THE EDGE IN BANGLADESH
Slum dwelling Bangladeshi and Rohingya children are cut off from education and the chance to enjoy their childhoods.
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In Bangladesh, poverty is at a level where there are as many as 3.45 million working children. The magnitude, longevity and escalation of the Rohingya refugee crisis has also placed an additional burden on host communities. Slum dwelling children in Cox’s Bazar face financial and practical barriers to attending mainstream school and commonly have to work to contribute to the income of their families. Faced with harassment, lack of opportunities, and the threat of deportation, many Rohingya have moved inland from the heavily-monitored border to ‘enclave communities’ in the Doharazi area. Children here are entirely cut off from basic services. Children in both Cox's Bazar and the Doharazi enclaves are in danger of exploitation, trafficking and growing up without any chance of an education. |
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WHAT WE ARE DOING TO HELP
Flexible education and support for 1,400 slum dwelling children in Cox's Bazar and Doharazi Enclave Communities.
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Together with our partner Mukti, we deliver a quality curriculum in colourful classrooms for slum dwelling children who cannot access mainstream education. Teachers are trained from within the communities and flexibly timed classes enable access for working children.
Daily digital lessons bring learning alive and the government approved curriculum is augmented with a focus on rights and creativity. A day a week is set aside for play, self expression and the care of beautiful gardens that surround each centre. Children express their views, shape the project and influence their communities through Child Councils. The latest exciting addition has been the creation of 'Moja Kids', their own online platform where they record video newsletters and share them back and forth with Rohingya children in the Kutupalong camp. The centres are enthusiastically supported by local communities and government officials. Their development over ten years has lead to the creation of a best practice model, which is used to maintain standards in our work with Rohingya refugee children. |
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CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE
Covid-19 lockdown procedures are having a devastating effect on the slum dwelling communities we support in Bangladesh. Through 30 years of working with some of the most marginalised groups, we know they are always the hardest hit in times such as these.
Together with our local partners we have been pursuing sensible solutions to contain the outbreak and provide essential supply parcels to those most in need. Wherever possible, we are using creative solutions to enable children's learning to continue amidst widespread restrictions, and to ensure they are safe whilst they are cut off from regular protection services.
Together with our local partners we have been pursuing sensible solutions to contain the outbreak and provide essential supply parcels to those most in need. Wherever possible, we are using creative solutions to enable children's learning to continue amidst widespread restrictions, and to ensure they are safe whilst they are cut off from regular protection services.
