Project for children collecting garbage in Sylhet

Introduction

 This report highlights the transformative impact of UKBET's programme for education and empowerment of working children in Sylhet, Bangladesh, who struggle to survive by collecting waste materials in garbage dumps. The programme's key initiatives have been instrumental in creating positive change in the lives of these children.

Here is short documentary on the programme: https://youtu.be/HV9jTocsqdo

 Impact of support 

Through your generous support, UKBET's programme provides numeracy, literacy, and life skills sessions to these school dropout, vulnerable children who don’t have access to education. Fieldworkers ensure regular attendance at nearby learning centres, offering hope for a brighter future.

 Key initiatives 

Enrolment of children: 58 children now attend regular sessions at our UKBET learning centre, receiving quality education and essential support for returning to school or joining vocational training.

 Progression to mainstream education or vocational training: 20 children have transitioned to mainstream education or vocational training, breaking free from child labour.

 Immediate recruitment of progressed children: As 20 children progress, another 20 are promptly recruited into the programme, maintaining the cycle of positive impact.

 Impact on family income: The Family Future Programme's micro grant initiative raises the income of 16 families with working children, breaking the cycle of poverty and child labour.

 Mind-set change through community awareness programmes: Community-based awareness events foster a positive mind-set change and support for the children.

 Story of Sorif (not real name) 

14 years old Serif (Not real name) collects various items from the waste dump and sells them, as he must support his family. He had to drop out of school but was later enrolled in an NGO-run school, which unfortunately closed down. Currently, he attends the UKBET learning centre three days a week. His father used to sell shoes from a mobile cart, but the catastrophic flood of 2022 devastated his capital. Thankfully, UKBET’s programme provided financial support, enabling him to resume his business. Sorif (Not real name) regularly attends the UKBET learning centre, and his teacher has planned to enrol him in a vocational training programme in the future.

 We need your continued support 

Your steadfast commitment has touched countless lives, creating hope and opportunity.

Project for children collecting garbage in Sylhet - GlobalGiving 

Please consider continuing your support and spreading the word to empower even more children. 

Links:

• https://youtu.be/HV9jTocsqdo

In Bangladesh's urban areas around 400,000 people, mostly women and children, survive by sorting and collecting waste materials at local garbage dumps. They work barehanded sorting paper, plastic, metal and glass and selling what they find to recycling centres.  UKBET is running a project with children working on dumps in Sylhet. The programme provides numeracy, literacy and life skills sessions at learning centres near waste hotspots. Fieldworkers liaise with the parents and encourage children to attend classes three times a week.

Total enrolment = 58 with 70% regular attendance rate 

School admission = 20

Siblings Students Admission= 9

Family Support= 16

Joined Non-hazardous Job= 4

Case study:

Since he stopped studying two years ago due to the pandemic, Jakaria Ahmed's (Not real name) life has been a constant struggle. He had turned to collect bottles to sell in a shop because his family had no reliable source of income. His living circumstances were not ideal, and he frequently experienced illness. He occasionally even had to sleep close to trash cans. One day our Kadamtali Centre team came across Jakarta(Not real name) and visited his family. After speaking with his family, they were able to secure his admission to the UKBET learning centre. For supporting their family income, UKBET agreed to support them with a grant. From the next day, Jakaria (Not real name) stopped collecting waste materials and started to come to our centre regularly. It didn't take long before he began to excel in his studies, propelled by the help and motivation of his peers and teachers. Everyone around Jakaria (Not real name) could see his renewed enthusiasm for learning. His teachers are very much excited to see his achievements in the centre, and they are very hopeful that Jakaria (Not real name) will get admission to formal schooling next year.