fo
ild
s
ch
le
d
nd
re
o hund
ng. Most
rrying cloth bu
Approximately tw
part of their traini
d in heavy work ca
as
ge
y
ga
pa
en
t
e
ou
ar
ith
re
w
he
k
ed
wor
hey only
Children employ
velopment. T
imes expected to
et
de
m
r
so
ei
e
th
ar
d
or
an
n
breaks
ue about the
t these childre
work without rest
ncerned abou
, recalls Mr. Haq
s were not co
as they could
er
and as long
of the employ
work as much
em
th
g
oject.
in
ak
m
n of the NSA pr
tio
thought of
uc
od
tr
in
e
th
re
as elected as
befo
thirty years. He w
s
er
an
th
oy
e
pl
or
em
m
r
of
fo
t
came
sion
conduc
10. Mr. Haque be
a tailor by profes
20
en
in
be
s
n
ha
tio
ia
ue
oc
aq
ss
zlul H
y. He started
op Owners A
Mr. Sheikh Md. Fa
n and State polic
ram Tailoring Sh
re
ig
ild
ur
ch
K
ng
of
ki
y
or
ar
w
et
for
troduce
the General Secr
and entitlements
rsuade them to in
s
pe
ht
to
rig
n
of
tio
ia
ce
oc
an
ss
import
Employers A
children they
interested in the
members of the
ers as well as the
d
oy
an
pl
rs
em
ne
r
ow
fo
l
ia
op
sh
ok one
nefic
talking to fellow
this would be be
ctor children. It to
se
at
g
th
d
rin
pe
ilo
ta
ho
e
as
th
w
r
ct. It
as developed fo
a Code of Condu
a suitable CoC w
s
on
si
us
sc
di
l
ra
employ. After seve
elines.
ensus on all guid
year to reach cons
56
bers
visit mem g
w
o
n
s
mittee
workin
The Com
onitor the
m
to
n
o
ti
ensure
rota
en. They
r
shops on
d
il
h
c
e
the
s of th
ours and
h
condition
g
in
k
r
lation, a
s on wo
ities, venti
fair limit
il
c
fa
t
e
il
hey
of to
g water. T
in
k
availability
in
r
d
fe
vided as
ox and sa
ks are pro
first-aid b
a
e
r
b
e
n
ti
ges.
e rou
nt of wa
e
m
y
also ensur
a
p
r
to see;
e regula
ible for all
well as th
is
v
w
o
n
CoC
ent is
n of the
io
t
Improvem
c
u
d
o
hat if
the intr
rned t
Due to
od
ave lea
o
rs h
o rest, f
employe
n time t
e
iv
ey
g
t
e
r
s
a
itie h
children
sic facil
a
b
o
o
t
m re
ess
become
and acc
d
n
a
The
healthy
Haque.
r.
remain
M
id
ers
ive, sa
e Employ
product
ittee of th
s
Comm
meeting
Executive
quarterly
s
e
is
n
a
g
r
s any
n o
to discus
Associatio
n
e
r
d
il
h
ing c
uct.
for work
e of Cond
d
o
C
e
th
f
t Child
breaches o
d the Bes
e
iv
e
c
e
r
rd
n
ciatio
tion awa
ia
c
o
s
This Asso
s
A
s
tion of
Employer
dministra
Friendly
a
t
ic
tr
is
ard
the D
. This aw
3
1
given by
0
2
y
r
s of my
in Janua
r member
Kurigram
fo
n
o
ti
a
ir
positive
insp
created
is a great
s
a
h
s
n. It
Employer
t
h
ig
Associatio
e
g
rking
on amon
. The wo
m
competiti
a
r
ig
r
u
nue to
ns in K
will conti
Associatio
n
e
r
d
il
h
c
Fazlul
s of
eikh Md.
h
condition
S
r.
M
, stated
improve
oudly.
Haque pr
57
uct
d
n
o
of C
e
d
o
N
Up C
s
O
e
I
k
en
T
r
d
Ta
l
A
i
h
n
R
C
a
I
f
o
INSP g Businessm otects Wellbeinagregular sight. In the
Youn ssociation Pr ren working in factoriebs oisut the conditions undeinr
Plastic A
rform
ered a
ildren pe
h
not both
c
e
g
r
e
in
w
k
r
e
came
wo
past w
then be
d. Seeing
e
I
k
r
d
o
n
w
a
y
e
bout the
ssed me
which th
aji Selim a
s impre
H
w
r.
o
h
M
s
d
l
re
n.
a
cultura
lives, sh
ing childre
rk
ir
o
e
w
h
t
r
fo
in
e
d
me a voic
of
intereste
ed to beco
mmunity
Child
s co
decid
e busines
ere
reasons he
th
in
n
Dhaka wh
-know
ld
ll
O
e
w
f
o
is
st
part
Mr. Selim
ce low-co
opulated
u
p
d
ro
ly
p
e
s
n
s
e
d
industrie
f the
Lalbagh, a
ecretary o
om-based
S
ro
g
in
f
is
o
n
a
o
thousands
is the Org
h over tw
it
e
w
H
n
s.
o
ti
m
e
it
hildren
s Associa
household
c Busines
business. C
ti
s
s
c
la
ti
P
s
la
p
h
s
the
e
Banglade
aged in th
s they are
a
g
n
r
e
to
c
rs
e
e
s
b
is
em
until
rt of th
hundred m
achine r un
integral pa
m
n
a
d
n
y
a
ll
a
n
n
a
io
M
are tradit
st labour.
of low-co
e
rc
u
o
s
main
stries.
ractical
these indu
rove the p
p
in
t
im
h
ig
to
n
s
id
e
ing
g
m
The work
make chan
r.
to
to
c
d
e
e
s
id
c
is
e
d
r, toilets
dren in h
Mr. Selim
nking wate
ns of chil
ri
io
d
it
s
d
a
n
o
h
c
c
u
ject
s
working
re the pro
ic facilities
s
fo
a
e
b
b
d
e
n
c
a
la
t
p
n
not in
with any
environme
ere often
ble to deal
w
a
il
a
n
v
o
a
ti
s
la
e
ti
x
This
bo
and ven
ing hours.
no first-aid
rk
o
re
w
e
w
e
th
re
e
industry
es during
started. Th
e plastic
s or illness
th
e
ri
f
ju
o
in
s
,
n
ts
o
ards,
acciden
other haz
some secti
d
in
n
a
s
a
s
e
m
rn
naked fla
was conce
xposed to
e
re
a
n
childre
ries.
rns and inju
u
b
g
in
d
lu
inc
58
h local people
C, Mr. Selim held meetings wit
CP
the
of
n
tio
ma
for
the
After
their employers.
I talk with children and
and working children; Now
ren and how they
d wellbeing of the child
an
h
alt
he
the
t
ou
ab
I ask
anges..., Mr. Selim
rkplace. I can see the ch
are getting on at the wo
sociation was
Employers of the Plastic As
for
uct
nd
Co
of
de
Co
A
.
shared
ies to see the
r visits are made to factor
developed and now regula
CPC also hold
e facilities. The CMC and
lac
rkp
wo
the
in
ent
vem
impro
their roles and
yers to remind them of
meetings with the emplo
ng children.
responsibilities towards worki
tival bonuses and
ployers also introduced fes
Recently, in this locality, em
has become a
. Further, an annual picnic
urs
ho
ng
rki
wo
ra
ext
for
nt
payme
o work for them.
mbers and the children wh
must for the Association me
ng children. We are
sensitive towards worki
re
mo
me
co
be
ve
ha
er.
We
r, said a Committee memb
trying our best to make
their lives bette
59
60

