‍A Childhood Shaped by Loss

"This used to be our playground," says 12-year-old Shihab, pointing to a patch of water in Shyamnagar Upazila, Satkhira, where his village playground once stood before the Kholpetua River slowly consumed it. Shihab vividly remembers the day after a monsoon storm when the playground first began to erode. Now, only water remains. Eight-year-old Fatema, from the same village, misses the mango tree that shaded her reading spot. Her family has lived in the coastal village for ages, but that tree is now totally under water because of the rising tides. "I used to sit there and read," she says softly. "I miss it every day." For ten-year-old Rafiq, the erosion has caused his family to move three times in Burigoalini village over the last five years. "I dream of living in a big house where no water can get in," he says. But for kids like Rafiq, even this simple hope feels out of reach.The relentless rise in sea levels and the increasing frequency of storms mean that more children share similar stories of loss. Coastal erosion has not only taken away the physical spaces where childhood happens but also eroded the emotional security that comes with stability. Children now live with the constant awareness that their homes, schools, and communities may not be there tomorrow. This uncertainty affects the emotional and psychological well-being of the child, therefore often causing anxiety and stress in an age when carefree playing should dominate their days.

Education Under Threat

Kids in coastal Bangladesh are dealing with way more than just losing their homes and playgrounds; their education's really at risk too. More storms are hitting, which means schools often have to close or get wrecked. Over in Satkhira District, some schools stay closed for weeks or even months after bad flooding. “Our school shut down for two months after the last cyclone," Shihab says. This break in learning holds back kids' long-term potential cutting down their chances and keeping poverty going. Although temporary learning centers offer quick fixes, they don't have the setup and tools needed for good education. "Sometimes the learning centers don't have roofs strong enough to withstand heavy rain," Fatema explains. "We have to stop classes until it dries." Teachers in the area are taking action adding lessons about dealing with climate change and getting ready for disasters to what they teach. "We teach students how to stay safe during storms and why it's crucial to protect mangroves," says local teacher Akram Hossain. These lessons give children power arming them with know-how that might save lives one day

The Erosion Crisis and Its Impact

Bangladesh is losing about 10,000 hectares of land every year because of river erosion, and places like Satkhira are really feeling the hit. UNDP report from 2023 says Bangladesh is the 7th most at-risk country when it comes to climate change, and kids are suffering the most. The report points out that more than 19 million kids are affected by climate problems, especially in vulnerable spots like Satkhira, Khulna, and Bagerhat. (Source: Global Climate Risk Index, 2021 https://www.undp.org/bangladesh/publications/climate-vulnerability-index-draft)

 "Erosion displaces more families each year than any other climate-related issue," explains Dr. Mahmuda Rahman, a climate expert at BRAC University. "Without significant intervention, coastal erosion will continue to threaten livelihoods and displace entire communities." Families are often left with few options but to migrate inland, straining already overcrowded urban areas and putting additional pressure on resources. So, rising sea levels and stronger cyclones are making erosion way worse, like washing away farmland, homes, and all sorts of infrastructure. In places like Satkhira, some villages have totally vanished. "I remember when there were houses beyond that line of trees," Rafiq says, pointing to the far-off horizon. "Now, there is only water."

How Children Adapt

Children remain resilient in spite of that fact. Amina of Gabura village, 9 years, knows just what she has to pack if their flood evacuation becomes an on-air signal. "I will take food, clothes, and my school books along," she says stoically. Her fisherman father showed her how to make flood preparation after the two spells last year that subverted water right into their mud-floored house. "That gives me skill", empowering her rather than "poor girl; She would be killed", end. Community resilience is often anchored by the younger generation. Amina and her peers take part in village planning sessions, sharing their insights on how to best safeguard their community. "We told the elders to plant more trees near the water," she says. "They listened to us."

Hope in Community Efforts

Grassroots efforts, often involving children, are under way in communities to address erosion in Satkhira. One of the grassroots efforts is mangrove reforestation to protect the coastline from further erosion. "I planted a mangrove tree with my father," says Shihab. "He says it will grow strong and protect our village." Mangroves not only stabilize the soil but also act as a natural barrier against storm surges, offering an essential buffer for vulnerable communities.Local NGOs like Shushilan, Uttaran, and Local Environment Development Agricultural Research Society, or LEDARS for short, are involved in supporting such efforts. Working hand in hand with villagers to put into place various projects in sustainable development and support educational needs of displaced children, "Shushilan helped us rebuild our school after the flood," Fatema recounts. "They also brought books and supplies for us."In Burigoalini, women's crab and seaweed farming offer alternative livelihoods to families as they adapt to the changing environment. "My mother sells mats at the market now," says a proud Rafiq. "She bought my schoolbooks with the money." These little acts create hope-a sign that community resilience can indeed pave the way for a stable future.

A Call to Action

The stories of Shihab, Fatema, and Rafiq put a face to the pressing need for climate adaptation and mitigation in Bangladesh's coastal areas. As resilient as they are, survival alone is not something for the children to bear. There needs to be investment in sustainable infrastructure, education, and community-driven projects. Policymakers must move toward child-centered climate adaptation strategies. Programs that deal with children's specific vulnerabilities-specially designed safe spaces during floods, disaster education, and psychosocial support-are of utmost importance. "Children are often the most affected but the least considered in policy decisions," stresses Dr. Rahman. As the tide rises and continues to rise, these children's voices ring ever louder, reminding the world that their dreams and aspirations too are worth protecting. "I want to be a teacher," says Fatema, standing near the edge of the water. "But first, I need a school that doesn't flood." By investing in resilient futures, Bangladesh can help children like Shihab, Fatema, and Rafiq not only survive but thrive and give the best possible start to the generations who follow.