Approval Letter

This is to certify that Rimon Paul bearing Reg. No. 2011237073 of B.S.S Department of Public
Administration is a 4th year 1st semester student of the department of Public Administration,
Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, has prepared a term paper on " The
Social Life of Street Children: A Study on Sylhet City" under my guidance and supervision.

I have supervised him from very beginning to the end of the research. Now I am permitting him
to submit it to the Department of Public Administration, SUST.

I wish him all the best in his endeavor.

Mrs. kanij Fatema

Assistant Professor
Department of Public Administration
Shahjalal University of Science and Technology

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Table of Content
Chapters Title Pages
Approval Letter
Abstract
CHAPTER ONE 1.1 Introduction 4
1.2 Statement of the problem 4
1.3 Objectives of the study 4-5
1.4 Rational of the study 5
1.5 Research question 5

CHAPTER TWO 2.1 Review of relevant literature 6-7

CHAPTER THREE 3.0 Methodology of the study 8

3.1 Population and sample 8
3.2 Sampling 8
3.3 Data collection technique 8
3.4 Study area 8
3.5 Sources of data collection 8
3.6 Primary sources 9
3.7 Secondary sources 9
3.8 Data presentation and analysis 9
3.9 Conceptual framework 9-10

CHAPTER FOUR 4.1 Operational definition 11-12

4.2 Definition of street children 12-13
4.3 Laws related to the street children in 13
Bangladesh

CHAPTER FIVE 5.1 Data presentation and analysis 14-33

CHAPTER SIX 6.1 Findings and discussion 34

6.2 Study findings 34
6.3 Discussion 34-35

CHAPTER SEVEN 7.1 Limitation of the study 36

7.2 Recommendation 36
7.3 Conclusion 36

References 37
Appendix 38-40

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Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of street life on the social problem of street
children who live and work full-time on the streets of sylhet. For this, the study used survey
design to collect data from purposively selected 300 samples of street children aged between 6 to
17 years in different places of Sylhet city. In the society, they are neglected every where even in
their families. Everybody sees them on the street to collect scrap papers, plastics and other
materials but no one wants no their such pathetic life learning strategies. The paper found that
they are socially abhorred and economically lagged behind. They sleep on the street, rail way
station, bus stop and other places. In consequence, there is no life security of the street children.
All of the examinee children have dreams to be great one day. If nobody comes to help them,
their dreams will be only dream and never will come to light. The study concludes that realistic
steps are needed for improving the condition of street children with collaboration of GO and
NGOs.

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CHAPTER-1
1.1 Introduction:

Children are the heart of social development and their wellbeing transform into the development
of a nation. Unfortunately, in the present civilized world, a huge number of children are still
living on streets, and notably on the streets of Bangladesh. Most infuriatingly, there are rising
number of children living in street situation in the urban areas of the country. It is a major social
concern that the children who work on the street may become involve in scavenging, begging,
hawking, prostitution or theft to aid their basic survival which ultimately creates problem as
children living in street situations are an increasing phenomenon in both developing and
economically advanced countries. in our country, street children lead so miserable and tormented
lives plagued by serious physical and psycho-social problems. This paper, however, attempts to
explore the lives and livelihoods of the children living in street situation in Dhaka city
highlighting their lifestyle, housing pattern, works and income, health status, food habit along
with the recreational facilities they have. Moreover, it also discloses the problems they regularly
face, the social support they get together with their future orientation.

In fact, street children are deprived of all sorts of child right. It is a matter of great regret.
Today’s children are the future of tomorrow. Since they create the world of tomorrow, they are at
the heart of social development, so all of us including the government should take necessary
steps so that they can enjoy their legal rights.

1.2 Statement of the problem:

Children in Bangladesh have to face many challenges. In Bangladesh over 40 million people are
living below the poverty line and most of these families do not have own land. They are living
and farming in flood-prone areas and face yearly natural disasters, inefficient agricultural
technologies, low education, a polluted environment. These families did not get proper health
services and is in limited employment. Undernourishment is the common issue for the children.
50 percent of children under age 5 are undernourishment. Children are facing imperative
problem with schooling. Very small percent of them complete their primary education. Among
them only 40 percent girls complete their primary education. In this situation it is a problem in
not only social level but also national and international level. The number of street children is
increasing tremendously in Bangladesh. So, this point may be an important issue of research
work so that the ways and means may be found to provide them in the society and their increase
may be controlled and one day stopped.

1.3 Objectives of the study:

General Objective:

Produce a document on the basis of the social life of street children of the 'sylhet city and
recommend the most effective way to maximize benefits from limited resources of NGO and
government.

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Specific Objective:

1. To give an overview of the social background of the street children in some selected places of
Sylhet city.

2. To study the nature and extent of the problems of street children and to assess the needs of
street children for their growth and development.

