16 year old Bristi Akhter looks
out from her makeshift home in the residential area behind the
Olympic Circus, October 31, 2013 in Jamsha, Bangladesh. Bristi, was
born into the circus. Last month she got married to her cousin last
month, dropped out of school when she was 14 years old to start
performing.
Two circus performers ride an
elephant past the circus tent of the Olympic Circus, November 1,
2013 in Jamsha, Bangladesh
Baby Akhter Sultang holds her 3
year old son, Shobujh as she watches a performance through the
curtains at the Olympic Circus, October 31, 2013 in Jamsha,
Bangladesh. Baby, who doesn't know her age, grew up in the circus
without ever having the chance to attend school. She has been
performing for 6 years, does not enjoy performing but says she
stays because she needs the money.
(L-R)16 year old Bristi Akhter
has her hair checked for bugs by her mother, Sheuliy, in the
residential area behind the Olympic Circus, October 31, 2013 in
Jamsha, Bangladesh.
8 year old Puja Sarker looks
through the curtain of her makeshift home in the residential area
of the Olympic Circus, October 30, 2013 in Jamsha, Bangladesh. Puja
was born into the circus, as were her parents, and never had the
chance to attend school. She performs in the circus spinning with
hula hoops.
7 year old Nishan practices
performing with his father, Mohammad Moshroom, before they work in
the Olympic Circus, November 1, 2013 in Jamsha,
Bangladesh.
Men try to purchase tickets
through the window of the Olympic Circus
8 year old Puja Sarker performs
at the Olympic Circus, November 1, 2013 in Jamsha, Bangladesh. Puja
was born into the circus, as were her parents, and never had the
chance to attend school.
Sheuliy, shuts her eyes as Rezaul
Karim throws flaming knives at her during a performance at the
Olympic Circus, October 31, 2013 in Jamsha, Bangladesh. Sheuliy,
who doesn't know her age, got married to another circus worker when
she was 10 or 11 years old. She never had a chance to go to school.
Rezaul, who is 52 years old, joined the circus when he was a
teenager. He dropped out of school when he was 12 years old. Rezaul
enjoys his work in the circus. He like performing and watching his
friends perform, and he enjoys the music. Generations of low income
families are born into circuses with rarely the hope of ever
working in different profession or escaping the harsh realities of
the circus.
A young boy looks out from a
performance drum
