Trackback URL
Download PDF Among many good Samaritans who came forward with aid for the Sidr victims in Kuakata, Shibli Mostafa definitely stands out.
Around 150 local children, shocked by the devastation of Sidr, gather every day at Shibli’s Children Debate Training Centre beside the sea dyke and spend three hours of educational activities followed by a welcome evening meal which remains a big worry for the Sidr-hit low income group locals.
The programme was launched by a group of friends under the banner of “Mamar Bari” immediately after the cyclone devastated the region.
“Following Sidr’s attack, I noticed that the children were left traumatised and unattended by their parents who were busy rebuilding their houses,” Shibli, executive director of an NGO, Working for Better Life, told The Daily Star.
Children in this part of the country are often victims of malnourishment and early marriage and the school dropout rate is also quite high, he said, adding, “Sidr has left them more vulnerable to diseases.”
Shibli said he feared many children who have lost their textbooks and whose schools were damaged in the cyclone might consequently lose interest in education. Many families may marry off their teenage girls during this time of hardship, he said, citing the example of 12-year-old Tahmina whose parents were preparing for her marriage.
“I thought this was a golden opportunity to gather the children and do something that will have a long-lasting effect on their lives besides helping them recover from the trauma,” he said. “My idea was to keep these children involved in education.”
He contacted a few friends and shared his idea with them, seeking their help. In a short time, Shibli got some funds to start the programme.
He employed some workers of Working for Better Life as instructors and used the infrastructure of the NGO for accommodating the children.
And indeed, “Mamar Bari” has brought relief to many families.
“We are now busy in rebuilding our houses. And it is very relieving for me to have my son’s food secured for a day,” said Shahinoor Begum, mother of 12-year-old Ibrahim who attends the programme.
However, as essentials are hardly available in the local markets, Shibli finds it hard to procure food for the programme.
“We have to go to far away places to buy eggs, vegetables and fish. We need the supply to continue for at least three more months for the programme,” he said.
The good news is that Shibli is going to extend the programme ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. “We are going for three meals a day and also extending the education programme,” he said, adding that ActionAid has agreed to assist the programme.
The number of students is also increasing from today as around 150 more children are going to attend the programme, Shibli said.
Comments are not moderated and only expresses personal views of visitors. BangladeshNews.com.bd is not responsible for commets posted by visitors.
Leave a Reply