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Child labor stems from many different causes. Economic hardship is the primary reason that drive children into the workforce. According to Unicef(1), nearly 1 in 10 children across the world, approximately 152 million children are subjected to child labor. The consequences of child labor are devastating. Many children experience physical and mental harm. They can experience isolation, loneliness and depression. It can lead to traumas that can affect them into their adulthood. They are often exploited into slavery or sex trafficking. Physically, they can suffer from malnutrition, and also injuries at workplaces. In many factories that employ children, they work with heavy machinery which can lead to serious bodily harm. In fact almost 50 percent are involved in work that is hazardous, and dangerous to their safety and health. In almost every case, they have no choice but to drop out from school. This jeopardizes their futures, and takes away their fundamental right to literacy, education and opportunities for growth.

In Bangladesh, there is much to be done regarding child labor. There are nearly 450,000 children who live in the streets. In order to survive, they often engage in low skilled, low paid work. The primary school dropout rate is 35 percent, as they need to earn money to feed themselves and their families.For last several years DCI has been working to protect these children in the poorest of poor areas in the city and remote villages of Bangladesh by providing sponsorship support for education, health care and family support.

What can we do? 

• We must hold the employers accountable, with rules to bar them from employing children without any services for their welfare. When employers abuse their power, breaking international agreements against the employment of children, then they must be held accountable and reported for their actions. Children must be protected from the institutions which choose to exploit them. 
• Increase access to education, and make it universal. It is extremely important that all children no matter what their socioeconomic status may be, have access to school. Many families who are severely impoverished cannot afford to send their children to school, and resort to sending them to work in hazardous conditions. By increasing access to education and making schools cost effective, more children can have opportunities to break from the cycle of poverty and from being thrust into labor. 
• Increase awareness about child labor and the detrimental effects through social awareness campaigns. It is incredibly important to educate communities to build awareness about how valuable and vital education is for children. Child labor is far-reaching and especially devastating for countries where there is armed conflict or greater rates of poverty. In those areas, there needs to be more awareness about this issue. 

At DCI, Thousands of children at risk are being sponsored through the DCI’s SunChild Sponsorship Program, where they receive support for their education and welfare. We also hold social awareness campaigns regarding child labor. There are group meetings for mothers, community rallies and event, so there is general awareness about how important it is for a child to go to school, so they can learn to read, write and attain a career that allows them to break from the cycle of poverty and safeguard them from child labor. 

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References:

1. https://www.unicef.org/protection/child-labour

Every year, on the third Monday in January, we celebrate and honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who changed the world by delivering a new definition of greatness. To this day, Dr. King’s words and actions carry the same weight and resonance that they did over 50 years ago. At DCI, we are incredibly inspired and motivated by Dr. King’s powerful words and the impact that he has had on all of us. As a champion for peace, equality, and justice for all, he fought for the rights of others and called people into public service.  Dr. King once said,  “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable….Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.” 

On MLK Day, let’s all remember that we have the power to be great and to make a difference, by giving back to our communities and continuing to fight for others. Justice should be a reality for ALL. Today and every day, we are committed to serving the thousands of underprivileged children in our programs in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Nicaragua, and we will continue to be inspired by Dr. King’s legacy as we fight for their rights and give them opportunities to break free from the cycle of poverty.

As we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on his birthday, let’s reflect on his courage and determination to change the world. Undoubtedly, his life and legacy will remain in our hearts forever. 

Ehsan Hoque, MBBS, Ph.D.

Founder and Honorary Executive Director,

Distressed Children & Infants International (DCI)

The 8th of September was proclaimed “International Literacy Day” by UNESCO in 1966 to remind the international community of the importance and need for intensified efforts towards more literate societies. At DCI, we know that literacy is a powerful tool that has provided thousands of children in our programs the ability to perceive the world in ways that are unimaginable for those who are unable to read and write. Which is why we have worked for 18 years across 4 countries to consistently prevent underprivileged children from entering the workforce by providing educational support such as expenses, materials, and after-school tutoring.

This mission is more essential than ever in 2021, with the pandemic not only disrupting the way in which children learn, but also causing immense increases in poverty, which is directly linked to increased rates of children dropping out of school. The COVID-19 crisis has led to school shutdowns resulting in classes being held exclusively online. We have many volunteers abroad who are dedicated and compassionate, working hard to provide classes from all subjects to the children in our programs via virtual platforms. However, in our project areas, many children do not have access to the internet, and although we do have technology centers, the disparity is devastating.

DCI’s Field Staff have been working tirelessly by going around in vans on a monthly basis in our project areas, providing the children with valuable materials- such as notebooks, school textbooks by grade level and subject, writing utensils, and books for leisure reading. We want the children to read stories that open their imagination, solve math problems that increase their logical reasoning, read about other places that they can dream about exploring, and start becoming aware of the vast opportunities that they can reach if they aspire to study.

We want EDUCATION for ALL. We want LITERACY for ALL. On today’s International Literacy Day, we encourage you to visit our website (https://distressedchildren.org/) and learn about ways you can contribute to our mission to aid children to access education, whether it be volunteering with us, sponsoring a child, or donating for the cause, every little bit counts. Happy International Literacy Day! 

Ehsan Hoque, MBBS, Ph.D.

Founder and Honorary Executive Director, 

Distressed Children & Infants International (DCI)