2. This is Nitu. She is 10 years old and lives in southern Bangladesh.
3. This is Nitu’s family. Her mum, Alam, her dad, Shahidul and her big brother Niam who is 14 years old. They are standing outside their home.
4. Nitu’s dad, Shahidul sells and buys gulpata (palm leaf) as his job. People use gulpata to make roofs. He earns 1,000 taka a month - about £10. During cyclone Sidr, the roof of Nitu’s family home was badly damaged but Shahidul was able to fix the roof himself.
5. Nitu’s home is in a compound with a few other houses. Her family have been living there for 7 years. Nitu has lots of friends and she plays games outside in the compound.
6. Nitu has been at her new school for one year. The classrooms are wooden with a corrugated iron roof. She starts school at 8 am and finishes at 11.30am.
7. My favourite subject is English. I am at the top of my class at school. It makes me happy and proud. I study a lot. I always want to be the top scorer, so I study more and more!
8. It takes Nitu about 20 minutes to walk home. She swings easily on her crutches as she chats to her friends on the way. Nitu became disabled when she was six years old. She was playing games when she fell over and broke her leg. I used to go to school by rickshaw but now I usually walk.
9. Nitu’s mum Alam explains; “We tried to treat Nitu’s leg with doctors but there were complications and since then her leg hasn’t worked properly. Last time I took her to a doctor I spent 10,000 taka (£100) - my husband earns 1,000 taka a month (£10). I try to do everything right - but sometimes it’s difficult”
10. Nitu goes to a disabled group every week where she meets other disabled people who are very active and do everything for themselves. Seeing what they can do helps Nitu to feel confident that she can do whatever she wants to if she puts her mind to it. “ People discriminate against the disabled here” says Nitu’s mum “but meeting with other disabled people makes us stronger everyday”
11. Sometimes children at school call me names and it makes me cry, but going to the disabled group makes me feel better. It’s good to talk to other people who are disabled and are also confident.
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13. Nitu starts her day at 6am. She gets up, has a wash and then reads religious books before starting on her homework. Breakfast is at 7.30.
14. After school, Nitu comes home and has a bath. She has lunch around 1.30 then goes for a sleep between 2-4pm.
15. In the evening I exercise. I put a belt on my leg and walk without crutches - this helps my legs to be stronger. Then it’s more studying! No wonder Nitu is top of her class!
16. After dinner Nitu goes to her neighbour’s house to watch TV. Then it’s off to bed at 9.30pm
17. I hope you have enjoyed learning about my life in Bangladesh! Photos by Simon Rawles
