In Lalmonirhut we are piloting a new project where Class V students are preparing five year old children for preschool. The project has several aims, but one of the most important is to increase children’s retention at school. By making education fun, preparing them for what is to come, and raising awareness within their communities of the importance of education, the hope is that the project will boost the number of children finishing their education. Widespread poverty across Bangladesh means that most children are forced to work to help support their family. These children do not have time to attend school, let alone to play with their friends and enjoy the sort of childhood we so often take for granted.
Hopefully the project will motivate parents and children to value education,breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty. The pilot project is running on a small scale in six districts across Bangladesh and it appears to be working. In fact, the families of the children not involved are insistent we implement the project nationwide immediately.
In Rangpur, I visited an adolescent empowerment centre run by one of our NGOs. That day a group of Peer Leaders had gathered to meet me and discuss what they had learnt on a recent trip to Cox’s Bazaar. Peer Leaders from across Bangladesh attended the week-long retreat to discuss the issue of HIV/AIDS and how they as adolescent leaders can raise awareness in their communities. These teenagers were so excited to tell me about their trip – the first for most of them outside of their community. At the retreat they had the chance to meet other adolescents around the country, play sport, hang out at the beach and learn more about HIV/AIDS and community engagement methods.
Basicallly, these kids go out into their communities and educate by coordinating/running rallies, community meetings, interactive popular theatre, making posters and disseminating information on issues such as early marriage and dowry, HIV/AIDS, child labour, child abuse, child trafficking and child rights, gender equality and education. Acting as agents of change within their own communities, these adolescents become confident young achievers who know the importance of progressive change.
Boys posing for the bideshi with a camera in the adolescent empowerment meeting about child rights.
I was all very inspired by the trip, until I had a conversation with a well-educated, well-travelled man about his opinion of UNICEFs interventions. Firstly, he believes it is not necessary to explain to poor, uneducated people exactly what our interventions are for or about, because they are uneducated and stupid and will only become nervous and won’t want to be involved. Sadly, this belief that the poor of the country are incompetent morons is not uncommon. And it makes me fucking depressed. Answer me this: how the FUCK is this country going to achieve anything if it isn’t supporting its underprivileged by giving them the opportunities afforded to the middle and upper classes?
And the most ridiculous part of all of this is that, from what I’ve seen anyway, the reverse is true. It seems to be the poor, uneducated people who are grabbing at our interventions with both hands, able and willing to break the cycle of poverty and give themselves what they need to lead prosperous, healthy, respectful lives. And it is the middle and upper classes (as if there should even be such terms or hierarchy) that is resistant.
Second, regarding our adolescent empowerment project. Apparently it will have a boomerang effect. Because the project encourages adolescent boys and girls to get together to discuss awareness raising campaigns and this will inevitably lead to sex. Potentially sex outside of marriage. Which is why early marriage is okay.
Really? I’m sorry, at which point did we stop having an intelligent debate? Children, young children getting married? Children having sex? Children having children? What planet am I on when this seems like a reasonable suggestion?
I’d argue that actually children should be free to enjoy their childhood. That sex, like any other decision we make in our lives, should be made based on a thorough understanding, with respect of our culture, religion, family and upbringing. Surely, all of this boils down to giving people the ability to make informed decisions?
Ok, so maybe I’m naive. Sure, of course I am. What do I know about the problems people face here, have faced here for hundreds of years? Fuck all. But that doesn’t mean people shouldn’t be allowed to make fully informed decisions. That's a basic human right.
Every child has the right.
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