Bangladesh: Despite the Odds, A Thirst for Education

By Chulie de Silva Reprint | | Print |

DHAKA, Jun 30 2011 (IPS) - It’s monsoon time in Bangladesh when flashes of lightning streak across the skies, howling gusty winds bring the South Asian country under great swathes of rain- bursting rivers, and sometimes washing whole villages away. But for trouble-hardened Bangladeshis, it’s just another rainy season.

Sandbags come out, villagers and schools are relocated to higher grounds and the children plod happily to school. Many youngsters brave the pelting rain, often barefoot or in rubber sandals, wading from boat to land, shielding themselves with huge leaves or in makeshift raincoats made out of polythene…

Text by Chulie de Silva, Photographs by Saikat Mojumder/Drik