A school born of hope

Children living in the shoals (char) along the Teesta and Dharla rivers in Lalmonirhat are often deprived of quality education due to remoteness and poor communication with the mainland.

Witnessing this while working with various voluntary organisations, Nayem Rahaman, an undergraduate student of Lalmonirhat Government College, decided to help facilitate education for these children. In 2022, he founded Lalmoni Bidyapith, a voluntary educational initiative, with support from his friends.

Since then, the initiative has been spreading the light of education through four learning centres -- in Dawkir Char and Gobordhan Char on the Teesta riverbed under Aditmari upazila, and in Falimari Char and Khatamari Char on the Dharla riverbed under Sadar upazila. About 20 young volunteers are currently working with him.

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With the slogan “Shoal children are not lagging behind in talent, but in opportunity”, the initiative now teaches around 50 school dropouts and underprivileged children in each shoal while providing necessary educational materials free of cost.

Initially, Nayem and his friends ran the initiative by raising funds among themselves, but they now receive support from donors and well-wishers.

Lalmoni Bidyapith also provides basic training in technical skills and access to technology. It raises awareness among children and their parents -- covering around 800 families -- on issues such as child marriage, superstition, health practices, and nutrition.

Courtyard meetings with women are held at least twice a month in each shoal, focusing on preventing child marriage and improving maternal health and child nutrition.

Arrangements have also been made for sewing and handicraft training for women from impoverished families, enabling them to generate income from alternative sources.

Jim Akhtar Jui, 12, from Khatamari Char, said she had dropped out after studying up to third grade. She later resumed her studies when Lalmoni Bidyapith began operating in the area.

“We are taught three days a week from morning till noon. I work in the fields with my parents on other days. I feel thrilled to have the opportunity to study again. We are also given books, notebooks, pens, and clothes,” she said.

Echoing her, Sakina Akhtar, 11, from Gobordhan Char, said they sometimes receive computing lessons as well.

Meherun Begum, a parent from Falimari Char, said her son and daughter had dropped out after fourth grade and used to help with household and farm work. They have now resumed their studies at the learning centre.

“They can now study alongside working with us. They receive all educational materials. The people of Lalmoni Bidyapith are also raising awareness on different issues. Many women are taking sewing and handicraft training. I am also planning to join,” she said.

Moslem Uddin, another parent from Dawkir Char, said locals are happy that the initiative is helping educate children from needy families.

Maysa Marzan, a volunteer and Nayem’s friend, said, “We teach the children ourselves and contribute financially as much as we can. We do this work out of our own satisfaction.”

Nayem said they aim to expand the initiative to 16 more shoals this year, but financial constraints remain a major challenge.

“Children in the shoals have talent, but without opportunities they cannot flourish. If given even a little opportunity, they can do much better,” he said.

“My friends are helping, and many donors are now coming forward. If children from the shoals are educated, they will one day become assets to their community and the country. We also plan to take full responsibility for some children in the future,” he added.