CHAPTER-6
N
O
I
T
N
E
ages
V
k
n
i
R
L
E
e
T
c
i
v
IN
s and Ser
die
Local Bo
Helping Working Children and Poor Families

Access Government Benefits and Social Support
Bangladesh is divided into seven administrative divisions:
Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, Rangpur
and Sylhet. Divisions are subdivided into districts (zilas)
and districts are sub-divided into sub-districts (upazilas).
Sub-districts are further divided into unions in rural
areas and wards in metropolitan areas. At the divisional
and district level, government officials are in charge of
administration, whilst elected officials run sub-district and
union level governance.
One of the major roles of the NSA project was to
establish linkages between local government services and
the poor and disadvantaged. Some well known benefits
include the Vulnerable Group Development (VGD)
programme (monthly food rations for poor households)
and birth registration entitlements. This project ensures
that representatives of local bodies work with the NSA
project to assist working children and their families to
access benefits they are entitled to. Government support
often relieves the financial burden on working children
who need to work to earn a living.
61
62
INSPIRATION
Children Protected from Hazardous Work

Ward Councilor Becomes Guardian of Working Children
Community Leader is a Voice for Working Children
63
N
O
I
T
SPIRA
Children Protected from

Hazardous Work
IN
Members of poor families pull rickshaws to earn a daily wage in the deprived region of Kurigram Municipality. In
fact the majority of rickshaw pullers here are children in a town where employment opportunities are few. Due to
high levels of poverty many boys often start the job before their legs can reach the rickshaw foot pedals. This work
is physically draining for young children who routinely work in hot and humid conditions. Road accidents frequently
occur and these young workers face hospitalization and the possibility of permanent injuries or scars.
The Mayor of Kurigram Municipality, Mr. Nurul Islam Nuru, became involved with the NSA project after attending
seminars and cultural programmes organised by the Centre Management Committees. Working alongside the Bar
Association, Press Club and civil society a policy was introduced to prevent children under the age of eighteen from
pulling rickshaws or owning a trade licence. The aim was to prevent young boys from doing this hazardous form of
work. It was not easy to convince local people of the benefits of the rule change as many were financially less well
off. Eventually, through good will, young boys were motivated to give up this dangerous work. Instead these children
are being assisted to attend school or if necessary to find safer forms of work in the community.
64
Local bodies, on request of the Mayor, have also strengthened the birth registration
system and made it free of cost for working children. Once registered, these children
then have access to government health and education benefits for the first time.
In addition, the Mayor has given working children open access to his office so that they
can drop in to share and discuss their issues. He is willing to provide a suitable place on
the Kurigram Municipality campus for working children; A permanent room will be
allocated for the working children in the building to be constructed soon within the
premise of the town office, Mr. Nuru promised.
65
N
O
I
T
RA
I
es
P
m
S
o
c
e
en
B
r
IN
r
d
l
i
o
l
i
h
c
C
n
u
g
Ward Cuoardian of Wor kinis an influential poinlitivcoialvnemaenndt
G
tive
Humayun
for
a. His ac
Mr. Md.
premises
gh, Dhak
a
able
r,
r in Lalb
when suit
n
a
g
e
Councilo
Councilo
b
t
d
r
c
a
je
o
W
r
a
p
s
SA
ound. A
leaders
with the N
ing local
d to be f
c
a
h
in
v
C
n
R
o
c
L
nd
the local
ccessful in sioners building a
u
s
s
a
w
n
ayu
harge.
Commis
Mr. Hum
free of c
m of the
e
o
o
tr
r
n
e
a
c
to
te
ity
to alloca
required
commun
is
d
t
o
n
o
a
h
n
r
o
b
himself
s each te
the neigh
umayun
ancy r ule
H
n
.
te
d
M
e
th
r.
dren
Under
arantor. M rantor for the chil
u
g
l
a
c
lo
a
on and
nal gua
produce
is dedicati
s a perso
a
h
s
d
r
te
a
a
w
tr
r
s
agh.
demon
came fo
act which
en of Lalb
r
n
d
a
il
,
h
c
C
g
R
in
es
of L
the work
rogramm
p
to
t
d
n
n
e
a
m
commit
n be
s events
which ca
ntly hold
s
e
e
u
c
q
a
e
p
r
s
f
r
nj
ge
The LRC
Nababgo
se of lar
e
u
th
e
r
th
a
e
e
quir
ntre n
ation.
which re
unity Ce
y Corpor
m
it
m
C
o
e
C
th
e
y
er
h
b
ly $77) p
costly. T
nted out
te
e
a
r
d
im
n
x
a
o
r
d
p
wne
00 (ap
asions
Park is o
ge Tk. 6,0 On numerous occ
r
a
h
c
y
ll
a
be
s.
They usu
venues to
ogramme
r
e
p
th
d
e
r
is
o
f
n
ga
Big ger
rranged
day for or
children.
un has a
y
e
a
th
m
u
r
o
H
f
and
st
Mr. Md.
mpaigns
ee of co
a
r
c
f
s
s
ly
e
e
r
n
ti
e
r
en
ke awa
der the
provided
j Park un
rammes li
n
g
o
o
r
g
p
b
a
y
b
it
o
commun
at the N
rganised
o
e
r
e
w
s
rallie
oration.
City Corp
66
In addition to the provision of rent free premises Mr. Md. Humayun has
made personal financial contributions of Tk. 10,000 (around $130) during
Child Rights Week in September 2012. His donations were used to
distribute seasonal fruits to the working children who cannot afford to
buy and enjoy the taste of the seasonal fruits and deprived of the basic
level of nutrition. Humayun Bhai is really supportive. Without his
cooperation it would have been hard to achieve what we have reached
today. We consider and respect him as the guardian of the children of
this ward, the Project Co-ordinator expressed.
67
ON
I
T
A
R
I
Community Leader is a
P
S
IN
Voicefor Working Children
Mr. G.M. Mofizul Islam, a young community leader of Betkashi Union in Khulna became a voice for poor
children in need when he became an active CPC member in 2010. An elected member of local government, Mr.
Islam was impressed with the sincerity of the project objectives and decided to dedicate his time for the sake
of working children.
Betkashi is a remote area in terms of communication and employment opportunities. Here, parents have very
little knowledge about the purpose of birth registration or the benefits linked to it. Mr. Islam took the lead in
activating the Birth Registration system in the locality. The CPC, CMC and local government worked together
to arrange announcements informing and motivating the community about the importance of birth
registration. Further, the local authority introduced budgetary allocations for child development. This fund
supports talented students to continue their studies and can pay towards expenses such as examination fees. Mr.
Islam himself supported thirty parents of working children to get employment under the Food for Work
programme of the local government. He also assisted twenty families to get access to the VGF programme
support giving families free food rations. All these measures are provided under the government social safety
net programmes.
68
After the devastating cyclone Aila in 2009, incidents of child trafficking increased in the
Khulna district. Lured by promises of a good job or marriage, in good faith, many parents
handed over their children. These children were often abducted and taken to the Indian
Barashat district or on to other locations in India or the Middle East. Mr. Islam and the
CPC successfully rescued a child in August 2012 with support of the local administration.
Mr. Islam also attended training on Disaster Risk Reduction conducted by the NSA project
in 2011. During the Mahasen tornado threat in May 2013 the project Management
Committee worked with the community to turn the local school into a cyclone shelter. With
the help of local leaders and the nearby mosque, people were alerted and were assisted to
prepare for the potential disaster and its effects.
69
70

CHAPTER-7
N
O
I
T
N
E
V
R
E
NSAs were Responsible
T
IN
for Promoting Rights and Entitlements

in Favour of Working Children and their Families
The term Non-State Actor (NSA) is widely used in the
development sector as it refers to a range of
non-governmental organisations. In local context NSAs are
formed of many types of groups including communitybased organisations, non-governmental organisations, trade
unions/employers associations, youth clubs, local media
etc.
All the NSAs involved in this project deal with childrens
issues, particularly those related to working children and
their overall protection at national, local and community
level. The NSAs we work with include forums, local
institutions and clubs. This project aimed to build up the
capacity of these forums and bodies so that they can make
a greater difference to the community they serve.
Associated NSAs were also responsible for promoting the
rights and entitlements of poor families and their children.
They provided assistance to local bodies to prepare child
development plans and empower communities so that the
disadvantaged can receive their services. The NSA
involvement also helped to ensure the accountability of
local bodies to the communities they serve. One of the
prime objectives of the project was to have the
commitment of the NSA through a Community
Declaration.
71
72
INSPIRATION
NSA Introduces Positive Changes for Working Children

