When a little help goes a long way
When the pandemic hit, many displaced and impoverished families moved back to their native homes to survive the difficult time. Sujon had just got promoted to the fifth grade a bit before the pandemic started and his reality was no different.
The 11-year-old moved back to Narail for some time and then, forced by poverty, started working in a store near his abandoned Dhaka residence. He feared that his days of attending school were over.
After learning about Sujon, Mostafizur Rahman, associate director of SpaandanB, paid him a visit at the store. He had a conversation with the store owner and tried convincing him to allow Sujon to continue his studies once schools reopened.
After persistent effort, Sujon was back in school again.
This is how-- SpandaanB, a non-profit organisation created by expatriate Bangladeshi- Americans -- makes a difference. The organisation embarked on its journey in 1998. It was born out of the initiative of a few expatriates who wanted to give back to their country.
Headquartered in San Francisco Bay area, SpaandanB maintains its operational footprint in Bangladesh through the Dhaka office.
In 2011, SpaandanB Bangladesh office established two primary education centres in Dhaka -- one in Kallyanpur and the other in Gabtoli. Since then SpaandanB has established or co-established four education centres, expanding in Mohammadpur.
"We used to find kids roaming around the area, selling different items or working at shops or as human-haulier assistants and talk to them. Most were interested to go to school. We asked them to make us meet with their parents. After talking to them, most of these children got the permission to be enrolled in school," Mostafizur told The Daily Star.
"Our journey had started with just 1,200 students, 29 teachers and seven support staff. The first batch of students who enrolled here will be giving SSC this year," he added.
"We provide the students with uniforms, books, food and school supplies so that they can have a proper formal education experience," informed the assistant director.
Students study up to 8th grade at the SpaandanB schools before moving on while remaining under the organisation's supervision till they discover the next chapter of their lives. They provide different scholarship stipends and grants.
The organisation is looking into vocational training options for graduates as well.
"The Covid-19 situation made a lot of families move to native homes or engage their children to work. We try to intervene in this situation by talking to their guardians and finding a solution to their issues. Sometimes children drop out anyway but we still try to use our resources to help them continue their education," said Shapla Khatun, headteacher of the Kallayanpur centre.
"Our students love to learn and we try to make education an enjoyable experience for them. Some of them are attracted to come to school for the recreational activities we have for them. It keeps them motivated to keep coming to school," she added.
Besides the SpandaanB School, the organisation hosts a total of 19 Projects. The Haridashi Woman and Child Care and Nutrition Centre (HWCCNC) and Rural Talent Advancement Project (RTAP) are some of those.
Zakia Afrin, general secretary of SpandaanB, said, "Over the years, SpaandanB saw the reach and scope of its projects grow manifold, primarily due to constant championship by its donors and well-wishers. Expatriate Bangladeshis living in the USA constitute a large portion of the donor base. However, of late, there has been a considerable upsurge in local benefactors from within Bangladesh."
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