Street children in the shade of the rain: Stories of struggle in every drop of life
Sadia Sultana Rimi
While the rainy season in Bangladesh is a symbol of the beauty of nature, it is a terrible nightmare for street children. Every drop of rain brings new challenges to their lives. Lacking safe shelter, adequate food, healthcare and education, they are constantly struggling to survive.
Waterlogging is a common problem in various cities of the country, including the capital, during the rainy season. 62 percent of the roads in Kishoreganj city become waterlogged whenever it rains. This waterlogging poses various dangers to the lives of street children. Due to lack of safe shelter, they are forced to spend the night under the open sky, on the sidewalk or on the platform of the railway station. Their bodies get wet in rainwater and mud, which often leads to cold-related diseases, which often leads to death.
On October 2, 2024, a 12-year-old boy named Md. Ibrahim died after coming into contact with an electric pole while walking through rainwater in Bangshal, Dhaka. This incident highlights the real-life insecurity of street children. Accidents often occur when they come into contact with exposed wires and electric poles during rain, which poses a serious threat to street children.
The rains have also had a major impact on the educational lives of street children. The building of the Kalmu FNC Government Primary School in Gaibandha has been submerged in the river, so classes have been going on under the open sky for one and a half years. Whenever it rains, classes stop, which has a negative impact on the attention and interest of the students. Street children are already deprived of educational opportunities; this deprivation is further deepened by the rains.
During the rainy season, street children are susceptible to cold-related diseases such as pneumonia, bronchitis, respiratory problems, etc. Their immunity decreases due to lack of warm clothing and adequate food. Due to lack of access to healthcare, they often die from these diseases.
A coordinated effort by the government and non-governmental organizations is needed to alleviate the plight of street children. It is essential to distribute winter clothes, build temporary shelters, provide healthcare through mobile medical teams, and create educational opportunities. In addition, by raising awareness among the general public, personal and social initiatives should be taken to stand by street children.
Although rain is a blessing from nature, it is a curse for street children. Every drop of their life hides a story of struggle. We all need a collective effort to ensure a safe and dignified life for these children. By standing by their side, we can build a humane society, where the life of every child will be safe and beautiful.
The writer is student, the department of Mathematics ,Jagannath University, Dhaka
