In November 2010, Ranpak has decided to support the Social and Economic Enhancement Programme for street children in the slums of Dhaka, Bangladesh. A project implemented by dutch child rights organisation Terre des Hommes and its local partner organisation.

This projects supports some 155 children with shelter, food, education, health care, skill training, legal aid, protection from abuse and exploitation and reintegration into families.

The project consists of two walk-in centres in Gabtoli and Sadarghat (Dhaka) which primarily provide day-care where street children can wash themselves, rest and store their belongings. There are also opportunities for sports and games, functional education and reading a book. The children get a regular medical examination and information about sex, HIV/Aids, personal hygiene and simple medical treatment. There is contact with the police to protect these children from abuse while the children also get information about law and behaviour. The centre also provides psychological counselling and legal assistance.

Riaz (on the left), 8 years old, in the shelter. In the night before, he and his four buddies worked at the vegetable market, where they earned a total of 75 Taka (€ 0.80), most of it by selling stolen tomatoes.

2010 Results

In 2010, the two walk-in centres, funded by Terre des Hommes with support of Ranpak, offered shelter, clothing, healthy meals, education and health care for 146 children. 11 boys are in preschool, 24 passed to the next level in primary school and 46 boys were offered informal education in one of the shelters. The other boys go to the first three levels of informal education in governmental primary schools. The staff of the walk-in centres support the kids to save part of their earnings – by working on the streets – in a special bank account. Their savings raised this year to almost 40,000 Taka (390 euro), from which the boys can make use of after consulting the staff (photo). Five older boys started a small business this year from which three a small grocery shop, one started selling phone cards. 

In 2010, 52 boys visited professional health care, 332 times the shelters offered first aid for smaller injuries or discomforts like skin problems, diarrhea or cuts. The centres also offered psychological support via 264 group sessions. With help from the staff, 22 boys found an internship, 10 not only succeeded their internship but also found a decent job.

Also on behalf of the children, we thank Ranpak for supporting this special project!