This is the Life

Measuring 2.2m x 2.7m, this tiny single room made of corrugated tin is the home of a family of seven: two parents, Ali Hossain Khalu, their three children, Afsana, Rokhsana, and Shahabuddin and two grandchildren, Alo and Akhi. Home is a slum in Kamrangirchar, an area on the outskirts of the capital of Dhaka.
Ali Hossain Khalu, the father is a lazy and a drifter who wonders aimlessly most of the time. His wife and mother to the children, Nurjahan Khala, , takes on the responsibility of the family and works as a housemaid to provide for the family. Two daughters Sabina and Rokhsana work in a garment factory, and the only son, Shahabuddin works in a cottage industry.
As a child, Khala and her mother migrated to Dhaka from the rural area of Faridpur in the hope of making a better life for themselves. Even though life is hard, Khala believes it is a better than before. She is thankful that she and her family are not on the street, that they can have a meal three times a day, and that sometimes there is enough left over to share with her in-laws. After doing everything for the family, Khala is also able to save some money for the future providing education for her children and grandchildren.
Still, Khala knows that it will be difficult to break out of the poverty cycle in which she and her family exist. "You see, this is how we live now. What else can I say? This is the story of life. This is the struggle, the hardness. It is impossible to describe how much struggle and how many hurdles I've crossed from my childhood til now. This is the life, this is just how it is."

“My whole life I have struggled and had many hurdles to cross. I’ve never had a nice sari, never had any cosmetics, not even good food. My children also suffer the struggle. You see, this is how we live now. What else can I say? This is the story of life. This is the struggle, the hardness. It is impossible to describe how much I’ve struggled from my childhood til now. This is my life, this is just how it is.” – Nurjahan Khala

“As I work as a housemaid for another family, I usually leave early in the morning and get home around 3pm, sometimes at night time. It’s a lot of work, cooking and washing for them and then coming back to do the same for my own family. My two daughters work in a garment factory from dawn to dusk. My second daughter does extra work at home each night making necklaces to sell. Thanks to all of this, our lives are a bit better now.” – Nurjahan Khala

Every day is a rush for Sabina and Rokhsana who work 12-hour days in a garment factory. Sabina’s two young daughters spend this time alone at home without anyone to take care of them.

“I lived my whole life with a vagabond husband. As he gets older he should take responsibilty for the family. He’s never done so in the past. He only works when he feels like it. I didn’t have to work until my father-in-law died. Now I have to earn to provide for my family.” – Nurjahan Khala

Ali Hossain Khalu lives a vagabond life, surviving off income earned by the rest of his family. His wife and two daughters each work, but Khalu never contributes. Instead, he waits for the day they get their salary, and he expects to be given a portion of it. On 12 January 2014 when Sabina came home after getting paid, her father said, “Hey, you haven’t given me any money. Where’s my money?” Sabina replied, “It’s in the bag. Don’t take more than 300.”

“I was able to provide some schooling for my children and now for my grandchildren too. I believe education can make a difference, which I didn’t get the chance to have in my own childhood.” – Nurjahan Khala.

Nurjahan Khala has to share four gas burners with ten other families in their slum to cook meals. The gas supply is only available after midnight and has very low pressure. The families face a constant battle with neighbours to get access to the stove to cook.

Shahabuddin works for the cottage Industry making spinning toys. After work it is difficult for him have a bath in cold water, particularly at night in winter.

“I’ve got pain in my right eye. I am scared that my other eye might get damaged because of this one. How can I work to earn to raise my family? I need surgery on my eye. He (Ali) has never asked me about the condition of my eye, never asked to get a loan for the surgery. He doesn’t have any feelings.” – Nurjahan Khala

Nurjahan Khala, with her husband Ali Hossain Khalu, three children and two grandchildren share a 2.2m x 2.7m room in a Dhaka slum. Five of the family members work for their living. Khala and her two daughters, Sabina and Rokhsana work every day but their lazy father and brother work occasionally (when they want).

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This is the Life