Challenged Julekha strives to complete education
Julekha Akter, 21, from Gobindopur village in Hoglapasha union of Bagherhat's Morelgonj upazila has to travel quite a distance to reach her Pirojpur college. Two three-wheeler journeys are involved, each for a fare of Tk 30. She needs to cross the Baleshwar River, which is free, and walk fifteen minutes further with the help of an iron stick. Julekha only has one leg.
“If I can complete my course I hope I can get a job,” she says. “I want to be a teacher.”
The mason's daughter was born physically impaired. The family wasn't rich but her father used to manage family expenses satisfactorily, until around six years ago when he fell sick with lung cancer. Eighteen months later he was dead.
“We had two cows that we took from an organisation,” recalls Julekha. “But we were forced to sell them to manage money for my father's treatment.” His illness cost the family its savings, which has added to Julekha's education struggle.
“I couldn't sit my first year final examination last year due to our financial crisis,” says the student of Pirojpur Government Suhrawardy College. “Though my exams are now due to start in January, I haven't been able to buy all the books I need.”
Julekha completed her Secondary School Certificate in 2011 and Higher School Certificate in 2013, after which she enrolled in the degree course. Her two sisters Asma and Lima Akter are also students, though the elder Asma, who was a Higher School Certificate Candidate this year, has since stopped attending college due to the family's inability to pay the exam fee.
Julekha's mother Rabeya Begum receives a widow's allowance and Julekha has a disability pension. Besides, they have a small areca nut garden which earns a little and Rabeya works at neighbouring houses. More recently the family has benefited from the government's Tk 10 per kilogram rice initiative. “Apart from money,” says Julekha, “I don't feel any difficulty.”
“Although she is physically impaired Julekha is not a burden,” says Rabeya. “She is trying to do something for herself and for our family; but I don't know for how long she will be able to attend college.”
Julekha's only thought is to complete her study somehow and after graduation to get a job. “I want to alleviate the economic hardship of my family,” she says. But it's not only the way to college that is long for her; life's journey is proving to be similarly arduous.
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