Children in the char area experience a slightly different life compared to those on the mainland due to their upbringing in poverty. A child who has endured natural disasters and poverty cannot envision a colourful life or a loving environment. Their dreams are as faint as faded black and white.
Bashundhara Shuvosangho has come forward to give colourful dreams to all the char children.
The Bashundhara Group's volunteer platform established a community school in Char Agasti under Galachipa upazila in Patuakhali last year to prevent school dropouts among children.
The business conglomerate also ensured the provision of transportation and other necessary facilities for the char children.
Children from impoverished families who initially worked to support their parents are now all attending school.
The children now have vivid dreams, and their parents are optimistic about altering their livelihood's fate.
Many Char people now dream of becoming proud parents by educating their child, and Team Bashundhara Shuvosangho is working diligently to make these dreams a reality.
Char Agasti village of Charbiswam union is near the bend of Tentulia River from Galachipa Sadar. The area is popularly known as Ghasir Char. Being outside the Wabda embankment and on the banks of the river, the village is easily flooded by tidal water.
About 400 families in this village, cut off from the mainland of Charbiswam union, primarily rely on fishing and agriculture.
Low-income families lack interest in education due to the lack of a nearby primary school, but every parent dreams of educating their children.
Due to the low income, the children of the families here have little interest in education. There was no primary school nearby, but every parent dreams of educating their children.
But the school is far away. As there is no road, the char is constantly flooded with tidal water. Children don't even go to school anymore.
Bashundhara Shuvosangho has successfully transformed the dreams of children and parents by providing education to impoverished families in the remote Char village.
Now, the children in this remote Char village will be enriched through education, fostering the growth of their intellect and mind.
Children, who once hunted fish with their father or helped mother with household chores, now wear school clothes, new shoes, and carry bags to school.
Sumaiya, who was seven years old at the time, did not begin attending school. Bashundhara Shuvosangho members convinced her parents to admit her to school last year, and this year she is studying in first class.
'I have a dream to be a teacher in the future," she said.
Around 76 children from families like Sumaiya who are economically disadvantaged are enrolled in Bashundhara Shuvosangho School.
Ruma Begum, mother of student Sahana, said, “I was worried whether I should get admission in Bashundhara Shuvosangho School or not. I thought it would be difficult to get admission.”
Jewel, a resident of Charbiswam village, said, "Since the beginning, I have been working with Bashundhara Shuvosangho School. Children of three other localities here still cannot go to school as government schools are far away.
Bashundhara Group's role in spreading education in remote areas will be remembered.
He expressed gratitude to Bashundhara Group on behalf of the people of Charbiswaw union.
“We could not have imagined that a private institution would play a role in spreading education in Char Agasti of the remote Char Biswas Union of Galachipa. Bashundhara Shuvosangho School has lit the lamp of education in our remote areas,” he added.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
