Shumon's Story

Shumon, just 13, lives in a slum in Bangladesh and works seven hours a day making pots in an aluminium factory. Unlike other children his age, he has no time to go to school. It is unfair that Shumon has to work and miss out on an education. But his father only earns £1.10 a day, and his family relies on Shumon’s earnings to help support him and his two younger brothers.

The factory is hot and noisy, and operating the heavy machinery leaves Shumon's hands blistered. "At work I sometimes hurt my hands, which is really painful." He is under pressure to work fast because he is paid by the number of pots he can produce and his family desperately needs the money. This is unfair pressure on any boy of Shumon’s age.

In richer countries such as the UK, children like Shumon whose family is very poor would still have the chance to go to school and get an education. But in Bangladesh, many children can’t attend school because they have to work. They become tied to low-income jobs, trapping them in a cycle of poverty. This is wrong.

All children have the right to be treated fairly no matter who they are or where they are from. UNICEF works tirelessly to protect this right, particularly for very poor children, like Shumon. Shumon has recently completed a three year course at a UNICEF-supported learning centre. It has more flexible hours than a school, making it easier for children like Shumon to attend.

When children’s education is disrupted, their determination to learn survives. Shumon loved going to the learning centre. There, he could be a child. He played with other children and learnt to read, write and do basic maths. "Now that I can read and count, I can check my earnings are correct."

He also gains practical knowledge, like health and safety at work. The learning centre gave him opportunities he wouldn’t otherwise have had, and the chance to be like other children. He liked learning English and is ambitious for his future. “When I grow up I want to be the boss of the factory.”

Shumon has the right to be treated fairly – to education and to opportunities so that he can grow and develop to his full potential. This is not possible if he’s excluded by poverty. UNICEF works with governments to ensure all children, no matter who they are or where they live, are treated fairly.

Shumon has had the chance to learn but around the world, many more children still lack the opportunities that others have. UNICEF is funded entirely by voluntary contributions. We need your support to protect every child’s right to be treated fairly. Denying a child’s right to be treated fairly is wrong. Please help us put it right for children like Shumon.

Shumon's story

11/11/2010