Poor Families are the Focus of Paikgacha NSA
73
N
O
I
T
RA
I
P
S
IN
NSA Introduces Positive Changes
for Working Children
Mr. Masudur Rahman was a Ward Councilor in Kurigram Pourashova (municipality) for eight years and
remains a key member of Kusakri, a local cultural youth organisation. Due to his community connections
his help was invaluable in introducing the project and its objectives to the people of Kurigram. In addition
to talking to children about their working conditions he was able to engage local families in different
forums and motivate parents in relation to education, sanitation and health issues. Mr. Rahman and the
youth organisation were also able to discuss the benefits of sending children to the LRC to learn basic
reading, writing and numeracy and encouraged parents to join the CMC and be part of their activities.
74
62
This NSA was also able to persuade local government to include some of the most vulnerable families in their
social safety net programmes. As a result over seventy families obtained Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) cards.
Under this programme some of the families of the projects LRC children now receive 20kg of free rice
three times a year.
Kurigram Pourashova is one of the northern towns of Bangladesh where winters are severe, especially for the
disadvantaged who are unable to buy warm winter clothes. Between 2010 and 2012 Mr. Rahman and the youth
organisation successfully lobbied at the Mayors office for the allocation of warm clothes and blankets for over
forty working children and their families.
In 2011, there were a number of serious road accidents outside a primary school in the area. To ensure the safety
of children coming to the LRC Mr. Rahman spoke to the local police station to ask them to deploy additional
personnel in the locality. This means that children are now safer than ever.
In the past Mr. Rahman thought that the scarcity of resources was the main challenge for development. Nowadays
he believes that positive changes are possible even with limited resources. This project has been an eye opener
for me. I have learned how we can better use existing resources to help people in need, he said.
75
N
O
I
T
ies are
il
m
a
A
F
r
o
R
o
I
P
NSA
a
h
c
a
INSP
g
ik
a
P
f
discuss
o
s
initiative to
e
th
s
e
k
the Focu
ta
unity
ar also
with comm
Mr. Mojumd
ms
cial proble
mes to
relevant so
held program
e
av
h
y
e
th
far
asing, child
members. So
dowry, eve te
f
o
s
e
su
is
drug
al
c
adolescent
tackle the lo
d
an
e
ag
ri
mar
ve role in
abuse, child
a very acti
s
y
la
p
e
about
H
problems.
g awareness
in
ad
re
sp
es.
and
and their liv
n
motivating
re
d
il
ch
g
n
cation.
es affecti
various issu
e about edu
at
n
o
si
as
p
y
or
ularl
useful as po
re
He is partic
e
w
s
n
g
ai
dic camp
er place
These perio
have no oth
a
e
ar
te
o
m
to
re
milies in this
ithout access
w
fa
,
s
n
e
io
su
n
is
U
i
in Delut
out these
dio. Mr.
ojumdar lives
to learn ab
.
ision and ra
n
v
io
le
ss
te
fe
e
ro
k
p
Mr. Nripen M
li
by
s
r
and
ie
cial support
ila and is a tailo
odern facilit
az
m
an
p
n
U
e
fi
n
a
s
h
Ju
e
ac
id
in
kg
v
ai
P
e project
ften pro
utions
volved with th
Mojumdar o
make contrib
d
to
an
s
n
A
re
S
ild
He became in
N
ch
r
g
e
oth
support workin
encourages
ts.
2010 hoping to
g these even
y.
in
it
is
un
an
m
rg
m
o
co
n
e
helped
e
th
wh
families were
their families in
n
PC
e
C
te
d
h
an
ig
e
C
e
M
v
C
t of
ti
ith his initia
along with the
IREE projec
r,
W
H
S
da
)
e
m
F
ju
th
G
o
r
(V
M
e
g
d
r.
n
n
M
Feedi
pport u
received
ulnerable Group
to access su
r
se families
e
de
h
n
T
U
.
.
es
n
ili
advocated for V
m
re
d
fa
small
hil
eir
ave the C
to set up
children and th
S
r
o
y
o
e
ic
p
n
r
as
o
b
fo
m
s
e
iv
rd
d
ca
ers rece
ats an
t up local
VGF card-hold
vehicles, bo
elped to se
of
h
ee
fr
re
e
ur
w
o
this initiative
fl
e
d
ting
m
o
as milk, sugar an
usinesses. S
ans of genera
e
b
ch
m
su
e
s
e
th
iv
em
d
at
it
d
an
rn
o
s
te
fo
festival
s as al
ital role in
e Muslim Eid
grocery shop
to
so played a v
al
le
ab
ar
d
e
cost during th
m
er
w
ju
o
M
Health
Puja. This team
income. Mr.
Community
e
e
n
o
th
l
al
h
it
f
o
w
Hindu Durga
milies
links
g children
cards for the fa
establishing
e
nt to workin
e
th
m
at
at
n
e
re
tr
manage VGF
ild
e
ch
id
v
g
n and
ghteen workin
LRC childre
Clinics to pro
e
e
th
th
f
w
o
o
e
N
n
o
hundred and ei
ame
milies.
ila receive
union. This bec
and their fa
gacha Upaz
k
ai
P
.
LRC in Deluti
te
in
da
s
to
f cost.
achievements
their familie
rvices free o
se
projects big gest
e
ar
c
th
al
e
primary h
76
CHAPTER-8
N
O
I
T
N
E
NTERV
Working together
with Government
Institutions to Protect, Include and Provide
Opportunities for Working Children
One of the project objectives was to work with government agencies and institutions to make positive changes in
the lives of working children and their families. In particular the project worked with Post Offices, Bangladesh
Shisu Academy (BSA) offices and also with Police Stations in all project locations.
To meet this outcome effective links were initially made with the government Post Offices. For the first time
working children have been given access to local savings programmes which helped them invest for the future.
Bangladesh Shishu Academy is a government institution that provides all facilities to nurture and develop the talents
of children. Over the last three years the LRC children have been able to benefit from enrolment on various
Bangladesh Shishu Academy training courses in painting, music as well as other performing arts. These children
have been able to develop their skills and participate in competitions and programmes at local and national level.
Some have even won awards, prizes and certificates. For the majority of these working children they have never had
access to these facilities before.
Lalbagh Police Station along with others also became positively engaged with working children issues. In the past
Police Stations did not pay much attention on the issues of street and working children - were always seen as
problematic by law enforcement bodies. With the support of local officials of this project, Lalbagh Police Station
made some qualitative changes in favour of working children. These steps go a long way towards acknowledging
the rights and entitlements of children.
Collectively these governmental institutions have made positive contributions to the lives of working and
disadvantaged children in project locations across Bangladesh.
77
78
INSPIRATION
Kurigram Post Office Gives Rights to Working Children

Lalbagh Police Station Protects Vulnerable Children
Bangladesh Shishu Academy Welcomes Working Children
79
N
O
I
T
SPIRA
IN
Kurigram Post Office Gives