4. To develop necessary policy recommendation for the effective interventions of government.

1.4 Rational of the study:

Children are the heart of social development and future of a nation. The overall development of a
country cannot possible by ignoring the large number of street children. Street children are not
aware of their child right and they are deprived of all sorts of rights. Many street children
engaging in different kind of anti social of activities like theft, drug selling etc. Many people also
use street children for their own purpose. Sometimes they engaged criminal activities without
knowing. Gradually they become the threat for the social security. Most of the street children
take different kind of drug. So child right should be ensure among street children. In this paper
the social life of street children mainly focus. Here also proposed some recommendations for the
government and NGOs. To take the effective measure it's important to know about the social life
of them. That's why I find it important to study about the social life of street children.

1.5 Research question:

 What is the social background of the street children?

 What problem faced by the street children in their daily life?
 What is necessary for the street children growth and development?
 Does government initiative enough for the street children development?

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 CHAPTER-2
2.1 Review of Relevant Literature:

Dr. Md Sekendar Ali (2012) conducted a study on street children and their socio economic
background. According to him, the paper mainly deals with the street children and their socio
economic background in Bangladesh. In this respect the socio-economic background of the street
children has been examined. Rajshahi city has been selected as the Area of this study. 1800 street
children were found on the street by searching about one month. In the society, they are
neglected every where even in their families. Everybody sees them on the street to collect scrap
papers, plastics and other materials but no one wants no their such pathetic life learning
strategies. The paper found that they are socially abhorred and economically lagged behind.
They sleep on the street, rail way station, bus stop and other places. In consequence, there is no
life security of the street children.

Imran ali meerza (2011) published a paper on socio economic condition of child labor. This
study mainly focuses on the current socio-economic condition of those people who were child
labor in their childhood. In this study, economic indicators are income and employment status.
On the other hand, level of education, health status and role in case of decision making in the
society are studied as social indicators. According to this study, socio-economic condition of
child workers in their adulthood is not very satisfactory. This research work have used Linear
Probability Model (LPM) and Weighted Least Square (WLS) regression analysis to make
comparison of current socio-economic status between people who were child labor in their
childhood and those who were not child worker in past.

Md. Abdul Hai (2014) conducted a study on problem faced by street children in some places of
Dhaka city only. The aim of this study was to shed light on the predicaments of the street
children in their street life, their coping mechanism in response to innumerable problems and
survival status. Pondering the gravity of the research topic qualitative method with the
juxtaposition of FGDs (focus group discussion) and case studies was employed to generate
descriptive data. With the organizational support of Underprivileged Children's Educational
Programs (UCEP) 4 FGDs were administered on a total respondent size of 74 beneficiary and
non-beneficiary street children in Mirpur and Lalbagh areas in the Dhaka city of Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, 9 case studies were conducted that gave extra flavour in the research to present more
vivid and cross-checked data.

Neera Fahria Subarna, Amit Kumar Biswas, Md. Kayum Shikdar, Abir Hassan (2014) conducted
a study on social life of street children in Khulna city, Bangladesh. According to them, The
purpose of this study was to assess the effect of street life on the sociopsychological problem of
street children who live and work full-time on the streets of Khulna, Bangladesh. For this, the
study used survey design to collect data from purposively selected 150 samples of street children
aged between 6 to 17 years in Khulna City of Bangladesh. The findings of the study explicate
that the street children face harsh reality and are deprived of the basic necessities of life. The
study found that a large number of street children (51.3%) lived in rail station. Most of them
(43.3% street children) are living alone that forced them engaging in work at early years of life.

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Shakila Nawaz published a paper on Development policies for street children in Bangladesh. She
gave special emphasize on the education related development policies. She said street children
are excluded from existing child rights facilities in Bangladesh. To examine the situation of
social exclusion of street children, this paper examined the development policies for children in
Bangladesh to understand how the existing policies can protect street children's rights and how
they could enjoy country's currently available facilities. It explored the linkage between
education programs, and child rights in Bangladesh. This paper formulated with street children
archive reports in Bangladesh and tried to find the suitable way for their social inclusion. And it
suggested education as the prior way for mainstreaming street children

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 CHAPTER-3

3.0 Methodology of the study:

This study has been conducted on the basis of the objectives of the studies and a combination of
methods have been used to collect relevant data. Survey design have been used in this study and
the approach of this study is both qualitative and quantitative.

3.1 Population and sample:

All the street children who belong to 6-17 of Railway station, New bridge point. Keen bridge
point, Kodomtoli bus stand, Shahjalal mazar Sylhet city are enumerated as population of the
study. Total 30 number of respondents chosen purposively for the study from this five places.
The financial and temporal constraints are the main reasons for selecting small sample size.

3.2 Sampling:

The respondents for the study were chosen using purposive sampling, which is a non-probability
sampling technique. In purposive sampling street, the participants for a study are handpick
according to some initially decided criteria, to serve the purpose of the particular study.

