Life Story: Interview with Banna


This interview was done in Bangladesh in the summer of 2002. The child interviewed, Banna, works as a domestic servant there.


Q: How old are you? A: Fourteen


Q: Why are you working here as a domestic servant? A: My family can’t afford food and clothing for me.


Q: Did you have any education before you started working here? A: Up to 2nd grade; then my family couldn’t afford any food or clothing for me. (Note: schooling up to 5th grade is free in Bangladesh)


Q: What is you father’s job? A: He works in a rice patty field, cutting, sowing, husking, and watering.


Q: What is your mother’s job? A: Since she is pregnant, she only husks rice patties if she is asked.


Q: Do you have any brothers or sisters? A: I have one brother, named Lipton.


Q: How long will you stay here? A: Until my father and mother can afford me, or until I get married. I don’t have a choice. I can’t just decide I don’t want to work here anymore.


Q: Do you want to go to school again? A: Yes


Q: Do you miss your family? A: Yes


Q: Do you get to see your family, and if so, how many times a year? A: I do get to see my family, twice every year.


Q: Would you rather live in Bangladesh or America? A: America


Q: What work do you do here? A: Clean clothes, clean the house, prepare tea, brush __________ hair, and other small chores like that.


Is working here hard a tiresome? A: No. I only need to help _________, and I get eight hours free time each day, and sometimes I get to watch TV in that time.


Q: What do you like to do? A: Read, sew, watch TV, write.


Banna lives in _______’s house. She shares a twin bed with another girl (who also works and lives in ______’s house). They also have a storage closet for their supplies. Their living space includes the kitchen, the closet, and a bathroom with a sink and a bucket of water. In exchange for Banna’s work, her parents receive money from _________. Also, ______ will pay for Banna’s marriage dowry.


Note: Some names in the above interview have been changed.