A teenager from the island of Charmontaz has managed to change herself a lot
Mrs: Hajera (37) is a housewife, and her husband Babul Khan is a fisherman. They have two daughters, one son. In addition to household work, Hazera runs a tea shop in Manta village and cutting fish as a part time work. She also supports her family’s by earning some income. But her boys and girls do not make read and write. There is no awareness about their health and hygiene issues. There is no importance of reading to develop her child as a bright future. They believe that if you learn to read the Quran, you can get married. Apart from that, being a manta community, their standard of living is different.
Earlier they had no identity card, voter ID card. They have given their ID card through JAGO NARI, and they were also lifted off the boat and allowed to live in a broken tin house. As soon as it rains, the first drops of rain fall into his house. Little boys and girls are lying in one corner of the room. Local people do not look favorably on them because of their different community of Mantha.
Not having a good relationship with anyone around their living sight. When children are allowed to study in school, they abuse them to others local community. So, there is no humane mind to study in school and continue their education. When the son is a little older, he will work with his father to handle the boat and the girl will get married only when she is a teenager.
Adolescent club was formed with this community of Mantha in the South Char Montaz Village, through JAGO NARI implementation of ISEAWACC project with IRC support. Parveen and Hajera are included in the club as per adolescent girl and caregiver. Hajera and Parveen are regular members of Girl Shin Session. Hajera regularly attends girl shine sessions of Dakhin Charmontaz adolescent Club and participates in discussions. Parvin is the eldest among Hajera’s three sons and daughters. Parveen studied in the class five and did not study after that. Now read the Quran in a mosque and her parents will marry only if she learns to read Quran Sharif.
Hajera Begum says Parvin used to not listen, and she used to argue face to face. She did not do any work, she used to go to people’s houses and sit. Most of the time she stayed at the house of girls of the same age. She would not come when called him, she would do whatever he wanted. A lot of changes come in Parvin after coming to the session at adolescent girls Club. Parveen helps me in all household’s routine work. Arguments over and she doesn’t go another home. They are all very happy to see Parveen’s change. JAGO NARI implemented club through the ISEAWACC project in collaboration with IRC has brought change among the adolescent boys and girls. Since coming to the club, the mother and daughter have developed a good relationship.
Parveen says, “What I was doing earlier was wrong which I understand after coming to the club”. She thanks to JAGO NARI and IRC organization for doing such a nice job. But now they have changed because they are gathering clear concept that would be required in regular life, the teaching of boat school also provide support and guidance to children in this community. As a result, Manta children got the opportunity to study.
Published on: Saturday, 26 July 2025, 10:07 pm ▪ Last update: Sunday, 27 July 2025, 02:05 am ▪ Total View of this Page: 44