3.3 Data collection technique:

A semi-structured interview schedule having both open-end and closed-end question was
designed and developed for getting data from children. The participants mainly interviewed in
order to understand their current social status. This study was conducted on a sample that came
from lower socio-economic strata of society. The interview method enables one to reach out to
illiterate subjects who cannot read or write. It also gives the interviewer an opportunity to
observe non-verbal cues and reactions to specific questions.

3.4 Study area:

The study was carried out in some selected places of Sylhet City of Bangladesh. The study area
was purposively selected based on the presence of considerable number of street children who
belong to age 6-17 year and the study areas are Railway station, New bridge point. Keen bridge
point, Kodomtoli bus stand, Shahjalal mazar. In those places in Sylhet city most of the street
children can found.

3.5 Sources of data collection:

Data collection is one of the crucial requirement when is to conduct any research. Any types of
research are conducted on the based on collected information. Valid and reliable data and
information is necessary for conducting in this research. Data were collected from two sources

 Primary sources
 Secondary sources

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3.6 Primary sources:

Data has collected from individual through face to face interview by using a set of questionnaires
and respondents answers were recorded by writing them down in interview structure
questionnaire have used. The questionnaires were framed by using both close and open ended
question.

3.7 Secondary sources:

Secondary sources of data have been used to develop. This study secondary sources are
appropriate us the basic source of evidence for a study. Secondary data were also collected from
different sources, such as project documents, annual reports Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics etc.
Review of relevant documents/reports of the identified Government Department, International
and National NGO on Street Children.

3.8 Data processing and analysis:

Collected data were characteristically classified and then statistical method was apply on them.
Quantitative data have been present the table and showed the response in percentage the data of
tables is then discuss. Qualitative data have also been analysis and discuss in this research. Data
were analyzed by using computer software program like SPSS.

3.9 Conceptual framework:

The concept of Most Vulnerable Children on the Street seems to be complicated rather
perplexing. The presence of street children in Bangladesh is a symptomatic of under
development. This paper is based on few basic concepts term, which have been discuss to
develop and analyze the research questions and objectives of the study of this investigation. The
conceptual framework presented the relationship between the specific concepts which have been
studied. This framework is constructed on the basis of objectives, research question and literature
review. There are two type of variables one is independent and other is dependent. The
relationship between those variable are as follows-

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 Dependant Variable Independent variable

 Night Shelter
 Sources of Water
 Frequency of Taking
Shower
 Use of Toilet
 Food Habit
  Clothing

The Social life of Street
Means of survival

Children
Income, Expenditure,
Saving
 Healthcare
 Education
 Abuse
 Recreational Activities

Fig: conceptual framework of varibles

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 CHAPTER-4
4.1 Operational Definition:

i. Night shelter:

Street children feel comport to live wherever there is a possibility of find food and income. Most
of them have no permanent place to live and sleep. Night shelter is a place where street children
live and sleep in live.

ii. Sources of water:

Street children mainly use drinking water from different sources like footpath, restaurant, tea
stalls etc. They use pond and river water for bathing and washing cloth. From where street
children use water are the sources of water.

iii. Frequency of taking shower:

Street children mainly take shower depend on the availability of water. For this they cannot take
shower every day. The number of taking shower is the frequency of taking shower.

iv. Use of toilet:

They use different location for the toilet purpose. Mainly they choose the roadside early in the
morning for toilet. Where they use toilet is the use of toilet.

v. Food habit:

Since most of the street children from lower economic strata they cannot take healthy food. The
number of meal taking in a day also mean by food habit.

vi. Clothing:

Most of the street children do not have sufficient cloth and have torn, dirty cloth. For this they
repeatedly use same cloth.

vii. Means of survival:

Street children have experience on critical situation. They mainly engaged in informal
occupation. Sometimes they have to do unpaid work. Here mainly occupation is indicate by the
means of survival.

viii. Income, expenditure, saving:

Street children have to income for their struggle in life. Some of the street children had to
maintain and support their family member with their little earning. They have lack of surplus
where they have to struggle for fulfill their basic needs.
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ix. Healthcare:

Street children are not concerned about their health care because they are busy fighting with life.
For treatment purpose the beneficiary street children generally get minimum medical facilities.
various disease faced by street children and the treatment are indicate by healthcare.

x. Education:

Most of the street children take informal education provided by the government and various
NGOs. The educational status of the street children mainly focus by the education.

xi. Abuse:

Street children faces different kind of oral or verbal harassment. Sometimes they were physically
abuse by the police. Oral or verbal harassment is mean by the abuse.

xii. Recreational activities:

All the human beings needs some recreational activities. They see television by standing on the
roadside. The recreational activities done by the street children mean here by recreational
activities.

