A Discussion with Father Apu Solomon Rozario, C.S.C., Director, Notre Dame Literacy School, Dhaka, Bangladesh
With: Apu Solomon Rozario Berkley Center Profile
June 3, 2014
Background: As
part of the Education and Social Justice Fellowship, in June 2014 student
Kendra Layton interviewed Father Apu Solomon Rozario, C.S.C., director of Notre
Dame Literacy School in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Founded in 1971, the school is part of the Literacy and Health Care Program for the Children of Slums at Notre Dame College (a prestigious secondary school co-located with the literacy school) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The program is also supported by Misereor, a German Catholic development organization, and the Congregation of Holy Cross Society of Priests. In this interview, Father
Rozario reflects on the origins of the school, the characteristics of the
population they serve, and the particular challenges they face.
What
are the origins of Notre Dame Literacy School?
Notre Dame Literary and Health Care Program for Children of the Slums started before the Liberation War of 1971. After liberation, our country’s condition was not good. People suffered a lot. At that time, American priests worked at Notre Dame College. One of them was Father Vannes, and he realized he had to do something for children of the slums in terms of food and shelter. Another priest, Father Pope, realized the poor health condition of the people and started the sick shelter. They communicated with Caritas who helped them organize everything and provided financial support. Through Notre Dame College, the secondary school next door, we get food support. We have a feeding program, and everyday almost 1,300 kids receive food.
Could you describe some of the other services of the school?
We also have a boys’ room here where 60 boys can stay. Most of them are orphans from remote areas of Bangladesh. They stay here to study and receive clothes, food, and shelter up until eighth grade. After that they leave and try to enroll in an outside school. We contribute to tuition fees so they can continue. Every year four or five students get a chance to study at Notre Dame College. This is a very good opportunity for them. This program is very helpful for our slum boys and girls.
What does the evening shift include?
We have three shifts: morning from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., afternoon from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Those who come for night school are day laborers. They work all day and at night they come to school. They are aware about education, and they are interested in learning. Many are also adults studying with kids. They do not feel any hesitation. They realize, “We have to learn.” That is why they come. Sometimes I visit the night school to talk with them. They are very friendly and happy because of the opportunity they are getting.
Where do most of the students come from, and what does this school represent for them?
Sometimes I visit the slums and talk with the parents and students. I notice how they are living and their condition. It is a very dirty, unhygienic place and very congested. All family members stay in small rooms day and night. The students feel comfortable to stay here the whole day because they find everything here. They can play, receive food, and feel secure here. They can talk to each other freely and openly. This is attractive to our students. In Dhaka City, you will not find any open place. The buildings are very narrow, the rooms are very small, the air, water, and environment are polluted, but here everything is okay.
Could you speak more about the value education and religious classes offered at this school?
The staff and I teach the students common values for their lives. For example, we teach honesty, truthfulness, character building, and good behavior. Our intention is that they speak with others politely and they become honest and punctual people: punctual in their lives, duties, responsibilities, and all things. Sometimes I also teach them about careers. I ask them, “In the future, what is your plan?” They reply, “Father, I will be a doctor, an engineer, a pilot.” These careers all come from them! In terms of religion, we have mixed religious people: Muslims, Christians, and Hindus. They receive separate religion classes, but all of them have one.
What are your greatest successes?
The success is every year we have around 20 students pass the secondary school certificate (SSC) exam. This year 22 students passed the SSC exam, and their results were very good. Every year five or six students gain admission to Notre Dame College. Many of them get a job, not a good job, but they can manage their family every month. Another success is that those who are studying here have parents who also studied at this school. They realize this school is good.
And what are some of the greatest difficulties you face?
One is that our students’ residences are not stable. Their parents are always moving here and there because of work. When they get a good job, they leave this place with their whole family and then the students do not come to school. Another difficulty is that some of the students, especially the girls, get married after age eight. At that time they cannot come. Although they have desire to study, they are unable because of their situation. We also face difficulties financially. Through Caritas we receive financial support through Misereor Germany. Our donors, they tell us we should be self-sufficient, but it is very impossible for us. We do not have any local contribution here. It only comes from Notre Dame College and the Congregation of the Holy Cross. We do not take any money from the beneficiaries, the students and patients, because they are very poor. The other difficulty is the political situation of our country. When the political situation is bad, our children do not come to school. The people of political parties make road blocks, and the students are scared to come. I usually tell them, “Do not come to school when there is political turmoil.”
How do you respond to some of these difficulties, especially financial limitations?
We cut some of our programs. There is no way to run all of the programs. That is why I cut some of them from the schedule from the project so that whatever we can give, we can give very nicely. This is one of my desires. I talk to Caritas and I talk with donors.
How do students find their way to this school in the first place?
Our teachers go to the slums. Through the teachers, students learn about the school program. Sometimes I visit too. Through the present students, new students come to know we have a literacy school. I always tell students, “You should find others, those who are not studying. Tell them to come to school.” When they tell the other kids, they come to school. They meet with me, and we enroll them and provide books and teaching materials.
