No child would ask for a life on the streets

"No child would ask for a life on the streets, but I had to accept it."

Ashraful knew what he wanted in life - it was a better education. For for the 14-year-old that opportunity lay in the busy metropolis of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Like the estimated 1.1 million 'street children' around the world, Ashraful soon realised that life on the streets was full of uncertainties and perils.

"Everyone tried to exploit me - the police, older children, snatchers - everyone." He would fit his three hours of school calsses around his work as a newspaper seller, where he was paid around 50 pence for a 12-hours day. The long, gruelling days started at 6am and went on late into the night, leaving him with jsut a few hours  to rest.
 
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Case study: Escaping life on the streets

There are 680,000 street children in Bangladesh and nearly half of them are aged under 10. Many of these children struggle to find food, suffer from abuse and have no access to education or health facilities.

Since 2002, Plan's drop-in centres have been helping children to escape life on the street by providing a secure and healthy living environment where they can stay. In addition to general support, the centres run classes in subjects such as literacy, music, art and drama, while older children receive vocational skills training.

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International Day for Street Children: Home Street Home

The International Day for Street Children is celebrated every year on 12 April. The day provides a platform for the millions of street children around the world - and their champions - to speak out so that their rights cannot be ignored.

It was launched in 2011 by the Consortium for Street Children (CSC), the leading international network dedicated to realising the rights of street children worldwide. This year, the CSC, of which Plan is a member, is calling on the UN to officially recognise the day.

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Case study: Education lift for child street workers

Children from migrant indigenous families in Quito, Ecuador, who would normally spend their days working on the streets, are now receiving an education thanks to Plan.

Thousands of indigenous families migrate to the city each year but when they arrive they often experience discrimination against their language and culture - limiting their access to jobs and education. Many of them are forced to become street vendors, including 2,200 children.

Watch the video to see how the Plan-supported Inter-Cultural Bi-Lingual Emperimental Centre is helping children whose families work in San Roque Market. Many of them would probably never have the chance to attend a regular school.