Writing for Rights: Mokarram, 16, Bangladesh
Human beings possess dreams of a bright opportunity for their future. It is the hope of every human being to live fostering this dream. But there are thousands with dreams who cannot enter through the door of opportunity. The dreams remain mere dreams. Poverty is the main reason that hinders humans from reaching their destination.
I have seen this with my friend Zakir. The incident was one year ago. Zakir, a student of class nine, did not come to school for some days. Examinations were approaching. One day as I was going to school I noticed that he was sitting alone on the back bench. ‘What’s up Zakir?’ He replies: ‘I think I can never come to school again. My mother died when I was young, and my father also died some days ago. I have no one. I have to work now. If I come to school without working,
I will remain unfed. So I can’t come to school regularly.’ On hearing this incident we, his friends, felt hurt and wanted to do something for him. So discussing with the teachers we managed a scholarship from ‘Brozendra Chandra Das-fund’. As a result he continued his studies. Poverty cannot affect him.
Now, I want to tell you about one of our classmates, Rupali. It was almost two years ago. Suddenly, she got married at an early age when she was in grade eight. But she had the intention of studying more, so she used to come to school in secret after marriage. Seeing her interest in education we discussed with the teachers and told her parents to send her to school on a regular basis. First they do not agree, but when we informed them about the law they agreed. At last, her parents agreed to send Rupali to get in the class regularly, and she is continuing her education.
‘Today’s child is the future of tomorrow.’ If so, how necessary it is to take good care of the children who are orphans and have no family. Their elders, society leaders and moreover the government should care for them. But is that what we see? Now that is the worthy question. It is not like that for children if they are poor and abandoned; they will never enjoy their rights or a decent life.
Now I urge all the rich and leading citizens of our society to please find children like Zakir and Rupali amongst your surroundings and stretch out your kind and helpful hand to them so that their rights can be established and our vision is finally a reality.
Mokarram, 16-years-old, Bangladesh