4.2 Definition of Street Children:

The concept of street children is associated with the age of children, their living arrangement and
working place. Different laws in Bangladesh lay down minimum a range of age for child. For
example, minimum age for working children in a shops and other commercial establishment is
up to 12 years, for factories 14 years and for railways 15 years (UNICEF, 1997). Considering the
different age limit for defining a child in various status in Bangladesh, the National Children
Policy, 1994 provides street children are young people who spend considerable time living or
and working in the street of the urban areas.

The most common definition of a street child or youth is ‘’any girl or boy who has not reached
adulthood, for whom the street (in the broadest sense of the word, including unoccupied
dwelling, wasteland etc.) has become her or his habitual adobe and/or sources of livelihood, and
who is inadequately protected, supervised or directed by responsible adults’’ (Inter-NGO,1985).
This definition was formulated by the Inter-NGOs in Switzerland in 1983.

Pandey, R,(1993) defines street children as, “A street child is any minor for whom the street (in
the widest sense of the word, including unoccupied dwellings, wasteland, etc.) has become
his/her habitual abode and who is without adequate protection.”

Rao, BVR and B. and Mallik (1992) defined ‘street children as those who spend their days and
nights on the streets or in the public places’. They argued that all street children are not
abandoned or declined with their families. They classified them as:

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a) Children of the street: who spend their total time on the streets and have occasional family
contacts. For them the street is their home. They have not abandoned their families nor have their
families abandoned them.

b) Children on the street: who spend most of their time on the streets and maintain contact with
their families. They spend most nights with their families and work on the streets with or under
the supervision of employers inside or outside their family.

However, the operational definitions of the most vulnerable children on the street considered as
follows;
i) Children up to 18 years of age who work / live on the street day and night without their family;
ii) Children up to 18 years of age who work / live on the street with their family;
iii) Children up to 18 years of age who work / live on the street and return to other family;
and
iv) Children up to 18 years of age who work / live on the street and return to other family.

4.3 Laws related to the street children in Bangladesh:

The laws that constitute the juvenile justice system includes:

 The Children Act, 1974 which constitutes both procedural and substantive components
including juvenile courts and components of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898.

 The Children Rules 1976.

 The Bengal Vagrancy Act, 1943 which permits the police to detain “ vagrants’
under which definition street children commonly fall.

 The Penal Code 1860, lays down a minimum age of criminal responsibility for children.
The relevant provisions state that no act of a child under the age of seven can constitute a
crime. (Chowdhury,2012).

CHAPTER-5

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5.1 Data presentation and analysis:
Table-1

Gender of the respondents

Gender Number of respondent Percentage

Male 23 76.67%
Female 07 23.33%
Total 30 100%

Table-1 shows that male respondent were found 76.67% and female respondents were found
23.33% under the study. The maximum respondent (76.67%) were found male.

Detail information is presented in diagram

Gender

23.33%
Male
Female

76.67%

Fig: Gender of the respondents

Table-2

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 Age distribution of the respondents

Age(years) Number of respondents Percentage

6-9 06 20%
10-13 13 43.33%
14-17 11 36.67%
Total 30 100%

Table- 2 shows that age level of the respondent found 6-9 yrs 20%, 10-13 yrs 43.33%, 14-17 yrs
36.67% under the study. The maximum age level (43.33)was found 10-13 yrs.

Detail information is presented in diagram

Age distribution

20%
36.67%
6-9 yrs
10-13 yrs

43.33%

Fig: Age distribution of the respondents

Table-3

Educational status of the respondents

Educational status Number of respondents Percentage

Illiterate 21 70%
Able to read and write 04 13.33%
Primary 02 6.67%
Others 03 10%
Total 30 100%

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Table-3 shows that educational status of the respondents found illiterate 70%, able to read and
write 13.33%, primary 6.67%, others 10% under the study. The maximum respondents(70%)
found are illiterate.

Detail information is presented in diagram

Educatinal status of the respondents

13.33% Illiterate
10%
Able to read and write
16.67%
Primary
70% 6.67% Others

Fig: Educational status of the respondents

Table-4

Number of family member

Number of family member Number of respondents Percentage

2-5 12 40%

6-9 16 53.33%

10-13 02 6.67%

Total 30 100%

Table- 4 shows that number of family member found 2-5 40%, 6-9 53.33%, 10-13 6.67% and
above 13 is 0 found under this study. The maximum number of respondents(53.33%) are found
6-9.

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Detail information is presented in diagram

Number of family member

6.67%

40% 2-5 mem

6-9 mem
10-13 mem

53.33%

Fig: Number of family member

Table-5

Currently living place

Living place Number of respondents Percentage

Railway station 11 36.67%

Under Keen Bridge 04 13.33%
Under New Bridge 03 10%
Kodomtoli bus stand 05 16.67%
Shahjalal mazar 07 23.33%
Total 30 100%

Table- 5 shows that currently living place of respondents were found 36.67% in Railway station,
13.33% in Under keen bridge, 10% in under new bridge, 16.67% in kodomtoli bus stand and
23.33% in Shahjalal mazar. The maximum number of respondents (36.67%) were found to live
in railway station.

