Child Protection Bangladesh Project #41679

Give child labourers an education in Bangladesh

by UK Bangladesh Education Trust

Give child labourers an education in Bangladesh

Project Report | Dec 19, 2022
Report on education programme for working children

By Mohammed Asaduzzman Sayem | Executive Director

Extreme poverty pushes 3.45m children as young as 5 years old into work despite child labour being against the law in Bangladesh. Instead of going to school to learn and enjoy their childhood they work in jobs where they are at risk of exploitation, abuse and harm. Without an education children's life chances are very limited. This project provides education sessions to support working children away from hazardous labour and into school or vocational training and the chance to escape poverty. At the same time their families are supported out of poverty.

Major activities of the project:

- 448 children are attending regular sessions on literacy, numeracy and life skills (6 hours/week).

- Families are visited by field workers and provided with necessary support for coming out of thier extreme poverty. Over the last three months we have provided micro grant to 34 families enabling them to start or expand their small business.

- We arrange awareness programmes at neighbourhood of children’s families. We raise awarness of mass people on importance of children educaiton, child right, child marriage, womens rights etc. Over the last three months we arranged 12 awareness programmes.

- 11 children were admitted to vocational training.

- We have convinced 112 children and their families to get admitted to school on January 2023. Necessary support will be provided for their progression from work to school.

Story of Fahim ( Not real name)

16-year-old Fahim ( Not real name) joined UKBET's Working Children Project in September 2021 and currently works in a garage. During one of UKBET's routine family visits, our community teacher, M A Salam (Not real name), learned about his family's poor financial circumstances. Fahim (Not real name) has seven siblings. His elder brother is currently unemployed. His father Kayes Miah ( Not real name) used to drive a rented rickshaw, and as a result, a significant portion of his entire earnings was spent to pay the rickshaw's rent.
Considering this situation, Mr. Salam (Not real name) arranged a loan from UKBET last week for Fahim's (Not real name) father to buy a rickshaw of his own.Mr. Miah (Not real name) expressed his gratitude to Mar. Salam (Not real name) and UKBET for their humanitarian act, and he promised to send two of his daughters—ages 10 and 12—to school next year.

The purpose of UKBET's family grants programme is to ensure that the family has a stable alternate source of income following the withdrawal of their children from hazardous employment like collecting garbage.

Your donations make a profound impact to the futures of working children.

Links:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_VM7x-U0hk0

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Apr 25, 2022
Report on education programme for working children

By Mohammed Sayem | Project leader

The pandemic has led to rising levels of unemployment amongst the poorest families in Bangladesh. As a result, more children than ever were 2 sent to work instead of school to contribute to their family’s income. A recent joint study from the World Bank and United Nations agencies estimated that 1 out of every 10 girls in Bangladesh did not return to school as they reopened after the COVID-19 lock-downs. Instead, they worked long hours in high-risk physical occupations, often vulnerable to abuse.Doorstep Learning brings basic education, healthcare and support to children forced to work as domestic servants due to family poverty. Our programme gives children access to education and support to move out of forced labour. It also helps end their family’s dependency on child labour.

Key information about Doorstep learing project :

204 young girls and 152 of the families of working children, which in total is over 900 children and adult beneficiaries
Schools were closed for much of 2021 but in the short time they were open, 48 out of 204 girls left work for school 51 younger siblings of working children broke the pattern of following their sisters into work and went to school instead 32 young women enrolled into vocational training as an important step towards a new and better future
5 awareness-raising programmes were organised for families and other local stakeholders highlighting children’s rights and the importance of education
30 micro-grants were awarded to help families generate a secure income and reduce or stop dependency on their working children
343 family members were supported to get COVID-19 vaccinations and arrangements made with Sylhet Corporation for UKBET children to be vaccinated.

Thank you for your kindness in supporting Project for children collecting garbage in Sylhet. Your donation helps ensure that we can continue our work with these vulnerable, poorest of the poor children! Please continue your support which will enable us to continue giving transformative support to working children and their families.

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Mar 21, 2022
Report on education programme for working children

By Mohammed Sayem | Project leader

The pandemic has led to rising levels of unemployment amongst the poorest families in Bangladesh. As a result, more children than ever were sent to work instead of school to contribute to their family’s income. A recent joint study from the World Bank and United Nations agencies estimated that 1 out of every 10 girls in Bangladesh did not return to school as they reopened after the COVID-19 lock-downs. Instead, they worked long hours in high-risk physical occupations, often vulnerable to abuse.

UKBET’s purpose is to use education to radically change and improve the lives of working children and their families. UKBET teachers and fieldworkers bring teaching and learning to girls enslaved in domestic work, to boys in hazardous occupations as well as support for income generating to their families. In 2021 a new pilot programme was started teaching children found daily scouring rubbish tips as a way of earning money. The impact of UKBET’s programmes are significant. Working children learn to read, write, use numbers and take better care of themselves. Some return to school, others move into vocational training and safe employment. Families become self-sufficient or are referred to other agencies for support; all enjoy free healthcare. This report is a tribute to the participation and determination of these children and their families.

Doorstep learning programme for Girls in domestic work

Doorstep Learning brings basic education, healthcare and support to children forced to work as domestic servants due to family poverty. Our programme gives children access to education and support to move out of forced labour. It also helps end their family’s dependency on child labour

- 204 young girls and 152 of the families of working children, which in total is over 900 children and adult beneficiaries

- Schools were closed for much of 2021 but in the short time they were open, 48 out of 204 girls left work for school

- 51 younger siblings of working children broke the pattern of following their sisters into work and went to school instead

- 32 young women enrolled into vocational training as an important step towards a new and better future

- 5 awareness-raising programmes were organised for families and other local stakeholders highlighting children’s rights and the importance of education

- 30 micro-grants were awarded to help families generate a secure income and reduce or stop dependency on their working children

- 343 family members were supported to get COVID-19 vaccinations and arrangements made with Sylhet Corporation for UKBET children to be vaccinated.

Education & rehabilitation programme for Boys in hazardous work

Our Working Children's programme is for boys employed illegally in hazardous work. Fieldworkers persuade their parents and employers to allow the children to attend 90-minute sessions three times a week at one of our four community-based education centres in Sylhet.

- Over 200 working children attend every week and develop important literacy, numeracy and life skills. They are also given healthy food and access to healthcare.

- 207 children enrolled on UKBET's Working Children's programme 8 children left work for school

- 27 siblings enrolled at school rather than following their brothers into work

- 17 families were supported with micro-grants for small businesses

- 3 families received grants for medical support

- During Eid 2021 clothing and food parcels were distributed to 396 working children and their families.

Your donations make a profound impact to the futures of working children. No matter the amount, they are always much appreciated. In 2021 we were very grateful for donations from the following organisations and charitable trusts.

We are ambitious to reach many more of the millions of children working in exploitative and often hazardous situations. Internationally there are very few interventions that successfully provide learning and a route out of this slavery; with your help our project has now proved it can do both.

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