Razia Begum, who lost her daughter and son-in-law in the disastrous Rana Plaza collapse, seemed somewhat happy yesterday when she along with her grandson, Bijoy, came to the newly-built premises of Songkolon Primary School, a charitable initiative, at Anandapur of Savar.
Bijoy was admitted to the specialised school in class I early January when the Songkolon Bangladesh Trust authorities launched academic activities under the open sky as the school had only one small room.
But yesterday, Bijoy and over hundred others were overwhelmed to see their new school building with five well-furnished class rooms. The preliminary facilities also include playground and computer education.
Jotsna Begum was relieved as she was asked to enrol her two children – Siam and Sima–in the school where the children are offered education in non-traditional method under the supervision of teachers having university degrees. The headmaster is a doctorate from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, USA.
Shahidul Islam Khokan, father of the two children who lost his fingers and had severe injuries to his head and legs during the fall of Rana Plaza, has been unable to work now. He was rescued on the fourth day of rescue operation.
Selina Akhter, mother of class I student Helal, said she had been rescued from under the rubbles two days after the collapse of Rana Plaza on April 24 last year.The three-member family is too poor to manage three meals a day as her day labourer husband earns very little money let alone has the ability to bear the cost of education for their child. After she survived, her husband and parents have been asking her not to join any other garment factory.
The multi-purpose school currently has classes from I-IV and seven teachers. The total number of students is 132, said Kazi Monir Hossain Rintu, secretary and executive director of the trust.
“We have started a huge task; now all of us will have to carry it forward through individual and other contributions. We ask for donations and sponsorship of the children to bear the operational costs every month.”
He said most of the families had not paid Tk100 as admission fee or the monthly fee of Tk25. “But still, we have been providing the children with maximum possible stationary items they need, and computer and internet facilities.”
Currently the school is being operated in a single shift while adult education programme along with other activities would be held in the evening. The governing body has plans to expand the operation up to secondary level.
The initial cost of the establishment was around Tk14 lakh while the authorities would need Tk1.5 lakh every month to bear the operational costs.
During the informal inauguration of the school compound yesterday, several donors and aid agency representatives were present. Members of voluntary organisation Amra, which works in collaboration with MuktoTarunnofounded by Rintu himself after the man-made disaster,and the teachers’ panel were also there.
The premises got a festive look in the morning because of their presence as well as the painters’ giving final touch on the walls. All the children and parents were served sweets.
Oporajeo expanded
The second project of Songkolon Bangladesh Trust is Oporajeo (undefeated), an export-oriented jute and cotton bag factory where around 35 men and women work. All of them are either victims of the deadly incident or represent families that lost the only earning members.
Yesterday, the factory was shifted to a new building in Anandapur area with improved working environment and having more machines. It would create more jobs for the vulnerable families.
The factory having unique features was founded in mid 2013 and the authorities have plans to expand it into a 200-member factory soon – with the help of individual and organisational contributors – as part of the Trust’s rehabilitation programmes.
The workers of the factory own it and are given profit share, medical care and educational assistance by the Trust. Five percent of the total profit of Oporajeo is meant for the school, said Rintu.
Trustee Board Chairman Sami Al Islam, Vice-Chairman Akku Chowdhury, Executive Member and also a worker of the factory Helena Parvin were present at the function.