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Detail information is presented in diagram

Current living place

23.33%
36.67%
Railway station
Under keen bridge
16.67% Under new bridge
Kodomtoli bus stand
10% 13.33%
Shahjalal mazar

Fig: Currently living place

Table-6

Migration from another city

Migration Number of respondent Percentage

Yes 11 36.67%
No 19 63.33%
Total 30 100%

Table-6 shows that migrant from another city are found 36.67% and 63.33% respondents are the
local of Sylhet city under the study. The maximum respondents birthplace in Sylhet.

The respondent who said yes they gave various reason to come sylhet from their home town.
Most of the respondent said they came for the economic reason and for search of livelihood.
Some of respondents also gave reason of no house or shelter. Some said their parents have
separation. either their mother married with someone else or father with someone else. Because
of separation they came in sylhet. And some respondents keep quiet when ask this question and
some respondent didn't know why they came in sylhet.

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Detail information is presented in diagram

Migration

36.67% Yes
No

63.33%

Fig: Migration from another city

Table-7

Currently living with

Living with Number of respondents Percentage

Both parents 07 23.33%
Only father 02 6.67%
Only mother 05 16.67%
Alone 07 23.33%
Others 09 30%
Total 30 100%

Table- 7 shows that currently living with respondents were found 23.33% living with both
parents, 6.67% with only father, 16.67% with only mother, 23.33% alone and 30% with others
under this study. The maximum respondent (30%) living with others.

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Detail information is presented in diagram

Others
30%

Alone
23.33%

Only mother
16.67%

Only father
6.67%

Both parents
23.33%

0.00% 5.00% 10.00% 15.00% 20.00% 25.00% 30.00% 35.00%

Fig: Currently living with

Table- 8

Occupational status of the respondents

Occupation Number of respondents Percentage

Yes 22 73.33%
No 08 26.67%
Total 30 100%

Table-8 shows that occupational status of the respondents were found 73.33% yes and 26.67%
no under this study. The maximum number of respondents(73.33%) have occupation.

The respondent who said yes they have different types of occupation. Most of the respondents
said they used to begging in the street. Some other respondents selling newspaper. and some of
respondents collect thing from dustbin and sell this. Locally people call them as Tokai. With
their little earning they have to contribute in their family.

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Detail information is presented in diagram

Occupational status

26.67%
Yes
No

73.33%

Fig: Occupational status of the respondents

Table- 09

Number of times respondent can eat in a day

Number of times Number of respondents Percentage

One time a day 04 13.33%
Twice a day 17 56.67%
Three times a day sometimes 09 30%
Total 30 100%

Table-09 shows that number of times respondents can eat in a day were found 13.33% one time a
day, 56.67% twice a day, 30% three times a day sometimes under this study. The maximum
number of respondents(56.67%) eat twice in a day.

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Detail information is presented in diagram

60.00%

50.00%

40.00%

30.00% 56.67%

20.00%
30%

10.00% 13.33%

0.00%
One time a day Twice a day Three times a day
sometimes

Fig: Number of times respondent can in a day

Table-10

Eating nutritious food

Nutritious food Number of respondents .Percentage

Yes 04 13.33%
No 26 86.67%
Total 30 100%
Table 10 shows that eating healthy food of the respondents were found 13.33% and 86.67% no.
Due to financial problem most of the respondent cannot afford nutritious food.

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Detail information is presented in diagram

Nutritious food

13.33%

Yes
No

86.67%

Fig: Eating nutritious food

Table: 11

Taking of vaccination

Vaccination Number of respondents Percentage

Yes 18 60%
No 12 40%
Total 30 10%

Table- 11 shows that taking of vaccination of the respondent of the were found 60% yes and
40% no. The maximum respondents(60%) taking vaccination. The children who live in station
seen taken vaccination because of availability of the vaccination camp in railway station. The
children who live outside of the station mostly did not know about the vaccination or not aware
of the vaccination. But some respondents said they took vaccination.

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Detail information is presented in diagram

Taking of vaccination

40%
Yes
No
60%

Fig: Taking of vaccination

Table-12

Facing any oral or verbal harassment

Harassments Number of respondents Percentage

Yes 28 93.33%
No 02 6.67%
Total 30 100%

Table- 12 shows that facing of any oral or verbal harassment among the respondents were found
93.33% yes and 6.67% no. Most of the respondents said they are victim of different kind of
harassment, Most of this are physical harassment. Mostly they were victim by the police. The
harassment of street children is increasing in an alarming rate. They mainly face oral and verbal
harassment. The study found that among the respondents 93.33% percent children faced and still
facing various types of harassment by different people.

