Model School in Sundarban

Amidst worldwide fast spreading Covid-19 all our educational units, also got closed for indefinite period following the govt. order of nationwide lockdown and closure of education institutions.

We regret only for this reason we are not able to provide timely reporting.

Also the severe cyclone ‘Amphan’ on 20^th May, 2000 with around 200 Km/hour gale wind devastated Sunderbans vastly including many of our establishments through which we support to the deprived vulnerable marginalized communities in deep hard to reach Sunderbans.

But we are in consistent touch with all our pupils who mostly belong to financially back trodden families in deep remote Sunderbans. In our efforts to provide quality education to these children and an opportunity to make them enter the world of knowledge to become responsible citizens and true contenders for all future hurdles they have to cross through and build their own identity.

We are still looking ahead to get our model school in deep Sunderbans – ‘Kishalaya Sishu Siksha Niketan’ reopen after the continuing prolonged lockdown. So do our students.

Case of one such shy little girl Nanda* that portrays our efforts is given today here.

Nanda* Giri is a shy, timid but smiling 7 years old little girl studies in 1^st Standard of the Model School in the remote village of deep Sunderbans run by Sabuj Sangha ‘Kishalaya Sishu Siksha Niketan’-(KSSN). Her father Mr. Arnab* Girl is a daily labourer and earns around INR rupees 4000.00 per month. Her mother, Amba* Giri is a home maker and also looks after Nanda*’s education. Though poor they are highly active to break all obstacles in way of their daughter’s education. With a hope of bright future they started sending their daughter Nanda* in our school two years back in 2018.

Nanda* is a fast learner and good in English & Bengali language both. She feels Bengali as her favourite subject. She performs quiet well in both the language. Also she is an eager participant in co-curricular activities. Her aptitude to leadership is observed during games played in the playground.

Nanda* lives with her parents in a mud house, which is now at a damaged state with the super cyclone ‘Amphan’. It has become totally uninhabitable. At present they are staying in a neighbour’s house. His father expressed his experience in sorrow: “It was really a horrible night. When the cyclone started, we all left the house and taken shelter in a cyclone management camp. We passed the night sleepless & with deep fear. Next day when we came back saw our house totally ramshackle. We don’t know what will happen now.”

With continuous lock down Nanda*’s father is now without regular earning. They are deeply worried with uncertain present and future.

But- Nanda* being a kid with full of hopes waiting to get her school open again …to walk again with school bag at her back…

* Names of all individuals altered to maintain safety and privacy.