They now earn at least Tk 1000 each per month by making candles. The five friends themselves market their products. Russel is the team leader.

But they have qualms because they are not getting the scope for education though they want it.

They make candle at the Centre for Mass Education in Science (CMES), a local NGO at Khaserhat in the Sadar upazila, about 15 kilometres from the district town.

Thirteen year-old Russel said he left school two years' back when he was a student of class five. His father then used to earn only Tk 40 a day at a battle leaf field, which was not enough for buying even rice for their family with four brothers and three sisters.

He came to the centre and took three month's training.

Now he earns Tk 1000 per month and contributes the amount to his family.

The small NGO runs the factory at its office, where some distressed women also work.

Many others want to join them but the scope is limited, Anisuzzan, an official of the NGO, told this correspondent during a recent visit.

The CMES launched this small venture in January 200.

The candles are marketed in Patuakhali and Barguna districts. "We had to work hard to convince wholesalers as well as retailers", said Russel.

"Now local businessmen are sympathetic to us. They now say our products are better than others", he said.

Anisuzzam said they are trying to expand the project by buying some new machines. It is a sustainable venture with a small capital, he said.

Ruhul was busy packing cendles. "My father Abdur Razzak is a rickshawpuller. I stopped going to school due to poverty".

The five boys now realise that education is necessary but they do not have the scope. They will go to school if they get the chance.

Anisuzzamn said he is thinking how to provide them the scope, either at the NGO office or at any school.