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Detail information is presented in diagram

Facing of harassment

6.67%

Yes
No

93.33%

Fig: Facing of any oral or verbal harassment

Table-13

Taking of drug

Taking of drug Number of respondents Percentage

Yes 07 23.33%
No 23 76.67%
Total 30 100%

Table-13 shows that taking of drug among the respondents were found 23.33% yes and 76.67%
no. The maximum number of respondents(76.67%) said they don't take any kind of drug. Its
seems that most of the respondent feel shy to admit or say about taking of drug. Some of the
respondent said they were took drug previously but not present. Some of respondents firstly not
acknowledge about the taking of drug. When the beside respondent said him I see u to smoke,
After that he acknowledge of taking of drug.

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Detail information is presented in diagram

Taking of drug

23.33%

Yes
No

76.67%

Fig: Taking of drug

Table-14

Engaged in criminal activities

Criminal activities Number of respondents Percentage

Yes 04 13.33%
No 26 86.97%
Total 30 100%

Table-14 shows that engaged in criminal activities among the respondent were found 13,33% yes
and 86.97% no. The maximum number of respondents (86.97%) claim they don't engaged any
kind of criminal activities. Most of the respondents said that they will remain without taking food
but will not do any kind of criminal activities. But some of the respondent said they theft
something previous but not in recent time.

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Detail information is presented in diagram

Criminal Activities

13.33%

Yes
No

86.97%

Fig: Engaged in criminal activities

Table-15

Sickness of the respondents

Sickness Number of respondents Percentage

Yes 23 76.67%
No 07 23.33%
Total 30 100%

Table - 15 shows that sickness of the respondents during last month were found 76.67% yes and
23.33% no. The maximum number of respondents(76.67%) did not sick during last month. Most
of the respondent said they were suffering from fever. Some respondents had stomach pain.
Some of headache and some of cough. one of respondent also said he burnt his finger 2 days
before of collecting information date.

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Detail information is presented in diagram

Sickness of the respondents

23.33%
Yes
No

76.67%

Fig: Sickness of the respondents

Table:16

Places of taking treatment

Treatment place Number of respondents Percentage

Govt. hospital 07 23.33%
Private hospital 01 3.33%
Pharmacy 15 50%
Kobiraj 05 16.67%
Others 02 6.67%
Total 30 100%

Table-16 shows that places of taking respondent were found 23.33% from Government hospital,
3.33% from private hospital, 50% from pharmacy, 16.67% from kobiraj and 6.67% from others.
The maximum number of respondents take their treatment from nearest pharmacy. When the
respondent suffering with some big diseases they need to go Government hospital. But for the
fever, stomach pain, cough they normally go nearest pharmacy. By saying the disease they
collect their medicine.

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Detail information is presented in diagram

Others
6.67%

Kobiraj
16.67%

Pharmacy
50%

Private hospital
3.33%

Govt hospital
23.33%

0.00% 10.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00% 60.00%

Fig: Places of taking treatment

Table-17

Everyday taking shower

Taking shower Number of respondents Percentage

Yes 19 63.33%
No 11 36.67%
Total 30 100%

Table-17 shows that everyday taking shower of the respondents were found 63.335 yes and
36.67% no. The maximum respondents(63.33%) taking shower every day. Mainly they take their
shower from the pond or river water and without using of soup.

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Detail information is presented in diagram

Taking of shower

Yes
36.67%
No

63.33%

Fig: Taking of shower every day

Table-18

Recreational activities of the street children

Recreational activities Number of respondents Percentage

Yes 28 93.33%
No 02 6.67%
Total 30 100%

Table-18 shows that 93.33% respondents have recreational activities and 6.67% respondent have
not any recreational activities. Most of the respondent said they are watching television by
standing the outside or by going the other house. Most of them also they sometime go cinema
hall to watch the shakib khan movie. The street children living in the station used to played
cricket, football and dan guti in the premises of the station. Some of respondents find its better
to time pass gossiping with other. Sadly. 6.67% children don't have any kind of recreational
facilities.

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Detail information is presented in diagram

Recreational activities

6.67%

Yes
No

93.33%

Fig: Recreational activities of street children.

Table- 19

Getting help from any organization

Help from any organization Number of respondents Percentage

Yes 14 46.67%
No 16 53.33%
Total 30 100%

Table-19 shows that 46.67% respondents find from any kind of organization and 53.33%
respondents not find any assistance from anybody. They say mostly they find cloth from
organization during the different festival like Eid. It's very rare financial help from any
organization. Sometimes gentlemen give some money them. It's not sufficient what they find
from different organization.

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Detail information is presented in diagram

Assistance from any organization

Yes
No
46.67%
53.33%

Fig: Getting help from any organization

Places of taking meal:

The street children do not get food properly. The study found that 13.33% respondents eat only
once in a day. 56.67% respondents eat twice in a day. The street children are usually fed by food
given by people by the mercy or they arrange their food through begging, hawking, theft etc. or
remain starved with hunger. Most of them collect food from the road side shops. Who live with
their parents are take food from home. Some of respondents collect food through begging from
restaurants and hotels. They do not have any specific place for taking of food.