Rights to Working Children
The Post Office is one of the most trusted and respected institutions of the governmental system in
Bangladesh. One of the popular services of the post office is the Savings Account offered to adults and
parents who can open and run accounts on behalf of their children. Until recently there was no
provision to allow unaccompanied children to access this facility. Project staff visited the officials of
the local Post Office to discuss the possibility of extending the Savings Scheme to all working children.
In May 2011 the Savings Scheme rules were made flexible. Now any child with a Birth Registration
Certificate and four photographs can open an account with an initial deposit of Tk. 100 (around $1).
For the first time all LRC children now have the opportunity to open an account in their name and earn
interest on their hard earned money. In the past two years seventy six LRC children have opened
accounts at the Head Post office in Kurigram Municipality. This is an unbelievable success as often
working children have no excess income after their daily expenses are met. Where children have earned
a little extra they are now able to save a portion of this money for emergencies or to make plans for
their future.
80
To open an account the LRC children

can go to the Post Office along with the
centre staff, an elder brother or sister or
a Child Forum member. This support
gives them the confidence to deal with
the application process. In time they are
able to independently operate their own
account. Further, since working children
do not have much free time during the
day this Post Office provides these
children with a speedy service: We do
not have to wait more than 10
minutes to deposit or withdraw
money, a young account holder
proudly told us.

Nowadays the Post Office with the help
of the project Committees and the
Child Forum organises community
awareness programmes about saving
money. In the past the Post Offices of
remote districts like Kurigram did not
know about World Savings Day on
October 31st. It is now a special day for
both LRC children and the Kurigram
Post Office; These awareness
activities
have
dramatically
increased the number of savings
accounts in our post office, said a
long term postal worker at Kurigram

Central post office.
81
N
O
I
T
RA
I
P
S
N
Lalbagh
Police Station
Protects
Vulnerable
Children
The NSA project has been working at Lalbagh Police Station (Thana) since April 2010 to establish child rights in the
community. In the past Police Stations were rarely concerned about childrens issues and often little attention was
paid to cases where children had been exploited, were victims or had their rights violated.
The Police Station of Lalbagh Thana is located in the heart of hundreds of informal factories which employ
thousands of working children. In this area childrens rights and entitlements are regularly violated not only by the
employers but by community members and sometimes by their own parents. The project aimed to provide
awareness on child rights and legal processes amongst the caregivers and local authorities such as the police.
82
Child Protection Committee members talked to Thana officials at Lalbagh

Police Station to make them aware of their responsibilities as far as child
protection issues are concerned. After a period of negotiation the Thana
Officer (OC) along with fellow staff were motivated to sign a Code of
Conduct in favour of the children. This was particularly important in cases
involving child protection issues. The Code promises child friendly
behaviour by the police personnel who are now committed to safeguarding
children from abuse and exploitation in the area.
After signing the declaration police officials are now motivated to help
young offenders by abiding the rules and legal procedures. Here, police
officers are committed to referring these children to local rehabilitation
centres with the support of the Probation Officer of the Department of
Social Services. In these centres, Child Case Management procedures are
followed and the children receive required legal support.
Lalbagh Police Station officials now diligently observe the rules and
regulations and are keen to mitigate the suffering of children where there
is a conflict with the law. They no longer arrest children using hand-cuffs
or detain children with adults in the same prison cell. The Officer in
Charge of Lalbagh Police Station expressed his gratitude to the project
personnel for taking up this initiative with them.
83
N
O
I
T
RA
I
P
S
Bangladesh Shishu Academy
IN
Welcomes Working Children
Bangladesh Shishu Academy (BSA) was established in 1976 to give
children support with their physical, mental and cultural
development. It is an autonomous body under the Ministry of
Women and Children Affairs of th Government of Bangladesh. The
mission of the Academy is to help children to nurture their talents
and skills in the areas of music, dancing, drawing, recitation etc.
The BSA is a popular and busy place which is enjoyed by many
children and there is competition for enrolment. However, the
tuition fees were high and many less well off children missed out on
the opportunity to attend. In 2010 NSA project officials made
several visits to the senior officials and Director of BSA to learn
more about the existing programs and also to discuss about the
opportunities of enrolling the children of the less privileged
families. They focused on finding avenues to accommodate working
and disadvantaged children in their regular programmes.
Initially BSA officers had reservations about mixing wealthy and
underprivileged children together in the same group/class which
could cause tension amongst parents. Finally a bold decision was
taken in favour of working children thereby ensuring equal
opportunities for all. The BSA was committed to providing special
support so that disadvantaged children felt included and proud of
their membership at the Academy. In the past two years, seventy
working children were admitted to the Head Quarter branch of the
BSA for music, dance, painting and recitation classes. The Academy
also reduced the admission fee from Tk. 500 (around $6.5) to
Tk. 100 (just over $1) per child and it was made free for working
children.
84
h local people
C, Mr. Selim held meetings wit
CP
the
of
n
tio
ma
for
the
After
their employers.
I talk with children and
ren and how they
d wellbeing of the child
an
h
alt
he
the
t
ou
ab
I ask
, Mr. Selim
I can see the changes...
e. taking
workp
at the
Many children
enjoyed
success
at lac
BSA,
part in Childstic
Rights
Week,
ng on great
getti
was
arehave
AssociationIndependence
s of the Pla
Employer
for
uct
nd
Co
of
de
The
working
children
of
the
NSA
project
are doing
Day and Victory
Day
celebrations.
Co
A
.
shared
provede to factories to see the im
ma
are
its
vis
r
ula
reg
w
no
really well.dev
They
have
We recognise
andwon awards in painting, dance and omusic.
eloped
gs with their
C and CPC als hold meetin
CMfuture
Thethe
es.
iliti
fac
e
lac
rkp
wo
talents andme
believe
they
will
do
well
in
,
the
BSA
Programme
Officer
Ms.
the
in
s
nt
ard
roles and responsibilities tow
ir
the
of
m
the
ind
rem
to
Arjuman Banu
employers
thepraised.
ldren. to send their trainers directly to the Learning Recreation Centres
rking chi
Recently the wo
Academy
decided
uced festival bonuses and
also introd
yers thought
emploWe
ality,money.
s locand
so that children
could
it would pic
be better to offer courses to
in thitime
tly, save
Recen
annual nic has become a
rther, anour
. Fu
urs
ho
ng
rki
wo
ra
ext
We
are
sending
teachers
to the LRC
children in their
own
environment.
for
nt
payme
them.so that
the children who work for
and
ers
mb
me
on
iati
soc
As
children aremu
able
to the
spend more time learning and can save on
transport
costs, the
st for
We are
ards working children.
ive tow
sitnow
sen
re
mo
me
co
be
Director said.Even
more
working
children
can
enjoy
learning
new
artistic
skills
and
ve
ha
We
e member.different
better, said a Committe
es
liv
ir
the
ke
ma
to
st
forms of expression.
trying our be
59
85
86
CHAPTER-9
N
O
I
T
n
N
e
r
E
d
l
i
V
h
R
C
king
NTE
or
W
d
n
a
Media
ting to
a
l
e
R
s
ue
the Iss
t
u
o
b
n
A
Childre
reness Their Lives.
r
a
o
f
w
s
A
e
g
g
d
e Chan
t role in
Creatin Children an
v
i
t
i
s
o
ignifican
s
P
g
a
s
n
i
s
e
y
r
k
la
urrent
Wor
Ensu
media p
ng on c
a
ti
i
e
r
h
o
d
p
T
e
e
r
tive
eM
es
lives. By
investiga
,
s
m
e
How thTheir Famili
it
peoples
ws
n be
rough ne
media ca
and
issues th
ports the
s.
munitie
special re
mass com useful
stories or
g
in
h
c
a
in re
ia is a
a unique
the med
ly
r all
e
v
ti
c
e
eff
hange fo
c
l
ia
c
o
If used
s
ut
groups
ring abo
eglected
n
r
tool to b
o
le
b
vulnera
ity.
including
commun
e
th
in
le
e of the
of peop
ia was on
d
e
m
h
g
rom
y throu
project. F
A
S
N
Advocac
e
ia
ents of th
nal med
core elem local and natio
a
e
cr te
et
mme to
a
r
g
o
r
the outs
p
g
A
to workin
d the NS
d
te
la
e
r
s
supporte
sue
their
s about is
es. With
v
li
awarenes
ir
e
ake
and th
able to m
n
e
e
b
s
children
a
h
g about
e project
s to brin
n
o
ti
support th
c
e
n
taged
sary con
disadvan
r
o
f
the neces
changes
ilies.
positive
their fam
d
n
a
n
e
r
child
87
88
INSPIRATION
Media Lobbies for Working Children

