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Jen Simpson introduced today's speaker Gabriel Munro from the Amarok Society. This organization works towards the education of those in impoverished slum areas in Dacha, Bangladesh. He is also a published writer, composer and has a diploma in radio broadcasting. Gabriel started with some stark facts - 1 in 3 children grow up illiterate. In many cases parents who are illiterate don't see the need top educate their children and often the child is required to work to help support the family. This ensures a predictable future for these children of life-long poverty, often violence and often exploitation. Often school was beyond reach for many families even though cost to attend was very low. Also teachers are underpaid and lack resources, often causing them to close school early to go to more profitable tutoring positions. The Amarok Society realized that education the mothers of these children was the way to reach them. Given they were working in a patriarchal society convincing the woman (and more importantly their spouses and parents) to participate was a challenge. However, slowly but surely the size of their adult classrooms grew and what then happened was the mothers would go back and teach their children, as well as their neighbour's children. The mothers took great pride in their work and are fully committed to their children's success. Support has grown as senior males have seen that their sons are also getting educated. In one case a young student tutored her grandfather and helped him learn to read. In Gabriel's experience when the youth are not educated and allowed to create an economic life for themselves they get angry and frustrated, which are ripe grounds for religious extremism If you give an opportunity for a good education you give the world to a child!
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