Khaitta Khai: Working hand to mouth

Street urchins refuse to beg as long their hands and feet are able.Photo: Faizul A Tanim

Floating street kids selling candy, newspapers and books blamed the police for arresting them in the streets for no reason.

"We have tried to do something constructive instead of begging as it gets us nowhere," said Anwar Hossain, a candy seller from Panthapath.

"Nauzubillah about begging," Habib declared with embarrassment. "We have been blessed with able hands and feet so why should we beg? It not only gives us a bad name but the police find some reason to trap us," he added.

"This is a hand-to-mouth situation. We sell around two bags (50 pieces) of Heartbeat candy each day. This fixes us with Tk 25 profit by evening," Anwar said.

Answering to the question, whether the money was sufficient, 10-year-old Badrul from Dhanmondi said: "Certainly not! My parents work as well, but this is a small contribution I make for love of my family."

The ages of these kids range from 6 to 12. At 12, they indulge in heavier work such as in garment factories or as helpers in motor garages. The junior ones undergo many hardships during the day. Not only chased by police, they are reported to be tracked by miscreants involved in child trafficking.

"Selling around 60 newspapers and magazines, we earn upto Tk. 120 a day. The rest that is, Tk 360 from the net earnings, goes to the owner," said Khaled, an urchin.

"I did not get into begging because of the strong feeling to work and make a genuine living. It is definitely better than begging and being humiliated, not to mention the greater fear of being caught by the police," he added.

The police denied these allegations and the traffic police in Karwan Bazar, Panthapath and Dhanmondi areas said that none of the allegations was true.

A police officer however commented that these street kids are sometimes bribed by local hoodlums and are used in illegal businesses. Residents and commuters in these areas complain that the children are a nuisance, forcing their wares on passers-by.

When social welfare organisations working for destitute children rehabilitation were contacted, Wahida Banu, director (programmes) of Aparajeyo-Bangladesh, a local NGO said: "As we receive news of such arrests, our field workers rush to the spot or to the vagrant centres they are taken into. Based on legal points and with the help of our lawyers, we convince the police to release the children."

"When they are released, we bring them under our care and rehabilitate them. We give them food, education, clothing and mental support," she added.