They exude an aura of self-reliance. They are now dexterous craftsmen who translate their aesthetic sense into reality through flowers.

Shishu Koli, a small flower shop in Mirpur's Kazipara is changing the lives of sexually abused children. The shop is under a project titled 'Empowerment of Child Sex Workers in Dhaka City' of Aparajeyo-Bangladesh, an NGO.

The NGO works for disadvantaged children and has rehabilitated at least ten through this small shop.

The youngsters went through professional training at some top flower stores of the city like Madhabi and Karabi in Shahbagh. They can now make wreaths, bouquets and garlands. The children are also expert decorators of wedding cars, marriage ceremonies, rituals and other festive occasions.

The NGO has also arranged work at garment factories for 23 sexually exploited children.

"I prefer to work in the flower shop and stay at the accommodation provided by Aparajeyo-Bangladesh," said Tania (not her real name), a girl of 14. Apart from being sexually abused, she has had the traumatic experience of her stepfather trying to marry her off to a hoodlum for money.

"This is a far better life. I make my own decisions and also earn some money," Tania said.

The three boys and seven girls aged between 12 to 15 at Shishu Koli get a monthly remuneration of Tk 900. In most cases, parents and guardians of the sexually exploited children prefer to leave them with the NGO rather than taking them back home fearing reprisal from the society.

Disadvantaged children confront many obstacles as they grow up and the sexually exploited ones often turn into professional sex workers.

"It is very difficult to bring these children out of the immoral environment as our society is still prejudiced against them," observed Mahabub-ul-Alam, Project Manager of Aparajeyo-Bangladesh.

Alam added their effort to provide alternative livelihood for such children through the flower shop had received wide-range support from different people and organisations since its launch on July 24, 2003.

"There are certain customers who opt to buy flowers from this shop just for the sake of helping these kids. We really appreciate this gesture as it increases the confidence of the children working here," said Alam. He also informed that the local businessmen, ward commissioner and even the policemen in the area are helpful towards the children.

Shishu Koli is not into profit still. The children said that a very small number of customers usually turn up. "Mostly they buy three or four roses, a few tube rose sticks or gladiolus only," said 12-year-old Ranu.

"We hardly ever get big orders for wreaths or bouquets or wedding car decoration although we are perfectly capable of doing those jobs," she added.

Alam said the shop is running with funds from Aparajeyo-Bangladesh.

"We are paying Tk 2200 per month as rent for the shop and also providing the salary to the children We could have given them more if the shop had made some profit," he said.

However, Alam reiterated that the organisation would continue assisting the shop financially as it wants these children to be independent. Moreover, he said they train the children so that they can move on to better things.

"One of our girls received an offer from a big flower shop with a better remuneration package and joined them. Such instances make us very proud," said Alam.