Stories about children’s days
Marisha, 14 year old girl
About Marisha’s life
Marisha lives in Gojomhol, Dhaka with her mother and father. Her father is a traditional healer and mother works as a domestic labourer in three different houses. Marisha’s older brother and older sister have both married and moved out of home. Her younger brother studies in their village.
Back when they lived in their village, Marisha’s mother took loans from multiple lenders, and the family suffered intimidation from loan sharks. Due to the stress and the toll this took on her mother’s health the family moved from their village to a nearby city. Then, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and Marisha’s parents lost their jobs and the family was evicted from their home, they relocated to Dhaka.
Marisha’s father taking the money she earns
I have to give 3,000 BDT (US $27) to my father, otherwise he will kick me out of the house. What comes first, money or body? What will I do with all the money I’ve earned if I can’t keep my body?
Sewing leather
On arrival in Dhaka, at the age of 13, and against her parents’ wishes, Marisha decided to start working, although with the intention of resuming her studies at some point.
Marisha now works in a shoe factory earning BDT 7,151 (US $65) a month. In January 2023, 18 months after leaving school and starting to work, Marisha joined a madrasah to continue her education part-time.
On 9 March 2023 Marisha recorded her day and her experiences going from home to her workplace – which is around 12 minutes’ walk away from her home. On this day Marisha also visits her favourite canal-side place, goes to a friend’s house, buys street food and visits her sister-in-law’s house. Whenever she gets the chance, Marisha enjoys taking walks with friends to eat Bangladeshi street food. She also goes shopping at the local market, which is about 30 feet away from her home. This is not a typical day for Marisha because she feels sick and takes leave from her factory after lunch. Usually, she works six days a week (every day except Friday) from 8 am to 5 pm, or until 9pm when overtime is required (this is frequent to the point of being normal).
There are some elements of Marisha’s day which are not captured. For instance, Marisha often fetches water, to use in the family’s room, from the communal washroom in the building, using a bucket. Also, due to restrictions imposed by the owner of the factory where Marisha works, our researcher was unable to observe some of the processes which she undertakes.
Dog chasing girl
“People might say bad things about me if they see me walking around alone after dark.”
Marisha at her workplace
Marisha doesn’t have to do any domestic work at home as her mother takes care of everything. Her mother respects Marisha for the work she does and the income she provides, and she loves Marisha very much. Marisha’s father is not a supportive presence in her life however, he is abusive towards Marisha and does not contribute very much to the family income.
Marisha draws security from the presence of her many neighbours living around them. When she is at home she can enjoy restful moments and can go to the rooftop of the building in which she lives and chat with her friends.
Marisha enjoying some rare leisure time on the roof of her building
I work to support my family, my mother has a lot of loans to pay, I work to support her. My father doesn’t contribute anything to our family.
Marisha’s day
Marisha’s experience
It was difficult to get up early this morning, I am still feeling sleepy. I am still very tired from doing overtime last night.
I’m feeling very irritated as I have to go to the factory now. I don’t want to go but I have to be. Sometimes it makes me feel helpless.
Researcher’s experience
She is not feeling well. She looks very tired and sleepy. She does not want to go to work but she has to go. She has been doing overtime for four weeks straight. There is lots of pressure from her factory due to Eid, so she has not been able to take a day off. She has caught a cold and is coughing continuously plus, she has period cramps which are making her feel very weak.
Marisha’s route to work
Marisha’s experience
During Ramadan, my work starts at 6am and I have to leave my house at least 10 mins prior to this. As it is still dawn, everything is in darkness and usually the roads are empty. Sometimes there are weird-looking people, drunk people, sex workers and madmen in the roads. They sleep beside the road. I feel very scared, as I walk alone. Fear of being raped, kidnapped or molested engulfs me all the time. Also, there are many dogs around, all barking. I’m very scared of dogs. A few days ago, I was chased by some dogs on the way to work, so I ran into a building and hid inside. I was already late for work. After a bit, I saw a man coming so I asked him to help me get across the road. My card was marked 30 minutes late for this reason.
Researcher’s experience
She looks pale as she is recovering from a fever. The road she takes smells bad and is full of holes. It’s a really risky unhealthy environment. I think she is very brave to sometimes walk alone along this road at night.
