Every initiative is an outcome of self-deprivation. This Jarung Girls Hostel for Education is one of a kind of that self-deprivation. When Shanti was small as she was completing primary school, junior high school was a dream in that village, Antaha Para. Her elder brother Borthol, who understood the meaning of education in life and especially for girls, she took her and moved with her to the main town, 17 kilometer away from Antahapara for basic simple education. Borthol took with Shanti few more girls and began this struggle to teach, train and educate these girls in 2003. Shanti along with others, finished junior school, high school from Bandarban town and then moved to the capital city Dhaka to finish her graduation. Torturous days with limitless limitation, dreams like blue sky, did not stop her from thinking big out of her village. She joined in the journey to provide facilities to girls from her village, also girls from other tribes and villages. Since 2003 till now, both Shanti and her brother, provided facilities to bring the light of education to these simple girls from lushy green mountains and tried to make them a small lamp which would provide light in the darkness of social norms and myths. The small hostel has 27 girls from many villages and from other districts of beautiful town of Bandarban. Struggles are many, from raising fund to pay rent, to buy three meals for these girls. She saved money from her pocket money and in installment bought chairs to sit, tables to read and eat, bed to sleep for girls. They have moved from a shanty house of wild leaves to 6 rooms’ cemented rented house, again back to Tin Roof House due to support, a little far away from Bandarban town.
Bandarban: Bandarban is one of the remote hill districts of Bangladesh and part of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, with an area of 4,479 km² with population 292,900. The newly reported highest peak of Bangladesh - SakaHaphong (3488 ft) is also here in Bandarban District. Geographically, Bandarban is situated in the far southeast corner of Bangladesh with beautiful hills and foliage. It is a beautiful place, but is yet to be developed. There is a lack of communication systems, hospitals, clinics, schools and colleges, technical schools, and universities. Higher education is not available though there is a huge need. There are 6 sub-districts, above 95% people lives on agriculture and the general income level of most of them is bellow USD $ 25. The tribal areas in the sub-districts are quite undeveloped. Transportation is mainly by foot through the mountainous area. Children have to walk miles to school. Many children do not attend school because of the distance. There are no medical facilities outside of the main town of Bandarban so patients must also walk many miles for evaluation and treatment.
Bangladesh: The only country in the world who fought for language. 21st February is celebrated today all over the world, as International Mother Language Day. A country which fought for 9 long months to be liberated in 1971. Political rivalry, corruption and social norms, engulfing this war trodden country for years together. But in the midst of all these limitations, people from the plain land moved far ahead with education and opportunities in life. Where the people from the hills were left behind, only the ones who could join hands only got opportunities to grow and developed. People from all hilly areas, understood that, if they do not mix with the people of the main stream they will be left out and thrown away. Today, many development activities, health programs for mother and child, education programs for pre-school goers, economic development programs to bring sustainability in the hills is in progress. Besides all the limitations, we believe, hilly areas will marginally developed and poverty level will be eliminated.
Shanti: Shanti understood that if she would like to bring changes in her village and in her life, she needs to do something different. She need to mix directly with main stream people. With hundreds of limitations, she took courage and got married to Bengali person from main land, whom she liked in her college days. God brought them together, as both have the same spirit to do something for the youth and children of Bangladesh. She got married to a man name Rana, who has compassion for youth and spent years in teaching training and inspiring young people all over Bangladesh. Shanti along with elder brother Borthol, is running the hostel, where Rana advise them how to make it better with whatever they have and whichever possible ways. God is with them as they are praying every day for the girls of the girls’ hostel.