Alamin enrolls in school, stops collecting trash

Five-year-old Alamin roamed the city all day long with his mother and picked up trash from the streets. His mother Shainur, 30, did not have any dreams for her child. Alamin’s father Samma, 45, is a rickshaw puller and does not make enough money to support his family of five.

Alamin lives in Jessore city with his parents and two elder brothers, who are also engaged in child labour.

In January 2015, World Vision's Child Safety Net Project (CSNP) found Alamin collecting trash at a dump, carrying a large trash bag on his shoulder. 

One of World Vision staff members took him to the Child Friendly Space (CFS).

A new start

Since then, Alamin has regularly attended a CFS. When he started at the CFS school, he had no knowledge of the alphabet, numbers, or personal behavior and he did not have a birth registration.

The CSNP started teaching him pre-school education and some other creative subjects such as drawing, singing, etc. CSNP also provided counseling to Alamin’s parents and tried to make them aware about caregiving, parenting, the importance of schooling, cleanliness, hygiene, etc.

Alamin has learned Bengali and English alphabets. He can count and write numbers from 1 to 10 and now he is capable of writing his name too.

When Alamin was found, he was very dirty without clean clothing to wear. He was less responsive towards others and did not like to talk at all, but with the care of CSNP, many changes have happened in Alamin’s life. He dresses himself and tries to keep himself neat and clean. He enjoys drawing, singing, and playing with other children in the CFS.

Almin takes part in CFS activities.There were also some behavior changes with Alamin’s parents.

They are now very interested in providing Alamin school supports. They never thought about his education, but now Alamin’s mother regularly brings him to the CFS. The CSNP continues its support and care for Alamin and tries to prepare him for formal education.

Alamin’s father is very grateful to CSNP, he says, “Once CSNP asked me why I was not sending Alamin at school. I told Alamin knows nothing, same as us, we could not able to make him ready for formal education. Now Alamin has learned many things. I will not send him to pick up trash from the street, I will send him to school.”

Alamin is an example of the CSNP’s initiative towards positive change in children's lives. These types of changes are now happening in the lives of hundreds of children who are participating at a CFS for vulnerable children in the Southern parts of Bangladesh.

Story and photo : Child Safety Net Project,World Vision Bangladesh.