Working Children
Bangladesh is one of the world’s poorest and most densely-populated countries.  Poverty in Bangladesh is deep and widespread: almost half the population lives on less than $1 a day. According to UNICEF, 26.5 million Bangladeshi children live below the national poverty line, 33 million below the international poverty line.

Consequently the plight of poor families in Bangladesh is desperate and access to basic essentials is scarce. UNICEF estimates that over 5 million children between 5 and 14 years old are sent out to work, often in dangerous conditions, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.  

Rohingya

Complicating this picture is the arrival of hundreds of thousands of Burmese Muslim refugees, who have been pouring over the border from Burma since 1978, fleeing state persecution.

The Rohingya languish in both official and unregistered camps in the south-eastern Cox's Bazar district. The Bangladeshi authorities have refused to consider all but a tiny number as refugees. Arbitrary arrest and expulsion have effectively quarantined tens of thousands of Rohingya in squalid conditions in make-shift camps with raw sewage and a lack of clean water. Because of fear of deportation back to Burma many refugees are fearful of leaving these camps to find work to buy food for their families.

Children on the Edge is working to establish education schemes and facilities for both the Rohingya children and the local Bangladeshi children, and researching how best to help a child nutrition crisis.

Freedom to play, freedom to be 'children': this is the future being offered to dozens of child workers in deep south-eastern Bangladesh.

Cox’s Bazar tourist beach is an area of outstanding natural beauty, yet it is ravaged by extreme poverty. As a result, rather than learning or playing,  Rohingya and Bangladeshi children need to work to support their families. They work in the fish markets, or along the coast line selling shell bracelets and catching prawns. Working children have little chance to enjoy the opportunities that should be inherent in childhood.

Children on the Edge believes these children deserve to have a childhood. That is why we support three Learning Centres specifically set up to help children who work the Cox’s Bazar beach area.

300 young workers attend the centres for two to three hours a day. Here they receive a nutritious meal, attend lessons, freshen up with a wash and have the chance to play and rest with their friends.  Through these activities the project actively encourages positive integration between Bangladeshi and Rohingya children. 

Of course we don't believe children should have to work, but with the levels of poverty being so severe families have little choice. Sometimes the money earned by these children is the only income they will see. With our Learning Centres children can help their families without entirely missing out on their education. Our aim is to give those children a few hours each day where they can focus on being a 'child' again; to play and learn without the harsh pressures of outside life.