Press Club Highlights the Issues of Working Children
A Child Sensitive Journalist
89
N
O
I
T
SPIRA
IN
s for
g
n
i
k
r
Wo
Me
bie Kamal Jahangir

b
o
L
ly
stafa
dia
f Week
Mr. Mo
n
e
r
d
l
i
Ch
uced
e introd
h
s
t
s
li
a
urn
s article
urage jo
est new
b
To enco
e
h
t
issues;
rd for
ildrens
h
c
an awa
ers
on
s memb
g
e
g
in
t
a
r
r
o
u
rep
he
nco
o
ai e
Editor
ht t
e
h
t
popular
afa Bh
highlig
t
s
is
a
o
o
(
t
M
b
ta
of
lu
n Bar
the
stories
Press C
in
s
e
d
s
h
e
Sundarba
e
t
t
c
la
uc
of
orking
er circu
and s
nd
larly w
u
newspap Bangladesh) a
c
i
oblems
t
r
r
p
a
p
iz, a
f
gacha
ildren
bdul Az
h
ik
A
c
a
.
P
l
south o
d
a
e
c
M
lo
r.
of the
t of th
an
, said M
sident
e
Presiden b. He is
r
ildren
P
h
e
c
ic
V
amal
Clu
t and
Mr. K
t and
s
s
li
li
.
a
a
Press
b
n
n
r
r
lu
u
u
C
jo
n Child
ced jo
Press
than a
minar o
e
experien
gacha
e
S
r
ik
l
o
a
a
P
in
m
n
io
itten
the Nat
dy tour
u
d
t
hildrens
e
s
c
d
has wr
n
n
a
e
o
t
t
s
d
a
ped
article
d joine
Mr.
n
ur hel
a
o
0
t
1
r
0
u
e
hundred
2
o
h
Lab
12. T
ing of
In May sident of
m in 20
rstand
a
e
r
d
issues.
e
ig
r
n
r
u
P
u
r
K
the
te
became
n in
t a bet
e
e
r
m, an
g
d
u
l
i
r
o
Kamal
t
h
o
c
F
me
arned
ms of
etwork
also le
of local
I
proble
p
the N
.
u
h
e
e
s
d
h
e
t
a
for
lad
tion m
are
taken
f Bang
o
s
h
ho
e
organisa
t
v
r
w
i
e
no
itiat
a
nals
am, h
he in
Kurigr
professio
n
creating
out t
i
b
n
a
o
e
t
ted
childr
n in
commit
l childre
orking
a
c
w
lo
r
o
f
platfor m
said.
.
a
h
c
a
g
ik
Pa
90
Mr. Kamal learned about the ban on child

rickshaw pullers in Kurigram. He
discussed this with members of the
Network Forum and Press Club in
Paikgacha and sought to set up similar
initiatives. With the backing of the local
Upazilla Mayor, children are now
prohibited from the harmful work of
pulling vans in Paikgacha.
Through the media Mr. Kamal and his
Network Forum were also successful in
obtaining budget allocation for child
development in Paikgacha town. They
also lobbied for land and funds to create a
park for local children. We have
learned from Kurigram that a
legitimate demand is reachable. We
hope to have a park for the children
in Paikgacha very soon, he said.
Already significant budget allocation has

