Swami Vivekananda

MIRONJILLA, DHAKA – The children of this poverty-stricken sweeper colony are educated by Dhaka University college students in a yellow three-story concrete building.

 

A young girl who lives in Mironjilla, Dhaka, Bangladesh, is getting a basic education at the Vivekanando School. The school is run by students at Dhaka University.

Although the school, which is named after Swami Vivekananda, usually operates at night, after the children have finished their jobs of cleaning the streets, today is special: there is an art and a jump rope competition.

 

A young boy pauses in the stairwell at the Vivekenando School in Mironjilla, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

“They are so poor. The clean Dhaka,” says Mohit, one of the volunteers who teaches there.

However, this is not an all work and no play environment. These kids know how to jump rope. Even during a 90 degree day, jump ropes — and jump roping children — abound on the street in front of the school.

 

A student of the Vivekanando School leans briefly against a bamboo post supporting an awning at a shop. Behind him, the school hosts a jump rope competition.

 

Kids playing outside vye to be the first one in the picture. Several of them are enjoying suckers that were given out today.

Not all of the students jump rope today. Some stay inside, either to draw, watch the jump roping, or allow a quick snapshot.

 

Two friends at the school pose for a portrait.

Today was much fun and game for the students, who also were visited by guests from Dhaka University, Bangladesh, and Winona State University, Winona, Minn., America (this author included).

At the end of the day, as with any other day, they go back to their homes, which, although conveniently located near the school, are still in the slums.

Their lesson for today: education is best path for them to advance to greater things.

A girl who lives in the Mironjilla colony stands outside her abode.