This was observed at a discussion organised by Appropriate Resources for Improving Street Children's Environment (ARISE) in observance of the Child Rights Week 2005.

Children from both the streets and affluent families attended programme and took part in discussion held at the auditorium of the Department of Social Services (DSS) in the city.

ARISE is a collaborative initiative of the DSS and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to improve the status of underprivileged children.

In the first session of the programme, Social Welfare Minister Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid was the chief guest and State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babor the special guest. Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Larry Maramis also spoke.

After the first session, street children from six divisions and schoolchildren from Dhaka took part in a sharing session which was presided over by Hafizul Islam Mian, director general, DSS.

The street children explained how they spend their whole day. Most of the kids from the streets and the government-run drop-in centres (DIC) said they get up early in the morning and after washing up they straight go to work. After lunch they again start working.

The underprivileged children said they are deprived of their basic rights including education and medical care. "I feel sad seeing other children going to school. I want to go to school and receive education like the other citizens," said Al Amin, a street child.

The kids also said they feel sad during Eid and other festivals when children from well off families wear colorful dress, eat delicious food and enjoy with their parents.

"When we stand at the school gates, the guards often misbehave with us and asks us to leave the place. What they do not understand is we just love to see the kids getting in and out of the school. That is our only satisfaction," said Nasima, another street child.

The hardest part of the working children's life is the wage discrimination. The employers deprive them of due wages. Those who work as hawkers earn a little.

The girls alleged that they are subject to teasing as they return home or the DIC at night after work. People in the street sometimes misbehave with them.

Asked when they feel good, most of them said they enjoy a lot the company of their parents. They love to play games and watch TV.

On the other hand, schoolchildren from well off families said they never need to worry about food and transportation while going to schools or any other places. They get care and affection from their parents and ample opportunities of entertainment.

The kids from the affluent families were astounded to know the sad stories of the street children and the deprivation and discriminations the underprivileged children face.

The street children also pointed out that they are deprived of medical care when they fall sick. Many underprivileged children die due to wrong treatment or no treatment. Their parents cannot afford to buy medicines for them during illness.

The other discussants observed that the gap between the status of street children and that of the kids from well off families is huge. They suggested narrowing the gap by holding "sharing programmes' frequently.

They pointed out that many schools have arranged evening school for street children raising fund from the schoolchildren's tiffin money. They suggested that other schools can also start such practices.

Larry Maramis from UNDP said street children are termed 'community children' around the world and the number of such children could be around 150 million worldwide. He stressed giving them training on alternative skills so that they can contribute to society.

Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare Qazi Monwarul Haq was the chief guest at the second session. National Project Director of ARISE Abdus Sabur gave the welcome address while TV personality Abdullah Zafar moderated the programme.