Street children's future

The rubbish dump that we have in Demra on the east of Dhaka is where one can find most of the street children. The stench that comes from the dump is overwhelming and as one goes nearer one feels like vomiting! It is difficult to believe that anybody can survive in this environment. But every morning groups of children walk across this vast mound of rotting rubbish scavenging for used plastic bottles or similar rubbish. Then they sell these to nearby second hand shops for a small price. Around 20 children or more live in the dump. Most are orphans and some live with their families. They spend their whole day working in the dump looking for rubbish. While working in the streets they are also exposed to all sorts of dangers - from pimps to people involved in criminal activities, and as the numbers rise we are finding it increasingly difficult to help them reach their potential.

The situation here can only improve if the authorities realise that children have a right to be protected. So I fervently request the Bangladesh government and the NGOs in our country to help these children for a better life and a better future.