been made by the local government to
construct the park.
91
s
e
u
s
s
I
e
h
t
hts
g
i
ON
l
I
h
g
i
T
H
A
b
Clu
IR
s
s
P
e
r
S
P
dren
l
i
N
h
I
C
g
n
i
k
of Wor
g children
out workin
write ab
ject has
ys used to
a
lw
a
I
hildren pro
h
C
g
e
th
e
v
Althou
a
abib
e S
, Mr. Ahsan H
ent with th
m
e
e
su
lv
is
o
v
e
in
th
my
dent for
tanding of
t Correspon
my unders
ic
tr
is
D
e
th
enhanced
Nilu is
Jugantor, a
ted. Mr.
lved with
Nilu commen
) and is invo
V
T
ss Club.
(B
n
io
is
elev
Kurigram Pre
f
o
n
so
er
Bangladesh T
p
rint,
ad
and local p
aper and a le
sp
al
n
ew
io
n
at
n
al
n
f
io
nat
rised o
lub is comp
tatives.
The Press C
edia represen
m
e
ened
n
li
n
o
d
ress Club op
P
e
th
television an
d
an
u
Mr. Nil
children
NSA project
gram. These
ri
u
K
f
o
n
Through the
re
rns
ild
es and conce
e working ch
su
th
is
r
to
ei
rs
th
o
o
ss
d
its
to discu
to help
opportunity
the club try
f
o
s
er
b
now have an
em
m
This
in the media.
ts. In turn
s
is
rn
al
ce
rn
n
u
jo
co
r
h
ei
wit
ing th
s attitudes
ren by address
ge in people
an
ch
t
u
o
working child
ab
t
alli.
now brough
of Harijon P
n
as
h
re
d
s
il
es
ch
en
ed
ar
aw
ginalis
wards the mar
particularly to
92
ts and
meet with paren
en
ft
o
ts
is
al
n
ther jour
out child
Mr. Nilu and o
ate them ab
uc
ed
to
le
eop
children
its of giving
community p
ef
en
b
e
th
d
issues an
able to meet
development
ly they are also
al
n
io
as
cc
O
.
n
ials to
atio
vernment offic
access to educ
go
er
th
o
d
an
e
inistrativ
to provide
with local adm
ns issues and
re
ild
ch
n
o
s
es
increase awaren
es.
ic
rv
beneficial se
aining to the
professional tr
es
d
vi
ro
p
so
skills.
al
develop their
The press club
to
m
ra
ig
ur
K
ists of
idence-based
young journal
n in writing ev
re
ild
ch
g
in
rk
o
ew
ch young
Members guid
r lives. Ten su
ei
th
to
d
te
la
atures re
ews agency
articles and fe
r the online n
fo
g
in
rk
o
w
w
e Press
no
members of th
reporters are
ty
en
tw
l
al
,
. Further
about abuse,
BDNews.com
ing awareness
is
ra
to
d
te
it
m
Last year,
Club are com
n and women.
re
ild
ch
st
n
ai
ucted
lence ag
ss club cond
re
p
torture and vio
e
th
f
o
members
lished in
Mr. Nilu and
that were pub
n
re
ild
ch
g
in
the
h work
r, nineteen of
te
af
interviews wit
n
o
So
s.
different
al newspaper
several nation
support from
al
ci
an
n
fi
ation.
ived
tinue their educ
n
children rece
co
to
em
th
ich helped
endously
institutions wh
project has trem
SA
N
e
th
at
area.
ves th
ildren in the
ch
Mr. Nilu belie
g
in
rk
o
w
lives of
lecasted a
improved the
e Press Club te
th
n
io
is
ev
el
T
ildren
adesh
ms working ch
Through Bangl
ra
ig
ur
K
ut
o
ammes ab
le to learn
series of progr
gladesh were ab
an
B
f
o
le
p
eo
n. In
The p
working childre
r
in April 2013.
o
o
p
f
o
es
e daily liv
Community
more about th
eveloped a
d
b
lu
C
ss
. This
Pre
their premises
addition, the
n
o
d
ye
la
p
is
hich is d
children.
Declaration w
mitment to the
m
co
r
ei
th
s
te
demonstra
93
list
a
ON
I
n
r
u
T
o
J
A
IR
tive lways ready to come and
i
s
P
n
e
S
S
d
N
l
I
I am a
ects the
A Chi
sue that aff
is
y
n
a
n
o
rt
repo
give me a
ildren, just
Lalbagh ch
ony, a
