Alokayon School
A Free Educational Institution for Underprivileged Children
The poet Golam Mostafa once said, “The father of tomorrow lies asleep within every child.” In other words, today’s children are the leaders of tomorrow. Just as strong leaders represent their nations with honor on the global stage, the responsibility of presenting our country and nation to the world in the future rests upon today’s children.
Within children lie the latent potentials of future poets, artists, scientists, writers, doctors, and countless other talents. However, conscious members of today’s world have observed that many street and underprivileged children are being deprived of their fundamental rights. Growing up in neglect, deprivation, and illiteracy, they are denied basic necessities such as food, clothing, shelter, education, and healthcare. We know that without education, no nation can ever ascend to the pinnacle of development. Therefore, to empower these deprived children, we must provide them with proper education and a supportive environment.
Through education, they can free themselves from superstition, injustice, stagnation, and inferiority, and grow into responsible and dignified individuals. Enlightened by education, street children can participate meaningfully in various developmental activities. We must remain vigilant to ensure that due to our neglect, lack of proper environment, and absence of educational opportunities, these children do not wither away. If given access to education, they will learn to distinguish between right and wrong and will be able to keep themselves away from risky and anti-social activities.
For a long time, Alokayon has been striving to arrange educational opportunities for underprivileged and street children so that they may grow into respectable members of society. However, due to limited resources, lack of suitable facilities, and absence of dedicated teachers, the organization was unable to implement this vision.
Alhamdulillah, recently we came across a teacher named Jasmine Akter, who, on her own initiative, had been teaching slum children on the veranda of her house. Although her sincerity was unquestionable, her limited financial capacity prevented her from providing a proper learning environment. There were no books, no notebooks or pens, and no chairs for seating. She was teaching the children under the open sky as best as she could, and classes had to be suspended on rainy days. Despite the presence of many educated and financially capable individuals in the surrounding area, none had come forward to assist these extremely poor children.
After hearing about her from a colleague, I invited her to my office for tea. We exchanged views regarding the education of underprivileged children. She assured me that with the necessary support, she would be able to enlighten these children through education.
Immediately, on behalf of Alokayon, we rented a small tin-shed room and provided tables for seating, along with books, notebooks, and pens. With great enthusiasm, she requested us to formally inaugurate the school. Accordingly, on 13 February 2023, in a festive atmosphere and in the presence of several members associated with Alokayon and the children’s parents, we officially inaugurated the school under the name “Alokayon Pathshala.”
In addition to Bengali education, a Qur’an memorization teacher was appointed to provide Arabic and religious instruction. Thus began the journey of Alokayon School.
From this institution:
In 2023 and 2024, a total of 20 underprivileged children (10 each year) were enrolled in government primary schools.
In 2025, 25 more underprivileged children were admitted to government primary schools.
A.K.M. Fazlul Kader
A Dedicated Teacher’s Personal Journey in Serving Underprivileged Children
My name is Jesmin Akter. I was born in Nanshi village of Karimganj Upazila in Kishoreganj District. My father, Mawlana Md. Keramat Ali, was a primary school teacher. He used to teach young children with great affection and paternal care. Watching him teach always inspired me, and unknowingly I developed a deep attachment to his profession. From an early age, I had a strong desire to study and one day teach children just like my father.
However, my dreams began to fade in the face of Allah’s will. When I was only ten years old, my father passed away. My mother did not have the financial ability to educate her five daughters, and unfortunately none of our relatives came forward to support us. In such difficult circumstances, my mother tried her best to arrange our marriages. As a result, I was married off to a widowed man in his fifties, someone nearly the same age as my father.
At the age of fifteen, while still studying in the eighth grade, I began my married life in Nakhalpara, Dhaka, along with my husband’s two children from his previous marriage. My elderly husband did not show me affection and often subjected me to hardship and mistreatment. Yet I had no alternative but to continue living with him and caring for his children in those difficult conditions.
One day I told my husband that I wanted to continue my education and asked him to admit me to school. At first, he refused, but after repeated requests and heartfelt appeals, he eventually enrolled me in the local IPH School. Because I was busy with household responsibilities, I could not attend classes regularly. However, I continued my studies late into the night. Through determination and perseverance, I finally passed the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination in 1994. After that, I was unable to continue my education any further.
Near my residence lies the Rasulpur slum. I noticed that the children living there did not attend school and were deprived of education. Many of them gradually became involved in antisocial activities such as theft, snatching, and drug abuse. This deeply troubled me. I began thinking about how these children could be brought into the light of knowledge.
I had always read and written that children are the future of a nation, yet before my eyes I saw innocent and vulnerable children falling into darkness due to lack of education, healthcare, and opportunities. I remembered my childhood dream of becoming a teacher and decided that I would fulfill that dream by teaching these underprivileged children.
Whenever I saw children in the neighborhood, I would call them and encourage them to study. Gradually, one or two children began to come to me for lessons. I even visited their homes to teach them free of cost. I did not have the financial capacity to provide them with paper or books, so I used unused pages from my sons’ old notebooks. Occasionally, I managed to buy paper or books for them myself. Since there was no school building, I taught them on the veranda of my house. Seeing their enthusiasm for learning inspired me even more. In this way, my journey as a teacher continued.
My Association with Alokayon
One day, a gentleman from my neighborhood came to me and mentioned a respected person who might be interested in my work. He asked for my phone number. After I provided it, the gentleman called me the same day and invited me for tea at Setu Bhaban. On 15 February 2023, I met him there.
He asked about my educational activities with the children, and I explained everything in detail. I also told him that if I received support from him or from any organization, I would be able to expand educational opportunities for these underprivileged children. He assured me that he would try to support the initiative through an organization called Alokayon.
After receiving this assurance, I felt as though there was no one happier than me in the world. Through Alokayon’s support, arrangements were made for a proper room for the children to sit and study. Books, notebooks, and pens were provided. Electricity, lights, and fans were installed. An Arabic teacher was also appointed so that the children could learn Arabic alongside their regular studies. These were things I could not have imagined even after five years of effort.
With the support of Sir and the organization, I believe that I will be able to enlighten these underprivileged children through education, Insha’Allah.
Having lost my parents at a young age, I grew up without their love and affection. I was also deprived of affection from my elderly husband. But now, in the later stage of my life, the opportunity to enlighten these underprivileged children with the light of knowledge has helped me forget all the sorrows and hardships of my life.
May Almighty Allah accept this small effort of mine as Sadaqah Jariyah (a continuing charity).
Ameen.
Jesmin Akter
Teacher, Alokayon School–1