Nayapara Rohingya Refugee Camp Learning Centre

A note from Julius:

I met Aasir through a story I worked on last year about a Rohingya man I know who returned to the Bangladeshi refugee camp he was born in. Many people his age are still there and Aasir was kind enough to talk to me about his life and the hardships his community faces. Since then we have remained in touch and become friends. Along with three others he runs a school inside the Nayapara camp. When Aasir approached me to help him raise money for the school, I said we could make a Gofundme together and I would send the money that came through to him. Because of the danger posed by certain people within the camp knowing there is money coming to him we have changed his name to the one we used in the story.

If you have any money that you can spare it would be going to a good thing. If you have any questions, feel free to swing me a message. Below is a letter written by Aasir regarding the school:

Dear donor,

I hope this message finds you well. We are reaching out to you today with a heartfelt request for your support in a critical humanitarian endeavor. Our mission is to create positive change in the lives of Rohingya refugees living in dire conditions in the Nayapara Refugee Camp in Bangladesh, particularly the children who have been orphaned and are in desperate need of care and education.

In August 2017 the military of Myanmar escalated its genocidal operation against the largely Muslim Rohingya population of the Rakhine state. More than 24,000 people were killed by the junta, who also subjected them to unspeakable horrors such as torture, rape, mass executions, burning, and expulsion.

As a result, more than 650,000 Rohingya fled into Bangladesh and are still there, living in the biggest refugee camp in the world. The United Nations has described the Rohingya as “the most persecuted minority in the world”. The camp's circumstances are appalling. Lack of access to food, safe water, shelter, healthcare, and education affects the population.

Some families have been trapped in Bangladesh since persecution against the Rohingya in Myanmar, then known as Burma, in the 1990’s. According to the UNHCR more than half of the camp’s population are children. Many kids are not in school and parents are reluctant to send their kids to the UNHCR school because there is no curriculum permitted in the camp by the Bangladeshi government. As a result, generation after generation are leading pointless and unproductive lives, which is dragging our people into more darkness.

Considering all of these factors, we have established a learning centre (Rohingya Bright Future Academy) that stands as a beacon of hope. The backbone of a country, in our opinion, is education. The best investment for a country or nation is in education.

There are currently 92 pupils enrolled in the centre, and 22 of them are orphans whose parents perished in the massacre in August 2017. Because there is almost no way for people living in the camp to have an income most of these kids are going through unimaginable hardships to find food, clothes and books.

We teach mainly English, Math, Bangla and Burmese. There are students from nursery to standard eight and most of the students are nursery to standard five. We have divided the students into two shifts, morning and night shift. Three full-time teachers and one part-time work relentlessly. We also conduct classes and special training to children about social behaviour and their personal growth, as well as organise sports events twice a year after the mid-term and annual examinations.

Our fundraising goal is $15,000. These are our rough cost estimates for what the centre needs:

• School bags for students: $600

• Food for orphans: $5300 for a year.

• Clothes or uniform for orphans and other students: $1050

• Resources for students (Pencil, pen, books, paper): $600

• Learning centre repair and other work including lights, Solar panel, and fan: $1200

• 4 teachers' salary: (monthly $450 x 12) = $5400 annually

Our Learning Center is not only a place of education but also a sanctuary for orphaned children. We are dedicated to providing them with nurturing care, a stable home, and a sense of belonging that they so desperately need. With your help, we can ensure these children receive the love and support they deserve.

We understand the world faces many challenges, but the plight of Rohingya refugees, particularly the children, cannot be ignored. Your support, no matter the amount, will have a tangible impact on these young lives and contribute to the broader goal of empowering a marginalised community.

Founder,

Aasir