Abu Saleh R
r.
M
id
sa
r
call,
akal, a popula
aily Sam
reporter at D
od Mr.
m his childho
ro
F
.
ily
da
al
nation
hing for
to do somet
Rony wanted
now a
ildren and he is
ch
d
ge
le
vi
ri
rp
unde
ild-related
butor on ch
regular contri
he has
out his career
gh
ou
hr
T
.
es
ies
issu
laws and polic
e
th
t
ou
ab
learned
helped
ghts which have
ri
ild
ch
to
d
te
rela
s with
quality report
him to write
substance.
oject
ith the NSA pr
w
ar
ili
m
fa
e
m
He beca
orkshops
two media w
g
in
nd
te
at
r
ner
afte
projects part
e
th
by
d
organise
kshops
pon. These wor
di
ro
P
on
ti
sa
ni
ity
orga
als an opportun
on
si
es
of
pr
ia
gave med
ation of
about the situ
e
or
m
lk
ta
to
derstand
n and better un
working childre
bagh. Mr.
eir work in Lal
th
of
re
tu
na
or
e
th
thousands of po
at
th
d
un
fo
y
on
Saleh R
low-cost
engaged in
e
ar
n
re
ild
do
ch
He wanted to
k.
or
w
on
ti
produc
about the
eate awareness
cr
to
ng
hi
et
m
so
and to
ur in this area
bo
la
ild
ch
of
extent
ng children.
the local worki
to
e
ic
vo
a
ve
gi
94
ing the
ted investigat
ar
st
y
n
o
R
r.
M
and his
rking children
stories of wo
rough
telecasted th
e
er
w
s
rt
o
p
re
nel in
lead TV chan
ATN news (a
mes and
His program
).
h
es
ad
gl
an
n
B
a well know
im
h
e
ad
m
s
report
ea. He
e Lalbagh ar
th
in
n
so
er
p
d is
r children an
fo
e
ic
o
v
a
e
becam
among
ed person
st
u
tr
a
w
o
d
n
his positive an
to
e
u
d
rs
ye
emplo
. Now
iour with them
av
eh
b
ly
d
n
ie
fr
both
ter access to
et
b
as
h
y
n
o
Mr. R
ildren.
d working ch
employers an
ces
s the workpla
it
is
v
y
rl
la
gu
He re
n ask
d capeo
s hanloc
erwit
ork
ple
w
al
d
il
gs
ch
etin
me
f
d
o
eing. He
C, Mr. Selim hel
lb
CP
el
the
w
of
r
n
tio
ei
ma
th
for
t
the
u
After
ployenrs.
ns ab
tioren
anod their em
ues
ild
ope ed
I talk with qch
t has w
c
je
ro
p
is
they
h
ho
T
d
an
:
ren
ed
ild
ch
at
ve
st
the
d wellbeing of
t sensitiim
an
u
h
b
alt
he
ft
the
t
so
ou
ab
a
I ask
Sel
to
.
Mr
r
,
o
...
s
o
ge
d
an
e the ch
rkplace. I canthsee
be told sin
s to
eedAs
are getting on at the wo
t nstic
a
iation Iwaam
soc
th
e
Pla
su
the
is
of
Employers
for
ner.
uct
n
nd
a
Co
m
of
de
Co
te
A
a
.
prito see the improveshared
roies
pp
a
n
tor
a
fac
to
de
ma
d with
visits are
volvegs
e ldin
bho
with g
developed and now regular
to
etin
me
y
p
o
p
als
a
C
h
CP
The CMC and
es.
am tryin
iliti
I
fac
e
.
lac
n
rkp
wo
re
d
the
in
il
ment
chponsibilities towardsat
ing res
orkand
wes
ope th
m of their rol
part and h
the employers to remind the
y
m
to do
l bring
ution wil
ib
working children.
tr
n
o
c
andthe
my uced festival boanu
es in
ngses
ployers also introd
positive ch become aand
me ual
Recently, in this locality, em
so
nic hashildren
ann pic
hours. Further, an
f those crk for them.
es oen
payment for extra working
livchi
wo
o
wh
mbers and the eirldrfamilies.
must for the Association me
ths working children. We are
sitive toward
er.
We have become more sen
r, said a Committee memb
trying our best to make
their lives bette
59
95
96
ngladesh
Ba
Wor king Children in
E FIELD
M TH
O
R
F
S
IE
R
O
SPIRING ST
IN
For further information, please contact
Save the Children

