Thrive Bangladesh: School Meals Change Lives

After 18 months of closure due to Covid lockdown, schools across Bangladesh have finally reopened. Students are once again back to in-person learning which to many families is a huge relief considering the challenges they faced with remote learning due to lack of a device or internet connection. Covid-19 protocols set by the Bangladeshi government will be enforced to ensure the health and safety of the students.

The students of Piet Van are so thrilled to be back in school with their fellow classmates and teachers. Many of them expressed how much they missed social interaction and learning in person. Zahid from Grade 3 says, "I am very happy to get back to school after Covid. My favorite subject is Bangla and my favorite Thrive food is apple." Suraiya, age 10, is also very glad to be back in the classroom. "My favorite subject is English." She particularly enjoys receiving malta oranges from Thrive. These green fruits are rich in Vitamin C and the kids love them!

Seeing all 120 students return to Piet Van brings a lot of joy but also a sense of relief. During lockdown Bangladesh has witnessed a significant increase in child labor and child marriage. Because of cut wages or unemployment, parents have had to send their children to work forcing them to drop out of school. Girls have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic as many families have married off their daughters in order to ease financial burdens. Often times the girls never return to school. We at Thrive feel fortunate knowing all the boys and girls at Piet Van have been given the opportunity to return to school and pursue their education. The support from all our donors allows us to provide the proper nutrition these children need in order to continue on a path to a brighter future.

If you would like to make a donation for Piet Van or if you would like to share our project with friends, please click on the link below. 

https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/feed-a-school-in-the-dhaka-slums-for-100-days/

Due to the rising number of Covid infections, schools still remain closed in Bangladesh. Restrictions have been extended several times and this has generated concern among teachers, particularly those working in schools located in poor areas. Online learning is unrealistic for students living in slums and while efforts have been made to provide educational programs through television and radio, there is no guarantee that all children will be able to access the programs or how much of it is actually absorbed. 

The teachers at Piet Van have had to adapt to a new way of teaching which has come with a few challenges. Students must come to school to pick up their lessons and assignments for the week at the same time they pick up their food packs. The teachers also make home visits once a week to check on students and answer any questions regarding their school work. This allows for some face to face time which has been missing for over a year. Now that the rainy season has begun, home visits sometimes have to be rescheduled. But despite this they work tirelessly to make sure the students receive the best education possible given the current situtation.

Extended countrywide Covid-19 restrictions continue to affect many Bangladeshis who are left unable to work and support their families. Food bags provided by Thrive offer tremendous relief to Piet Van students and their families at a time when most struggle to put food on the table. We are so grateful for all the support from our donors! You are not only providing much needed nourishment to some amazing kids. But you are also giving them a chance at a better future.

If you would like to continue supporting our cause or if you would like to share our story, please click on the link below. 

https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/feed-a-school-in-the-dhaka-slums-for-100-days/