Put it Right: One year on

Caroline’s village underwent mass treatment for bilharzia, the waterborne parasite that lives in her nearby lakes, and Caroline is no longer suffering from the illness. She is now able to attend school more regularly. “I like the school because I am learning and also meet my friends. I enjoy my English lessons and the games we play at break time.”

However, sometimes Caroline still has to stay at home and look after her siblings while her parents look for work, as their land isn’t enough to support them. UNICEF is supporting Caroline’s parents with counselling sessions to help them find ways to provide for their family.

Charles is now back in school full-time, and says that he enjoys a game of football with his friends after school. The UNICEF-supported community development officer noticed that Charles has a hearing difficulty and is making sure Charles has regular access to a doctor. Charles’ aunt has arranged for him to sit at the front of the class at school.

Charles is also now back in a caring family environment, living with his maternal aunt, still under the watchful eye of the Child Protection Committee who continue to support his little sister Kaseo and have arranged for improvements to Charles’ home.

Shumon has successfully completed his 40-month education course supported by UNICEF. He now works full time at the aluminium factory, but he has expressed an interest in continuing his education and we hope that he will apply for a vocational course run by local charities.

Aklima came top in her class following her annual exam this year. She no longer works on a rubbish dump, but continues to support her family by working at a plastics factory. However, with encouragement from a UNICEF-supported organisation, Aklima’s parents have decided to admit her to a vocational programme where she can learn sewing skills to improve her future employment options, which she is keen to do.

Sreynet continues to participate at the UNICEF-supported drop-in educational centre, and she even appeared in the centre’s quarterly play. She and her family now live in a transitional home and Sreynet’s mother is receiving support to help her generate enough income to rent a room for her family.

Sally was hit by a car when playing in the street and broke her right leg. Her relatives clubbed together to pay for her medical treatment, and her leg was in a cast for four months. Despite this, Sally seems a lot happier now and wears clean clothes.

Sally’s family has lived on the streets of Binondo for 15 years, and they sleep in Sally’s father’s tricycle rickshaw. Sally is still too young to take part in the UNICEF-supported street education sessions, but the family is known by street educator Butch, who stays in touch and keeps an eye on Sally until she is old enough to join in the sessions.

20/01/2011