Using of toilet:

Street children use different locations for toilet purpose. Pavement dwellers generally use road
side places early in the morning generally. In case of slum dwellers one slab toilet are generally
assigned for 20 to 30 families which is quite time consuming, boring and often chaos causing
because of the big lines. Most of the respondent also said they use public toilet by costing 5 tk.
Most of them discharge urine anywhere under open sky. At suitable times as a decent choose
they use mosque toilet, medical toilet and the like. However, for toilet purpose many times they
selects places under open sky at the edge of a field, rail-lines, roadside places, in pond etc. Since
under open sky discharging becomes critical for girls mostly for security and shyness, mostly in
day time they are, therefore, obliged to use public toilet mosque toilet, medical toilet and the like
even it costs. Sometime some of the vulnerable girls discharge those while bathing in the river
Surma or in a pond. However, most of the girls use open sky place mostly early in the morning
or in the dead of night if it is urgent. One of the boy respondents said: ―Gorib maiyara r kita
korbo. Nodite gosol korte giya panir vetor haiga dukki diya onno dike jay r gop koira gu vaisa
ute panir upre‖ (What else can do the poor girls? At the time of bathing in the river they release

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faeces dipping into water and rise in some other place. Soon the faeces skimmed up the water
and floats to distant places).

Sources of drinking water:

Most of the respondents use supply water including some other sources like footpath restaurants,
tea stalls, shops etc. Some other respondents use pond and river water for bathing and washing
clothes. Respondents who live in railway station drink water from the station.

Clothing:

Most of the respondents have not more than three set of cloth. Some of respondent said they have
only set of cloth. For this they have to wear same cloth after taking shower.

Future orientation of the street children:

In addition, respondents were asked to mention what they want to be in future. Most of the
respondents said that they wanted to become police officer because they are mostly victim by
them. Some of respondent wish to become doctor, engineer. Some of respondents want to be
driver. One of respondents said he want to be prime minister of Bangladesh.

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 CHAPTER-6
6.1 Findings and discussion:

6.2 Study Findings:

This study found the following things:

i. Street children are living socially lagging behind without their guardians.
ii. They are deprived from basic needs like; housing, education, treatment and any other children
rights.
iii. Government and NGOs are not working strictly to remove their problems.
iv. They have no social recognition and participation in our society.
v. Sometimes they have to be involved in political weapons and have to commit crimes.
vi. They are also deprived of parental love and affection which is very important in socializing
children.
vii. They do not have enough facility for recreation.
viii. All the street children have aspirations like other children.
ix. All the street children face different kind of oral and verbal harassment.
x. Street children wear torn and dirty cloth.

6.3 Discussion:
The study reveals information about the lives and livelihoods of children living in street situation
in Sylhet city. Housing is a basic human right and fundamental right assured by our constitution.
But sadly street children have to live in unhealthy and open air places like station, under bridge,
mosque, mazar etc. They are deprived of the basic rights of Childs.

This study also unveils information about the street children involved in work. They are engaged
in different kind of work like begging, selling newspaper, collect things from the dustbin and sell
etc. It's time for a children like them to study, playing and they have to fight for their basic
rights. The government cannot ignore them for sustainable development without counting this
large portion of street children.

According to this study most of the street children cannot eat three time in a day where nutritious
is so far away. Because of taking unhealthy food they suffer from various types of diseases like
fever, stomach pain, cough, diarrhea etc. Even they cannot take enough treatment facility.

Proper recreation facilities is necessary for the child development. Lack of proper and enough
recreational facilities it hamper the development of children. For this they started doing
unexpected social behavior and it can be harmful for the society.

Most of the street children had faced different kind of oral or verbal harassment. Its mentally
effect to the street children. On the other hand the drug taking rate from the street children rising
enormously. Its rising the possibility of street children to engaged in social crime.

When they were asked what you want to be in future, there face became happy. They said
different thing they want to be on the basis of the problem faced by them.

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It goes without saying that a number of national and international NGOs are working to assist
and protect street children in Bangladesh. But still, many of them remained unserved and the
services provided to others seem to be inadequate. Effective collaboration between the
government and NGOs should be made and the government should take more initiative for the
street children.

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 CHAPTER-7

7.1 Limitation of the study:

Firstly, it was harder to conduct a worthy research work due to lack of research experience and
skills.

Second, the data collection process from the people was so hard due to get actual information
from them.

Thirdly, the expertise of the questionnaire design is limited.

