Street children in Dhaka, Bangladesh, face anguish and uncertainty due to extreme poverty, family breakdown, and abuse. Approximately 450,000 street children are highly vulnerable to exploitation and child slavery.
Quick Facts
For over 45 years, New Zealanders have supported International Needs Bangladesh through various initiatives. A major focus is on orphaned and vulnerable children, providing them with education, medical care, and a safe home. Sponsoring a child makes a significant difference in their future.
In Dhaka, the drop-in center offers rest, meals, and schooling for children in bonded labor. Additionally, International Needs Bangladesh invests in local women through vocational training and healthcare centers, helping to improve their lives and opportunities.
About Bangladesh
Capital: Dhaka
Language: Bengali
Population: Approximately 166 million people, making it one of the world’s most densely populated countries.
Location: Bangladesh is a South Asian country located on the Bay of Bengal. It shares borders with India to the west, north, and east, and Myanmar (Burma) to the southeast.
Religion: The majority of the population practices Islam. However, there is also a minority population who practice Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity.
Education: Challenges include high dropout rates and limited access to quality education, especially in rural areas. Many children in Bangladesh face barriers to education due to poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and cultural factors.
Projects
Savar Medical Centre
Most of the children in Savar area suffer from malnutrition and have stomach problems like diarrhoea, cholera and similar diseases.
Savar Children’s Village
In Bangladesh, 51% of young women are married before 18, with girls as young as 13 often “sold” through dowries. This exposes them to neglect, abuse, and a lack of education.
Bethany Children’s Village
Bethany Children’s Village offers a transformative environment for orphans and vulnerable boys in Barisal, providing education, vocational training, and spiritual support. The project aims to expand facilities and enhance self-sufficiency to improve the future prospects of the children.
Bangladesh related stories
A Ray of Hope
Bangladesh
A Ray of Hope
Tuhin’s life was shattered when his father died, forcing him to the streets of Dhaka. Working long hours repairing bicycles, he faces harsh realities. The Drop-in Centre offers him hope and a chance for a better future.
Maisha has a second chance
Bangladesh
Maisha has a second chance
Maisha, forced to leave school for work in Dhaka's slums, received crucial support from International Needs during COVID-19. Now, she’s pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse.
Farzana’s journey: A path to education and a brighter future
Bangladesh
Farzana’s journey: A path to education and a brighter future
Farzana, a seven-year-old from a Banasree slum in Bangladesh, lives in an unsafe hut and walks far for drinking water. Her father’s uncertain income as a rickshaw driver can’t cover their needs. Farzana works as a helper, earning a small amount each week, equivalent to about what a person in the USA would pay for…