Doorstep learning for girls in domestic work

Overview

The first half of 2026 has been another encouraging period for the UK Bangladesh Education Trust (UKBET). Through our Doorstep Learning Programme (DLP), we continue to bring education directly to children engaged in domestic labour across Sylhet and Moulvibazar.

During this period, we expanded our programme, strengthened educational support and helped more children move towards school, vocational training and safer futures. We also continued supporting families through livelihood assistance and worked with communities to raise awareness about children's rights and the importance of education.

Our 2026 Goals

• Support 560 children through DLP

• Facilitate 83 school admissions

• Enrol children in vocational training

• Provide livelihood microgrants to 76 families

• Continue expanding education, family support and community awareness activities

What We Achieved (January – June 2026

Children Reached

• 332 children attended regular DLP sessions, exceeding our annual target of 320 children.

• 7 children enrolled in mainstream school, with many more preparing to begin school at the start of the next academic year.

• 95 former child domestic workers received additional learning support to help them stay in school.

• 31 children and one sibling received educational sponsorship to cover school-related expenses.

Children continue attending weekly lessons that strengthen literacy, numeracy and life skills while preparing them for education and brighter futures.

Skills Development

• 74 children and 11 siblings enrolled in vocational training, including sewing, beauty therapy, food preparation and hand embroidery.

These opportunities help older children develop practical skills that lead to safer and more sustainable livelihoods.

Family Livelihood Support

• 29 families received livelihood microgrants to start or expand small businesses such as tailoring, tea stalls, food vending and other income-generating activities.

Strengthening family incomes reduces the financial pressures that often force children into domestic labour.

Community Awareness

• 31 awareness-raising activities were conducted with children, parents, caregivers, local authorities and community members to promote children's rights, education and the prevention of child labour.

Health and Wellbeing

• 848 health screenings were carried out during the first six months of the year, including blood pressure and blood sugar checks.

These screenings help identify health problems early, reduce healthcare costs for families and support children's continued participation in education.

Stories from the Field

(Names have been changed to protect children's identities.)

Ruhi

Ruhi lost her father at a young age and began working as a child domestic worker to help support her family. After being identified through our community outreach, she joined the Doorstep Learning Programme and now attends learning sessions three times a week. She is preparing to enrol in mainstream school in early 2027. Her grandmother says she has become much more confident and enjoys learning again. Ruhi dreams of becoming a teacher.

Lamia

Following her mother's death and her grandmother's serious injury, Lamia had to leave school and begin working as a child domestic worker to help support her family. Through UKBET's Family Futures initiative, her father received a livelihood microgrant in the form of a rickshaw to increase the family's income. In return, the family committed to ending Lamia's child labour and supporting her education. Lamia now attends DLP regularly and is preparing to return to mainstream school next year. She hopes to complete her education and build a better future for her family.

Looking Ahead

Over the coming months, we will:

• Support more children to enrol in mainstream school.

• Expand vocational training opportunities for older children.

• Provide additional livelihood microgrants to vulnerable families.

• Continue delivering regular Doorstep Learning Programme sessions across Sylhet and Moulvibazar.

• Organise more awareness-raising activities to help prevent child labour and promote children's rights.

Thank You

Your generosity is helping vulnerable children replace work with learning, hope and opportunity. Every donation enables more children to access education, strengthens families' livelihoods and helps protect children from exploitation.

Thank you for standing with UKBET and helping children build brighter, safer futures.