With the hope of a better living, the poverty-stricken two kids left their home at Masdair village near BSIC Industrial Area in Narayanganj on June 23.

Their family sources said over two weeks back Moushumi and Rabu went out for playing at noon. But they did not return home during lunch like other days.

Guardians of the two kids searched everywhere for them but in vain.

After 22 days, they got back their kids yesterday thanks to Protection of Children at Risk (PCAR) Project of social services directorate.

Secretary to the Ministry of Social Welfare MA Hai Haoladar handed them over to their guardians at the directorate.

PCAR Divisional Project Coordinator (Dhaka) told The Daily Star that one of the peers of Voluntary Association for Rural Development (VARD), a partner NGO of PCAR in Sylhet, found Moushumi and Rabu at Shibganj Bazar on June 26 when some persons were engaged in bargaining for them.

As the peer approached them for quizzing, they fled the scene.

The peer then brought them to Drop In Centre (DIC) of VARD and after interrogation the officials became sure that the girls were about to fall victim of trafficking.

Moushumi said a person, introducing himself as their uncle at Kamalapur Railway Station, took them to his house and handed them to a woman called Jesmin.

But Moushumi could not tell clearly how they came to Sylhet.

The grandfather of Moushumi said she was left to him by her parents when she was three years old.

"As I am unable to look after her due to old age and financial insolvency, I want her to stay at a Shishu Paribar," he added.

Rabu's mother also wants to keep her youngest daughter at Shishu Paribar as she has to lead a seven-member family alone by working at a garment factory. Rabu's father also left her mother.

When asked, Rabu said Moushumi had told her that they would have good food and money if they go to Dhaka.