Aid Program Report 2002 The assistance from the Think the Earth Project was again used for the "Dhaka Street Children Assistance Activity." According to the statistics provided by the government of Bangladesh, the street children in its capital, Dhaka, number 330,000. Taking on board Aparajeyo Bangladesh, a local NGO with experience in assisting street children as its partner, Shaplaneer defined and conducted a three year term beginning from September 2000 to March 2003, as the initial phase of the assistance activities. Activities have been implemented as the second phase of the project for the next three year term beginning from April 2003. This project aims to augment the lives of street children living in the Saidabad and Jatrabari district located in the southeastern area of Dhaka. 2002 Performance Street Schools For children living on the streets, the street schools function as an entrance to encountering Aparajeyo Bangladesh. 6 days a week, 2 hour sessions in the mornings and in the afternoons are conducted to teach the children simple reading and riding, calculation skills, and health care, and the schools have become a center for children to help each other or think about social contribution. Through this entrance, SCJ hopes that the children will learn to trust the Aparajeyo Bangladesh staff and to establish a relationship of trust with them. Moreover, in order to continue to have children focus on school, the staff tries through trial and error to create an enjoyable class. Drop in centre Drop in centre is open from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm 7 days a week. From July 2002, Night Shelter have also become available. There are many shops around the shelter that sell bananas and rice and there is even a fish market nearby; the children who work at these places mainly make use of the shelter. It is planned to offer food to children at the Night Shelter beginning from 2003. There are cases where children who attend street schools move closer in order to use the Drop in centre. 2002 Performance Contacts with the Street Children Shaplaneer interviewed a gross total of 657 children in 2002 (of which 13 had just arrived in Dhaka and begun their lives as street children). 419 children, approximately 60% of the total interviewed, began to use the services provided by the Street Schools and Drop in centre in some shape or form. The annual total of the children who used (registered) the Street Schools was 794 (574 boys, 220 girls); the total of children registered at the Drop in centre was 1151 (832 boys, 319 girls). 34 children used Night Shelter (28 boys, 6 girls). _The above are the actual gross total of the children who registered. There may be a difference in the figures for 2001 since the annual figures indicated for 2001 were merely gross numbers. Opportunities for Education At the schools and centre, Shaplaneer provides a place for education for all street children. 116 children per day on average participate in classes offering simple reading and writing skills, health knowledge, and music and art. As a part of the educational program, Shaplaneer conducts tests and apply such results as decision making materials for whether these children have achieve the educational level necessary to move on to the next level. However, Shaplaneer takes each children's circumstances in to consideration, does not place importance on taking the test or the results of such tests. Motivation and Counseling Because they were forced to leave their homes for one reason or another, or because they have met abuse on the streets, the children who live on the streets have traumas, and begin to distrust society and adults. In order to provide counseling and motivation, Shaplaneer creates a file for each child, indicating case history, their health, progress in education, and changes in behavior, keeping a record and storing such files. Moreover, "Group Motivation" which aims to learn about the social standards or how each child is a responsible part within society, through discussions is also important. ---Through such activities, the following changes may be observed among the children. l Their behaviors have become calmer, and they have begun to have positive thoughts about the future or living in the society. l Use of drugs or violence has decreased. l Children have begun to participate in educational activities in the centers on a daily basis, and have also begun to obey center rules. l The number of children involved in Street Schools and Drop in centre have increased. l They have begun to develop a consciousness in respect to "rights" and have begun to learn to stand firm against adults who try to take advantage of them. Cooperation with the Regional People Bangladesh, where a citizen's rights, such as social security rights, freedom of speech, and the right to have access to education and health and medical care for even adults is not protected, general regard for human rights is insufficient; thus there are not many who show an understanding for the rights of children. The Aparajeyo Bangladesh staff has secured opportunities to regularly communicate with the people of the region to ask for their understanding in respect to a child's rights and for street children. As a result, cases where adults exploit children have significantly decrease and the police have begun to cooperate with the Aparajeyo staff; the environment surrounding the street children have greatly changed. Participation of Children Once every month, Shaplaneer has set aside a day where children may experience the roles of the staff and teachers, and meetings by children are held. Moreover, workshops which aim for children to protect themselves from the harms of drugs or improve their working conditions are held. Additionally, an arbitration committee to solve problems arising among children on children's own, and child banks to store the children's money has been established. Recreational Activities For street children who have little to amuse themselves with ordinarily, Shaplaneer plans recreational activities. Shaplaneer conducts cultural programs and art contest on holidays such as the independence day, Bengali new year, and Eid after a fasting period. Shaplaneer provides opportunities for outdoor excursions, picnics, movies twice a week, music and acting classes. Health and Medicine 9344 people in gross figures make use of first aid treatment annually, of which 56 received medical care in clinics and 2 were sent to large hospitals. Moreover, disinfestations of parasites and health education such as on sex education, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS are conducted for adolescents are provided. 2002 Project Expenses Total Operating Expenses JPY 5,196,680- Of the above, JPY 677,828- was necessary for the Shaplaneer management and operation expenses and the rest was used by the Aparajeyo as project operation expense. On August 2003, the Think the Earth staff went to Bangladesh, to actually observe the activities of the street children assistance. Please refer to Earth Report #12, "Learning beyond national borders@ Bangladesh" for details. Activities at a Glance Children gathered at the Drop in centre. Peaceful sleep at the Drop in centre. Children cooking at the Drop in centre. In order to make low cost and highly nutritious meals, the children bring and contribute cooking ingredients. Classes at the Street Schools A picnic is a thrilling event for children who have little to amuse themselves with. >>> Back to "Shapla Neer" page