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Silent revolution in a remote village

Poor girls educated with modern outlook at a Nilphamari children's home campaign against illiteracy, dowry, early marriage

EAM ASADUZZAMAN, Nilphamari
It is a children's home for the poor in a remote village. But it is indeed a centre for developing a generation of educated girls with a modern outlook, a movement to free the society from illiteracy, early marriage and dowry.
All the 34 inmates of 'Chadmoni Children's Home' at Chaoradangi village in Jaldhaka upazila are good students at different schools.
They also learn sewing and handicraftsmaking, take part in cultural programmes at the Home and run an adult literacy centre there. There is also a library facility.
The founders of this exceptional institution are a childless couple Pizirul Alam, 61, retired AGM of Uttara Bank and Motahara Alam, a former teacher of Fulkoli Nursury School in Dhaka.
A man of progressive ideas, Alam set up the Home at his village in 1999, spending all the money he got after retirement.
He moved village to village, talked to schools teachers and parents and procured poor girls from distressed families. He bears all their expenditures.
To create awareness among women in surrounding villages, the inmates visit houses in groups and campaign against dowry, early marriage, acid violence, smoking and also tobacco cultivation.
Early marriage and dowry has decreased to a great extent in the villages following their campaign, elderly Yakub Ali of Chaoradangi told this correspondent during a recent visit.
The atmosphere at the Home surprised some high officials and the local lawmaker who visited it.
"Such an institution in a remote village is a great surprise", said Jamaat-e-Islami law-
maker from Jaldhaka Mizanur Rahman Choudhury.
"The girls are so well mannered, well-dressed and well groomed up", he said. "This is an example in the country".
Inmate Feroza Begum, 15, from Kaligang village told this correspondent that two years ago, when she was 13, her day labourer father settled her marriage with a rickshawpuller. A student of class eight then, he was unwilling but her opinion got little importance to her parents.
"I knew about Chadmoni. One day I came here and told 'Amma' everything. The inmates call Motahara Alam Amma (mother).
On hearing everything, Pizirul rushed to Feroza's father Sheikh Farid and persuade him not to arrange her (Feroza) marriage. At last he was convinced. Since then, Feroza is staying at Chadmoni. Now she is a student of class ten at Kaligang High School. She secured the third position in the last school final examination.
Another inmate, Monteza Begam, 14, is the 'first girl' in class nine at Kaliganj High School. She said her father Mojibar Rahman arranged marriage of her 14 year-old elder sister.
"I became afraid as my turn would come next".
Pizirul heard about the girl from a teacher of that school. He contacted her parents, told them that an educated girl is as asset, not a liability, and brought Monteza to the Home.
The day at Chadmoni begins early in the morning with Fazr prayer and recitation from holy Quran, followed by assembly, drill and oath-taking.
The girls then study till 9.30 am with a 15-minute break for breakfast. They then go to their respective schools.
"There are arrangements for indoor games like carom. We also play local outdoor games", said Tahmina Akhtar an inmate.
Toma, Luna and Sapna Akhtar said they also practise songs, drama and recitation.
Motahara Alam, also a member of Chadmoni Managing Committee, said Spandhan Sanskritic Gosthi, a cultural organisation of Jaldlaka, voluntarily provides training to interested inmates on cultural activities. Two of the inmates got prizes this tear for cultural performance, she said.
During the visit, this correspondent saw a group of women and girls taking sewing training in a room, named 'Ambia Khatoon Free Sewing Training Centre at the Home.
Ambia Khatoon is the aunt of Pizirul Alam. "Training of the third batch is going on", said Pizirul. Women from nearby areas can also take training with our girls free of cost", he said.
After training here, some of the women have become self-reliant by running tailoring shops.
Forty male adults attend the literacy centre at night at the Home, run by the girls.
There are about 350 books at the liabrary.
"I do not want any donation in money. I want books for my library", Pizirul said.
The monthly expenditure is around Tk 15,000, which he manages from his small businesses started with a part of his retirement benefits. He takes donations only from close relative and friends.
Asked why he does not seek help from government or any organisation, he said, "I will seek help when needed".
A 11-member committee including four women with Pizirul Alam as its Chairman runs the Home. The rest three women members are Masuda Begam Daizi, now working at
BIDS (Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies), high school Shamsun Nahar and housewife Fazilatunnesa.
Lipi Akhtar Ria, 18, passed the SSC examination from Chaoradangi High School this year. She is unhappy because she will have to leave the Home shortly.
"No girl can stay if she reaches 18", Pizirul said.
"We may amend the provision, considering the reality. Now we think that if a girl returns to parents before becoming self-reliant, she will be a burden to them and our goal will not be achieved. Besides many girls have none to return to".
Pizirul has a plan to set up a cottage industry and a garments factory to provide jobs to girls after education.
Every year, a fair called Chadmoni Fair is arranged on its premises. Handicrafts including Nakshi Katha, home made toys and various food items are displayed.
Pizirul said the Nilphamari Deputy Commissioner visited the Home some months ago and promised to give one computer for the girls.
Chaoradangi village is under Balapara union. Chairman of the Union Parishad, Reazul Islam, said Chadmoni is playing and important role for education of extremely poor girls and checking early marriage and dowry.
Former headmaster of Chaoradangi High School Abdul Khaleq said girls of 'Chadmoni' are very modest and they are doing brilliant results.
Golam Mostafa, a teacher of Jaldhaka College and Editor of local weekly Jalkatha said, "Our society will change within a short time if we have Chadmonis".