7.2 Recommendation:
Based upon the findings discussed above, to improve the situation of street children in the
Bangladesh requires:
1. Effective collaboration between NGOs and government agencies.
2. To find out the social reasons why do they become a street child and if possible to reduce the
causal factors.
3. They should to be provided with education and vocational education.
4. Constructing low-cost night shelters at different entry points of Sylhet city.
5. Special health clinics for street children.
6. Special ‘healthy kitchen’ on self-help basis to provide clean, hygienic and nutritious
food at low cost.
7. Raising awareness of the general public about street children and the non-enforcement of the
right to education for all.
8. Vocational training should also be offered and a bank could be set up to collect funds from
local and foreign sources.
9. Providing technical support for organizations and institutions in order to meet the basic needs
of these children; and
10. Strengthening partnerships between the public and private sectors at national and
international levels in order to ensure that action is sustained and effective.

7.3 Conclusion:
In Bangladesh street children is increasing day by day mainly cause of migration to the urban
streets, family breakdown, poverty and family size. Street children in Bangladesh, as in many
other third world countries, are deprived of the basic human rights. This is an attempt to know
about the Street Children in Bangladesh. They need our help. So we should forward our good
hand to help them. For doing this kind of great job money is not only the solution, it needs the
people with good heart. Governments of NGOs of the world may come forward in this respect.
To ensure children rights, all sorts of people should come to help street children so that they can
get their rights like other children of the society.

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References:
Ali, M.S., Islam, M.T., &Momin, M.A.(2012). Street Children and Their Socio-economic
Background in Bangladesh. Development Compilation Vol. 07. No. 02. June 2012.

Hai, M.A.(2014). Problems Faced By The Street Children: A Study On Some Selected Places In
Dhaka City, Bangladesh. International Journal of Scientific & Technology Research Volume 3,
Issue 10, October 2014.

Subarna, N.F., Biswas, A.K., Shikdar, M.K., Hassan,A.(2014). The Social Life of Street Children
in Khulna City of Bangladesh: A Socio-Psychological Analysis. Asian Journal of Social
Sciences & Humanities Vol. 3(1) February 2014.

Farid, S.& Mostari, M.(2015). Lives and Livelihoods of Children Living in Street Situation in
Dhaka City of Bangladesh. Bangladesh Research Publications Journal, Volume: 11, Issue: 1,
Page: 40-48, March - April, 2015.

Ahmed, S.M., Hossain, S., Khan, A.M., Islam, Q.S., & Kamruzzaman, M. (2011). Lives and
Livelihoods on the streets of Dhaka City: Finding from a population based exploratory survey.
Dhaka, Bangladesh: Research and Evaluation Division, BRAC.

Wazed S. (2010). Migration and street children in Bangladesh. OIDA International Journal of
Sustainable Development 2(1).

Khatun, M.T., & Jamil, H. (2013). Life Style of the Street Children in Khulna City. Bangladesh
Research Publication Journal, 9(1).

Chowdhury, M.S.U., (2012). Imroving Street Children's Environment: A Focus on NGO

Intervention in Bangladesh.

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 Appendix

Department of Public Administration

Shahjalal University of Science and Technology

Sylhet-3114

Interview schedule

on

The Social Life of Street Children: A Study on Sylhet City.

This data for this study will be used only for research purpose and will be kept confidential and
anonymous.

Part- A

Demographic Data

Name-

Gender- Male Female

Age- 6-9 10-13 14-17

Educational status- illiterate able to read and write primary others

Number of family member- 2-5 6-9 10-13 above 13

Part-B

(Information related to the social life of the street children)

Questions:

01. Where you are currently living?

Ans:

02. Do you migrant from another city?

Ans: a) yes b) no

If yes, why you are migrant?

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03. With whom you are living with?

Ans:

04. Do you have any work now?

Ans: (a) yes (b) no

If yes, what type of work you are mainly engaged in?

Ans:

05. How many times you can eat in a day?

Ans:

06. Where you usually take your meal?

Ans:

07. Can you eat healthy food?

Ans: a) yes b) no

08. Have you taken vaccination?

Ans: a) yes b) no

09. Do you face any oral or verbal harassment?

Ans: (a) yes (b) no

10. Do you take any kind of drug?

Ans: (a) yes (b) no

11. Have you engaged in any kind of criminal activities?

Ans: a) yes b) no

if yes, what type of?

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12. Have you been sick during last month?

Ans: (a) yes (b) no

If yes, what types of diseases

Ans:

13. From where you take your treatment?

Ans: a) government hospital b) private hospital c) homeopathy d) kobiraj e) others

14. Where do you use your toilet?

Ans:

15. Do you take shower in every day?

Ans: (a) yes (b) no

16. From where you take your drinking water?

Ans:

17. How many set of cloth you have?

Ans:

18. Do you have any kind of recreational activities?

Ans: (a) yes (b) no

If yes, what type of?

Ans:

19. What you want to be in future?

Ans:

20. Have you got any kind of assistance from Government or NGOs?

Ans: (a) Yes (b) No

If yes, what type of assistance?

Ans:

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