The pandemic has led to rising levels of unemployment amongst the poorest families in Bangladesh. As a result, more children than ever were sent to work instead of school to contribute to their family’s income. A recent joint study from the World Bank and United Nations agencies estimated that 1 out of every 10 girls in Bangladesh did not return to school as they reopened after the COVID-19 lock-downs. Instead, they worked long hours in high-risk physical occupations, often vulnerable to abuse.
2021 did not start well for the charity. In January the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office deferred, and subsequently cancelled, an approved grant of £50,000 over two years as part of the UK government’s reductions in Overseas Aid.
The cut to UKBET’s budget threatened the future of the charity. We immediately launched an appeal and extraordinarily, thanks to new friends and old, raised sufficient funds to continue our work throughout 2021 and into 2022. In 2021 we also started a new pilot programme teaching children found daily scouring rubbish tips as a way of earning money.
UKBET’s purpose is to use education to radically change and improve the lives of working children and their families. UKBET teachers and fieldworkers bring teaching and learning to girls enslaved in domestic work, to boys in hazardous occupations as well as support for income generating to their families. In 2021 a new pilot programme was started teaching children found daily scouring rubbish tips as a way of earning money. The impact of UKBET’s programmes are significant. Working children learn to read, write, use numbers and take better care of themselves. Some return to school, others move into vocational training and safe employment. Families become self-sufficient or are referred to other agencies for support; all enjoy free healthcare. This report is a tribute to the participation and determination of these children and their families.
Finally, the report also offers an insight into the work of our team in Sylhet led by the Director, Md. Sayem. It is their commitment, skills, experience and knowledge that makes the difference – and allows a small charity like UKBET to punch well above its weight.
Annette Zera
Chair of Trustees
If you have any questions please do email us at info@ukbet-bd.org. If you would like to support our work then please do consider donating or sharing our project news with your friends and family.