Have you ever had to turn a student away?
No, anyone can come and anytime. Suppose now, it is the middle of the year, a student came and said “Father, I want to study here.” I say, “You can start today,” and I provide books and materials.
If you were to describe this school in a few words, what is the heart of the school?
The heart of the school is the students. If we did not have any students, the school would not exist. They are the heart of the school.
Notre Dame Literary and Health Care Program for Children of the Slums started before the Liberation War of 1971. After liberation, our country’s condition was not good. People suffered a lot. At that time, American priests worked at Notre Dame College. One of them was Father Vannes, and he realized he had to do something for children of the slums in terms of food and shelter. Another priest, Father Pope, realized the poor health condition of the people and started the sick shelter. They communicated with Caritas who helped them organize everything and provided financial support. Through Notre Dame College, the secondary school next door, we get food support. We have a feeding program, and everyday almost 1,300 kids receive food.
Could you describe some of the other services of the school?
We also have a boys’ room here where 60 boys can stay. Most of them are orphans from remote areas of Bangladesh. They stay here to study and receive clothes, food, and shelter up until eighth grade. After that they leave and try to enroll in an outside school. We contribute to tuition fees so they can continue. Every year four or five students get a chance to study at Notre Dame College. This is a very good opportunity for them. This program is very helpful for our slum boys and girls.
What does the evening shift include?
We have three shifts: morning from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., afternoon from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Those who come for night school are day laborers. They work all day and at night they come to school. They are aware about education, and they are interested in learning. Many are also adults studying with kids. They do not feel any hesitation. They realize, “We have to learn.” That is why they come. Sometimes I visit the night school to talk with them. They are very friendly and happy because of the opportunity they are getting.
Where do most of the students come from, and what does this school represent for them?
Sometimes I visit the slums and talk with the parents and students. I notice how they are living and their condition. It is a very dirty, unhygienic place and very congested. All family members stay in small rooms day and night. The students feel comfortable to stay here the whole day because they find everything here. They can play, receive food, and feel secure here. They can talk to each other freely and openly. This is attractive to our students. In Dhaka City, you will not find any open place. The buildings are very narrow, the rooms are very small, the air, water, and environment are polluted, but here everything is okay.
Could you speak more about the value education and religious classes offered at this school?
The staff and I teach the students common values for their lives. For example, we teach honesty, truthfulness, character building, and good behavior. Our intention is that they speak with others politely and they become honest and punctual people: punctual in their lives, duties, responsibilities, and all things. Sometimes I also teach them about careers. I ask them, “In the future, what is your plan?” They reply, “Father, I will be a doctor, an engineer, a pilot.” These careers all come from them! In terms of religion, we have mixed religious people: Muslims, Christians, and Hindus. They receive separate religion classes, but all of them have one.
What are your greatest successes?
The success is every year we have around 20 students pass the secondary school certificate (SSC) exam. This year 22 students passed the SSC exam, and their results were very good. Every year five or six students gain admission to Notre Dame College. Many of them get a job, not a good job, but they can manage their family every month. Another success is that those who are studying here have parents who also studied at this school. They realize this school is good.
And what are some of the greatest difficulties you face?
One is that our students’ residences are not stable. Their parents are always moving here and there because of work. When they get a good job, they leave this place with their whole family and then the students do not come to school. Another difficulty is that some of the students, especially the girls, get married after age eight. At that time they cannot come. Although they have desire to study, they are unable because of their situation. We also face difficulties financially. Through Caritas we receive financial support through Misereor Germany. Our donors, they tell us we should be self-sufficient, but it is very impossible for us. We do not have any local contribution here. It only comes from Notre Dame College and the Congregation of the Holy Cross. We do not take any money from the beneficiaries, the students and patients, because they are very poor. The other difficulty is the political situation of our country. When the political situation is bad, our children do not come to school. The people of political parties make road blocks, and the students are scared to come. I usually tell them, “Do not come to school when there is political turmoil.”
How do you respond to some of these difficulties, especially financial limitations?
We cut some of our programs. There is no way to run all of the programs. That is why I cut some of them from the schedule from the project so that whatever we can give, we can give very nicely. This is one of my desires. I talk to Caritas and I talk with donors.
How do students find their way to this school in the first place?
Our teachers go to the slums. Through the teachers, students learn about the school program. Sometimes I visit too. Through the present students, new students come to know we have a literacy school. I always tell students, “You should find others, those who are not studying. Tell them to come to school.” When they tell the other kids, they come to school. They meet with me, and we enroll them and provide books and teaching materials.
Have you ever had to turn a student away?
No, anyone can come and anytime. Suppose now, it is the middle of the year, a student came and said “Father, I want to study here.” I say, “You can start today,” and I provide books and materials.
If you were to describe this school in a few words, what is the heart of the school?
The heart of the school is the students. If we did not have any students, the school would not exist. They are the heart of the school.
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