The Most Vulnerable Citizen
Children living in the slums are the most disadvantaged citizens of the entire population of Bangladesh! When we think of
March 6, 2020
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A project to provide basic education and day-care service for kids living in slums
Children living in the slums are the most disadvantaged citizens of the entire population of Bangladesh! When we think of a deprived child, traditionally the picture that comes in our mind is that of a child in a rural village. But today, an increasing number of children living in slums and shantytowns are among the most disadvantaged and vulnerable in the world, deprived of the most basic services and denied the right to thrive. These children are often “invisible” to the decision makers and become lost in the hazy statistical average that conceals grave inequalities.
Every year all the students of SpaandanB schools receive the following educational materials-
SpaandanB provides nutritious refreshment (banana, egg, cake) to all the students on every school day. This provides a much needed boost to the energy of the students which in turn increase the attentiveness to learning. Besides that, each year students receive basic health checkups from doctors. SpaandanB provides hygiene materials to all the students. Time to time, the families also receive basic food supplies from SpaandanB.
Music is vital for childhood development. It improves brain development and relieves stress. It is particularly important for children growing up in stressful environment. SpaandanB partners with “Playing for Change” foundation to provide weekly music lessons to the students. Designated music teaches provide vocal and instrumental lessons to the students.
Art instruction helps children with the development of motor skills, language skills, social skills, decision-making, risk-taking, and inventiveness. Keeping this in mind, each week qualified teachers provide art lessons to all the students of SpaandanB schools. All the necessary art materials are supplied by the schools.
Field trips enrich and expand the curriculum, strengthen observation skills by immersing children into sensory activities. SpaandanB values this and arranges multiple field trips to places of national importance like Shahid Minar, Jatio Sriti Shoudho, National Museum.
Throughout the year SpaandanB schools participate in various sports and class activities. Schools observe special national days like Ekushe February, Independence Day, Pohela Boishakh, Victory Day.
SpaandanB schools hold regular meetings among teachers and parents to provide feedback about the learning status of the students. This also serves as an important time to listen to issues the families face in the daily lives and provide valuable suggestions.
In 2011, SpaandanB Bangladesh office decided to establish two primary education centers in Dhaka slum, one in Kallyanpur and the other in Gabtoli. Since then SpaandanB has established or co-established 4 education centers. Details of each of them follows.
SpaandanB Biddalai (Gabtali)
This center is located in Ananda Nagar, Mirpur, Gabtali, Dhaka. Established as a pre-school in 2011, this education center has classes up to grade 8. 350 students learn in this center in three shifts under the care of 10 teachers and 6 support stuffs.
SpaandanB Kallayanpur Day Care Center
This center is located in near House Building Research Institute at Darussalam, Mirpur, Dhaka. Established in 2011, this center has been providing education from play group to grade 8. 220 students are enrolled into this school. The center is operated by 7 teachers, one care-giver and one super-visor.
SpaandanB Prathomic Biddalai (Mohammadpur)
In 2012 SpaandanB established this primary education center at Shahjalal housing, Beribad, Mohammadpur, Dhaka. From pre-school to grade 5, about 200 students study at this center. 7 regular teachers provide education in 2 shifts.
SpaandanB Shuchana Shikkha Kendra (Mohammadpur)
In 2013, SpaandanB established Shuchana Shikkha Kendra at Chand Uddan, Beribad, Mohammedpur, Dhaka. SpaandanB runs this center from funds received from local donors. This school has play group to grade 5 and attended by about 150 students. 7 teachers and one support stuff operate at this school. The school is run in two shifts. Everyday students are provided with light refreshment.
Children living in the slums are the most disadvantaged citizens of the entire population of Bangladesh! When we think of
In the midst of my brief excursion in Bangladesh, I had the privilege of visiting two of the schools for
SpaandanB is a nonprofit charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) of the US Internal Revenue Code. The tax id for SpaandanB is 77-0479128.
Phone: +1 (408) 836-4534
Email: info@spaandanb.org
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 64183, Sunnyvale, CA 94088, USA
Bangladesh Office:
Phone: +880 2 48114499
Address: 302 Mirpur Road, Shyamoli, Mohammadpur, Dhaka 1207
SpaandanB is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All U.S. donations are tax deductible and qualifies for company matching in most cases.
