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Spain and Caritas join hands to build schools

Updated: February 24, 2010 07:32 AM GMT
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Benedict Alo D’Rozario (2nd from right) and Bishop Gervas Rozario (extreme right) welcome Arturo Perez Martinez (center)
Benedict Alo D’Rozario (2nd from right) and Bishop Gervas Rozario (extreme right) welcome Arturo Perez Martinez (center)
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RAJSHAHI, Bangladesh (UCAN) -- A joint project between the Spanish government and the local Church’s social action arm, Caritas, is bringing education to thousands of poor children in rural Bangladesh. “I know the people of Bangladesh are hospitable, cultural-minded and interested in education. When I go back to my country I will convey this message to our people so that they can assist more in promoting education for underprivileged children in this country” said Arturo Perez Martinez, the Spanish ambassador. Martinez was speaking to 5,000 people during the official opening of Joyda Primary School yesterday [Feb. 23] in Godagari sub-district of northwestern Rajshahi. “Education can free people from the curse of poverty. Educated people can prosper in life and they can hold good positions in society and serve the country,” Martinez said. The new school is the latest addition to a 59-school construction project jointly financed by the Spanish government and Caritas Bangladesh. Bishop Gervas Rozario of Rajshahi was guest of honor and Caritas Bangladesh executive director Benedict Alo D’Rozario was chairperson of the ceremony.

‘We are still backward in terms of education’

Bishop Rozario thanked the Spanish government for its assistance. “I hope the underprivileged children who will now benefit from education will work for the welfare of society … in the future,” the prelate said in his speech. “We’re still backward in terms of education and that hinders our prosperity” the bishop said. According to Caritas education officer Suklesh Costa, Caritas Bangladesh asked Caritas Spain for help in promoting education through a rural school building project a few years ago. “Responding to the call, Caritas Spain, along with the Spanish government, donated 24,269,157 taka [US$356,752] to the project while Caritas Bangladesh put up 4,695,000 taka,” he told UCA News. The Caritas office in Rajshahi said construction of the schools took about a year. They are located in 20 sub-districts of six northwestern districts: Rajshahi, Sirajgonj, Pabna, Natore, Chapai Nawabgonj and Naogaon. Presently, about 4,500 rural children, from kindergarten to third grade, study in these schools. Pius Hasdak, 28, a tribal Santal Catholic teacher from the newly opened Joyda school told UCA News, “Educational assistance from the Spanish government has meant a lot for tribal people in the area. In the long run it will help to improve our socio-economic condition.” BA08934/1590 February 24, 2010 44 EM-lines (380 words) Caritas helps keep Bangladeshis warm Caritas slashes programs due to global economic crisis Caritas grants keep bright tribal youngsters from dropping out
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