Marisha’s factory
Marisha’s experience
I sew leather pieces for shoes, and often I have to work with Burmese leather, which is more difficult to sew. I don’t enjoy sewing with it, but I have to do it. The raw leather pieces are small, and we have to join these small pieces together to create a pair of shoes. There is a risk of getting pricked by the needle while doing this. Unfortunately, yesterday, my finger was pierced by the machine needle. Thankfully, my colleagues helped me and got me some bandages. We have a first aid box with basic things like paracetamol and antiseptic creams.
I also work with a machine used for printing shoes with colour. I’m given work on all the different machines as I am familiar with them all. I’m already feeling very weak and sick. Doctors have said that I have a weak heart. I also have a problem with my ears, my gums bleed, my blood pressure is low and I always feel tired.
Researcher’s experience
She is working operating a sewing machine for one hour. To her, this work does not seem hard or risky, but I can see that she needs to give it her full concentration and as a result, she has to stare for a long time. She tells me that she feels dizzy and that her vision blurs after working on the machine.
She has to perform lots of different tasks on different machines. It seems very difficult to manage so many different tasks as a child.
Marisha’s home
Marisha’s experience
Our bathroom is a shared, open space. There is no door. Two people were washing plates right next to it, so I took a very quick shower. A boy who lives in the same building tried to come in while I was showering once but he stopped when some women shouted at him.
Researcher’s experience
The lack of a door to the bathroom allows anyone to enter without prior notice. It seems likely that incidents of privacy being invaded are unfortunately very common and happen on a daily basis. It appears that Marisha has become accustomed to such occurrences, although they pose significant risks, particularly for young girls like her.
The bathroom is also extremely narrow and dark.
Marisha’s experience
Sweet wind is blowing up here, which feels so good. There are lots of kites flying in the sky, I love seeing them. I have come to the rooftop for the first time in two days, which is why I’m enjoying these views so much. I like listening to music and singing. I don’t know about my voice, but I love it. I also play badminton on the roof. It’s my favourite sport, though I don’t have a racket of my own. Sometimes I borrow one from my cousins.
Researcher’s experience
The rooftop is the place where she comes to find peace. After coming to her favourite place she seems refreshed and excited. She loves to watch kites flying. She has a beautiful voice and loves having an audience for her singing. But this rooftop does not have railings around it which feels very risky.
When she plays badminton, she is at her most cheerful and happiest. Her spontaneous and energetic self is back again, and she seems to have forgotten her cares and the world around her.
The canal where Marisha walks with a friend
Marisha’s experience
The place smells really bad. I can’t breathe properly here. But it’s the only place we can come for a walk and where I can meet with friends who live nearby. I can’t do this very often as I always have to work overtime in the evenings. Plus, there are sometimes problems with boys who harass the girls here. But today they are not around so all is well.
I’m a bit afraid of heights and I need to cross a bamboo bridge on my way around the neighbourhood and this makes me nervous. But it’s the only short way to get to the other side of the canal.
Researcher’s experience
The place stinks. The water is polluted with dead animals, dried leather and other rubbish. Unfortunately, this is the only place for Marisha and her friends to walk.
The bridge across the canal looks very fragile. Marisha is terrified to cross it but she has no choice. She shouts out with fear, and it is an unpleasant experience for her.
Marisha’s experience
I don’t usually take this road as it’s always dark and empty. I wanted to go to my friend’s house, but this road does not feel safe so I’m going back home.
After 11pm I do not go out alone. If my mother asks me to get a mosquito coil from a shop, I go before 11pm.
Researcher’s experience
The road leading to Marisha’s friend’s house is extremely dark due to an absence of streetlights. The only light comes from the headlights of passing motorcycles. The lack of illumination combined with rumours that the area is unsafe make Marisha feel uneasy and vulnerable. I myself feel scared and uncomfortable here.
Marisha’s experience
I’m feeling irritated right now. My head is pounding after walking around in the sun earlier. I’m feeling hungry and a bit dizzy, I have a headache and a sore throat. I will be resting until supper. Tomorrow I have to go to work, even though it is Friday. It is making me annoyed. But I have to go.
Explore Marisha’s journey
Rama, 17, supports her family by working as a beautician in the daytime and as a dancer in a dance bar at night.
Supriya, 16, works in a party palace (party venue) from 5pm until midnight.
Pema, 15, works in events catering in the afternoons and evenings, after going to college in the morning.
Khem, 17, has worked for a relative in a khaja ghar (small eatery) since he was ten years old.