House - CWN (A) 35, Road - 43
Gulshan-2, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
Tel:+ 88-02-986 1690-1, Fax: 88-02-9886372
Web: www.savethechildren.net

Inspiring Stories From The Field of Working Children in Bangladesh

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Inspiring Stories From The Field of Working Children in Bangladesh

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Formats disponibles

Inspiring Life

Save the Children

Child Workers In Bangladesh

About the Project

The Situation of Working Children in Project Locations

Rabbani Helped to Return to School

Sumitra Becomes a Role Model

Miraj Wins Awards for Painting

Mehdi Helped to Fulfil His Singing Dreams

Rina Dreams to be a Nurse

Intervention: Childrens Forums A Platform for the Voice of Working Children

Pre-Primary School Built for Working Children

Children Learn New Skills at Theatre for Development

Child Forum Advocates for Working Children

Intervention: Centre Management Committees A Platform for Community Participation

CMC Sets Example of Good Management

CMC Cooperates with Local Government and NGOs

CMC Helps Children Return to School

CMC Brings Positive Changes to Local Community

UP Chairman Safeguards Child Protection

to Improve Child Working Conditions

Young Businessman Takes Up Code of Conduct

Access Government Benefits and Social Support

Children Protected from Hazardous Work

Ward Councilor becomes Guardian of Working Children

Community Leader is a Voice for Working Children

NSA Introduces Positive Changes for Working Children

Poor Families are the Focus of Paikgacha NSA

Kurigram Post Office Gives Rights to Working Children

Lalbagh Police Station Protects Vulnerable Children

Bangladesh Shishu Academy Welcomes Working Children

Media Lobbies for Working Children

Press Club Highlights the Issues of Working Children

A Child Sensitive Journalist

Bangladesh Shisu Academy

Centre Management Committee

Child Protection Committee

Khulna Development Authority

Learning and Recreation Centre

NGO Non-governmental Organisation

Theatre for Development

Vulnerable Group Feeding

CHILD WORKERS IN BANGLADESH

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Four Pillars of the Project:

Building local institutional capacities (particularly of NSAs and local bodies)

Prodipon (Dhaka Lalbagh, Khulna Paikgacha and Koira)

THE SITUATION OF WORKING CHILDREN

Dhaka- Lalbag and

60% of the children are engaged in the production of imitation jewellery

10% of the children are engaged in recycling plastic materials

8% of the children are engaged in aluminium factories

5% of the children are engaged in shoe making

3% of the children are engaged as helpers or assistants for adult workers

2% of the children are engaged as carpenters helpers

2% of the children are engaged in cap making

388 children (mostly boys) work as day labourers

296 children work for bidi (hand rolled cigarettes)

189 children work as helpers at bus stands, shops and hotels

KHULNA CITY CORPORATION

PAIKGACHA AND KOIRA UPAZILA

Inspiring Life Stories

Rabbani Helped to Return to School