Educational aid brings smiles to poor kids

Nipen Biswas could have been out laboring in the fields or working as a servant in the house of a wealthy family like his parents.

Bishop Gervas Rozario distributes school supplies to poor children on March 4

Instead, the 12-year-old is attending school every day thanks to a special initiative introduced by Bishop Gervas Rozario of Rajshahi diocese.

“I’ve really wanted to attend school regularly to learn many things and see my friends. But my parents didn’t want me to because they couldn’t afford school supplies” such as books, pencils and pens, said the tribal Paharia Catholic.

“I’m grateful to God and to the bishop for enabling me to get everyday schooling,” added the fifth grader.

There are hundreds of impoverished children living in slums and makeshift dwellings along the roadside in Rajshahi, a northwestern town. Many are tribal Catholics whose parents are struggling to put food on the table as well as buy clothes for their families. As a result, many parents are unable to put their children through school, even though primary education is free here, as they cannot afford to buy school materials.

Bishop Rozario is trying to change all this. In March, he launched a program to get both Christian and non-Christian tribal children into the classroom, during which he distributed school supplies to them.

“Every day, while out walking, I see these slum dwellers living a miserable life,” recalled the prelate. “They are so poverty-stricken, they can’t send their children to school.”

The prelate, who is chairman of the Episcopal Commission for Social Communications, continued: “I started contacting some NGOs with the help of my secretary to obtain school supplies for these kids. Hopefully, we can give them a brighter future. Otherwise, a lack of academic and moral education might make them prey to an uncertain future, and probably to anti-social acts.”

The program has so far provided 70 children with items such as pencils, pens and books. Another 150 children are expected to be given these school essentials soon.

Poor children are all smiles after receiving school supplies

Bishop Rozario’s secretary Sister Celine Marandi, who co-ordinates the program, said the program will see to it that children receive their text books at the beginning of the year. Other school supplies will be provided three times a year, she added.

“We contacted Christian NGOs such as Caritas, World Vision, the Mennonite Central Committee and Jaytun (a local NGO),” she said. “We asked them to help the children by providing us with financial support or school essentials. Their response was very positive and they are supporting the program,” said the nun who belongs to the Catechist Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

“This kind of help is necessary to give these kids a future, and for the betterment of society, country and the Church,” Sister Celine added.

Like Nipen Biswas, 16-year-old Mohan Biswas (no relation) is also benefiting from the program.

“I had thought of stopping school because my parents couldn’t provide me with anything. It was embarrassing to go to school with nothing,” the eighth grader said. “Many thanks to Bishop Gervas for all the help he’s giving to street kids like me. I promise I will work for the country when I finish my education,” he added, smiling.