Economic Trend News
- Feature: Child vendor on Bangladeshi ferry expecting good life
Date: 30-Nov-2007 Sources: (Shenzhen Daily)
MADARIPUR, Bangladesh, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Abul Hossein, a poor Bangladeshi boy of 13, sells boiled eggs every day in the ferry crossing Padma River, one of the three biggest rivers in the country.
The primary school student lives with his parents and four younger brothers in Madaripur district on the southern bank of Padma River, some 90 km southwest of capital Dhaka. Every day after class, he will cross the river by ferry several times, selling eggs to the passengers.
Abul's father is a poor rickshaw puller and mother a housewife who takes care of the four younger sons.
Though Abul's father works hard, he still cannot support a family of seven members. At the age of 11, Abul started to take the responsibility of supporting the family.
Talking to the reporter on the ferry on Friday, Abul said though he is poor, he is looking forward to a better life.
'I study very hard at school. I got the award of best student last semester in my school. I think studying is the only way to change my life,' he said.
He said he wants to go to university and get good education. 'Then I can find a good job and take good care of my family.'
Abul buys 50 to 60 fresh eggs from the market every day and boils them at home. He then takes the eggs to the ferry 1 km away.
'I won't go home until I sell out all the eggs,' he said.
The price of an egg in the market is 4 taka (one dollar equals to 70 taka), which Abul sells at 6 taka after boiling. After one day's work finishes, Abul goes back home and gives the money to his mother to buy food for the next day.
'My family depends on the money I earn to buy food,' He said. 'If I don't work, we will starve.'
The Bangladeshi government enforces compulsory primary education, free education for girls up to class ten, stipends for female students.
Though the government encourages the children to go to school, those who from the poor families have to drop out of school to work in order to make a living.
Sponsor Results:
