The Silent Struggles: Lessons from Children of Heaven for Bangladesh’s Low-Income Children
Sumon Maitra
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Majid Majidi’s Children of Heaven is a simple yet poignant film that captures the essence of childhood in the midst of economic hardship. It tells the story of Ali and Zahra, two siblings from a low-income family in Iran who share a pair of shoes, each taking turns to wear them to school. The narrative powerfully conveys themes of innocence, resilience, and the quiet dignity of children growing up in poverty. This cinematic masterpiece offers valuable insights into the emotional struggles that children in low-income communities face, especially in Bangladesh, where economic disparity continues to shape the lives of millions of young people.
The Everyday Battles of Our Children
In Children of Heaven, Ali and Zahra’s world is colored by their family’s financial constraints. Similarly, in Bangladesh’s low-income communities, children face daily challenges that stem from economic deprivation. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), as of 2021, about 20.5% of the population lives below the national poverty line, which translates to approximately 35 million people (BBS, 2021). These struggles extend beyond physical hardships like lack of access to basic amenities—clean water, nutritious food, and healthcare. They also include emotional crises that go unnoticed or untreated, as children are forced to mature prematurely, taking on responsibilities beyond their years.
For children in Bangladesh’s low-income neighborhoods, the realities are harsh: living in overcrowded homes, attending underfunded schools, or worse, being forced to drop out and contribute to family income at a young age. UNICEF reports that nearly 1.5 million children in Bangladesh are engaged in child labor, often working in hazardous conditions (UNICEF, 2021). These children often shoulder the psychological burden of their family’s struggles, absorbing the stress and anxiety of adults, which robs them of the carefree joy that defines childhood. Much like Ali and Zahra, they navigate a world where even the smallest loss, such as a missing pair of shoes, can have profound consequences on their lives.
Emotional Toll of Poverty: The Invisible Crisis
One of the most overlooked aspects of poverty is its emotional and psychological impact on children. While the physical needs—food, shelter, clothing—are more visible, the emotional needs often go unmet. Children in low-income households in Bangladesh face constant pressure, living under the weight of expectations, fear, and uncertainty. They are often caught between the innocence of childhood and the harsh realities of adult responsibilities.
The film's characters display resilience and determination, but underneath, they struggle with feelings of shame, guilt, and inadequacy. Children in Bangladesh experience similar emotions. A study by the World Bank (2020) found that 39% of children aged 5-17 reported experiencing emotional distress due to economic stressors, often feeling embarrassed by their socio-economic status, ashamed of their worn-out clothes, or excluded from social activities due to their inability to afford simple pleasures like toys, books, or outings. These feelings can have a lasting impact, leading to low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression, which can go undetected and untreated.
The Strain on Education and Dreams
Like Ali, who dreams of succeeding in school but is hindered by his circumstances, many children in Bangladesh harbor dreams of a better future—dreams of education, careers, and breaking free from the cycle of poverty. Unfortunately, their dreams are often interrupted by the need to prioritize survival over education. According to the Ministry of Education, over 3 million children were out of school in Bangladesh in 2021, many of whom are from low-income families (Ministry of Education, 2021). Children from low-income families frequently drop out of school to work in informal sectors, from street vending to garment factories, sacrificing their education for financial contributions to their households.
The emotional strain of juggling school and work can be immense. These children often feel trapped, unable to fully commit to either education or earning. The burden of supporting their families creates a conflict between their immediate responsibilities and their aspirations, leading to frustration and disillusionment. Just like in Children of Heaven, where Ali’s simple wish to win a race and earn new shoes takes on a deeper significance, for these children, small victories and dreams take on extraordinary emotional weight.
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The Role of Society and Institutions: Can We Do Better?
In Children of Heaven, the siblings’ story is one of quiet endurance, but it also highlights the importance of community support. In Bangladesh, there is a need for societal acknowledgment of the emotional toll poverty takes on children. Social safety nets and community programs must not only address material needs but also focus on the mental health and emotional well-being of these children. A report by Save the Children (2022) found that one in four children in Bangladesh experiences mental health issues, exacerbated by poverty, violence, and neglect.
Schools, community centers, and NGOs play a crucial role in creating safe spaces where children can express their emotions, receive counseling, and participate in activities that promote emotional resilience. Programs that encourage creative outlets—such as art, music, and sports—can provide a much-needed escape from the pressures of everyday life and help children process their emotions in a healthy way.
Furthermore, parents in low-income communities need support in understanding the emotional needs of their children. Much like Ali and Zahra’s parents, who are overwhelmed by their own struggles, many Bangladeshi parents are too consumed by their own financial challenges to recognize or address their children’s emotional crises. Providing parenting workshops and resources to help parents foster emotional intelligence and resilience in their children can have a profound impact on both the child’s development and the family dynamic.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
Children of Heaven is more than just a film about poverty—it’s a reminder of the resilience, strength, and silent suffering of children in economically disadvantaged situations. It serves as a mirror to our own society, urging us to look closer at the emotional lives of children in Bangladesh’s low-income communities. While addressing material poverty is critical, we must also acknowledge and respond to the emotional and psychological needs of these children.
Bangladesh has made significant strides in improving access to education, healthcare, and social services, but more can be done to address the invisible emotional burdens carried by children living in poverty. By creating a more supportive, empathetic, and responsive society, we can ensure that these children, like Ali and Zahra, have the opportunity to rise above their circumstances, pursue their dreams, and lead fulfilling lives—shoes or no shoes.
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