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Chill penury and communication disruptions repressed potentials of Zishan, Zidan, Salma, Mariam and Rabiul. These children were deprived of their right to education.
Like many others, they used to go to agricultural fields or markets to earn money and support families. The area lacked nearby school with parents reluctant to send their children to remote places for study. Now, the children are very happy to get Shuvosangho School established under the financial support of the Bashundhara Group, the country’s largest industrial conglomerate.
The whole char is going to turn a study hub due to regular presence of children in the school.
Recently, Shuvosangho School was established at Char Agusti Mujib Kella village at Charbiswash union in Galachipa upazila under Patuakhali.
Shuvosangho, a social welfare organisation of the Bashundhara Group’s vernacular daily Kaler Kantho, established the school to spread light of education in the remote char area, reports Daily Sun.
Carrying two bundles of books, Redwan Talal, Mizanur Rahman and Lutfor Rahman of Shuvosangho moved from Galachipa sadar to Banyatoli ghat by motorcycle. Their destination was a char which required crossing of Tentulia river. The sky was cloudy and river tumultuous. However, the inclement weather could not deter them from sending the books to the children. The little students of the Shuvosangho school were waiting for the new books. They boarded a drawler which was kept ready at the Banyatoli ghat. Reaching Charkajal ghat, they hired an auto-rickshaw to go to Char Agusti Mujib Kella which is 17km away. They moved westward from the WAPDA embankment at Gazi market and saw a signboard of the Shuvosangho school. A tin-shed structure of the school is just a few yards off. Little students were waiting for new books. No sooner had Shuvosangho team reached the school than the students approached to them. Many guardians accompanied their children. Later, the children sat in queue and received the books. Their pleasure knew no bounds. They stood beside schoolteacher Sahina Akter to pose for photo.
On May 2, 2023, the 7th Shuvosangho school started its journey with 35 students through distribution of books. Md Mizanur Rahman, president of Charbiswash unit of Shuvosangho, presided over the book distribution ceremony which was attended by social worker Abu Sayem Gazi, Redwan Talal, Lutfor Rahman Awlad, Ashim Mandal, Md Jewel and Mahinor Hossain.
Char Agusti village consists of 300 families which are dependent on fishing and other humble jobs. The village is marked by poverty, illiteracy and child marriage. The girls are married at the age of 13-14. The boys go to fishing or agricultural works along with their parents. The whole char was devoid of school. Given the circumstances, the Bashundhara Group moved to spread light of literacy. The school was established with financial support of the largest business conglomerate of the country. Shuvosangho school started its journey not only to boost literacy but also confidence, joy and self-dignity. The parents often visit the school to know update of their kids. The school pushes joy of children to new heights.
Sathi, mother of student named Salma, said, “Earlier, I left the village for Dhaka for livelihood. After some years, I came back. My daughter was not admitted to any government school for being distant. However, Shuvosangho school is located at our doorstep. Now, my daughter (Salma) will go to school every day.”
About inclement weather, she said her village gets submerged during monsoon or tidal surge, prompting the villagers to construct bamboo-made bridge which is quite risky for movement of children. “The Shuvosangho school has paved the way for study of my daughter. Now, I will encourage other children to be enrolled in the school,” she opined.
Md Shahidul Islam, a day labourer of the village, said “I lost my elder son who drowned in nearby water-body. My younger son is now six years old. I was afraid of sending him to any remote school. Now, Shuvosangho has facilitated risk-free study of my child.”
Like Salma, Zishan, Zidan and Mariam, 35 children are going to school every day, fighting inclement weather and other adversities. Many children of the village were aloof from study for not having nearby school and complicated communications. Although some children were admitted to distant school, they did not join classes and examinations. These children used to spend an idle time at home. The communication is comparatively easier in summer than the rainy season. Abu Sayem Gazi, a social worker, extended logistic support to Shuvosangho in establishing the school.
“The village was in the abyss of darkness for lack of literacy since long. Now, light of education sweeps the neighborhood. It was a longstanding dream of my father and me to establish a school. Such dream has been materialised with support of Bashundhara Group and Shuvosangho. This noble initiative will be remembered by the villagers forever. I will look after the school like my child. My support will be available if and when needed. Besides, I will ensure enrollment of all children of the village in the school.”
Bd-pratidin English/Golam Rosul
