Chalantika Stories
Sajib: Pulling plastic from the canal to build his own boat
Nine-year-old Sajib did not go to school. To help his grandmother feed the family, he collected plastics and other recyclable waste. When he noticed that most of the plastic was floating in the water beneath the slum, where he could not reach it easily, he and a friend built a boat from the waste they had collected. Today, Sajib has been given a chance to change the course of his life – he goes to school and dreams of becoming a manager one day.
Read the full story
Sharmin: I want to learn. Please accept me.
One day, ten-year-old Sharmin came to the Chalantika Education Centre in Dhaka on her own. She stopped at the door, watched what was happening inside for a moment, and then took a step forward. She crossed the threshold and said to the teacher: “I want to learn. Please accept me.”
Read the full story
Hasan: When I grow up, I will catch all the thieves
‘When I was little, someone stole our new clothes at home. I was really angry because we didn't have money to buy more. When I grow up, I'm going to catch all the thieves so they can't steal anything anymore,’ says eight-year-old Hasan, whose biggest wish is to become a police officer. His childhood dream can come true because, unlike his parents, he has been given the chance to go to school.
Read the full story
Moriyam: Could I have a larger hoodie?
“I already have some warm clothes. But my mother leaves for work very early in the morning and she gets cold. I would like her to have something warm to wear,” said ten-year-old Moriyam when winter clothes were being handed out at the Chalantika Centre. Even at just ten years old, she thinks of others first. Thanks to her education at the centre, she is gaining confidence and taking steps towards her dream of becoming a police officer.
Read the full story
Ibrahim: A doctor or 14 hours at the market for €0.15 an hour?
Sixteen-year-old Ibrahim dreams of becoming a doctor, but instead works 14 hours a day at a vegetable market to support his family. Despite the hardship, he hasn't given up hope of returning to school and pursuing his dream.
Read the full story
Rabu: I used to be afraid. Now I know I can make it
At 38, Rabu learned to write her own name for the first time. Today, she runs her own stall and can better provide for her children. Thanks to education, new skills, and support, she gained what she lacked in childhood – the chance to take her life into her own hands.
Read the full story
Bellal
Do you know Arabic? I don’t and neither does Bellal — except that his name means “refreshing.” He has two sisters – Jasmin (14) and Selina (6). Their father died two years ago. Bellal’s mummy worked in a textile factory before she became pregnant and needed to stay home. Now only his older sister Jasmin works in the factory. Full story...
Bonna
Bonna’s childhood is miles apart from the childhood that most children in our country experience. Her parents sold her shortly after her birth. Many parents in Bangladesh are so poor that they aren’t able to look after their newborn baby, and so they sell it, hoping that it will be better off elsewhere. Bangladeshi girls are often sold for a particular sum for work or prostitution, or they are married to those who are willing to pay. Full story...
Ismail
Bangladeshi children living in slums often miss out on their childhood as they follow duties set up by adults from an early age. No matter what conditions the children grow up in, they still have their dreams. One of them is Ismail. Full story...
Nur
The childhood of now sever-year old Nur had been far from the ordinary childhood of the majority of Czech children. His family had lived in poor conditions in Bangladeshi metropolis Dhaka. The situation worsened further when his father brought in his new wife and he stopped looking after Nur and his mother Maina. Full story...
