Chalantika in seasons: 2021
The seasons came every year in the same rhythm. But every time we experience them differently. Nowadays, in the "covid age", when no one can say what tomorrow will be like, we have to be ready for the variability and try to make our best of it.
Below, you can read what the children of Chaalntika have experienced during the past year, which was defined by overcoming lockdowns and the great joy of returning to school.
Newcomers in Chalantika
In Bangladesh, January is associated with the beginning of the school year. This is the time when we are saying goodbye to our 5graders (who are continuing to UCEP Ismail School), and we are already looking forward to meeting new children from the slum. In 2021, 22 new faces appeared in Chalantika. The children first played in the center, talked to our teachers, and then enrolled in the center together with their parents. By the way, the blue uniform worn by younger children means that they are still preschoolers, in Bangladesh the so-called KG class (KG = kindergarten).
SPRING: How to operate during a lockdown?
Already during March, children in Chalantika were studying in smaller groups due to the covid-19 epidemic. In April, nationwide lockdowns began to bother us. At that time, almost 170 million Bangladeshi people were banned from leaving their homes. But what if you don't have a home or it consists of 10 square meters for six people. Families from the slum remembered this period as one of the most difficult times. Not only because of the cramped space but above all because there was no work. Most of the dads from Chalantica work as daily laborers on occasional construction sites. During hard lockdowns, there was no such possibility. And that was a serious problem for people living from hand to mouth.
During that time, our education center looked for new ways to help. We organized food distribution when all 112 supported families received packages of lentils, rice, vegetables, and other goodies. Teachers were in touch with the children over the phone. They patiently explained all the homework, textbook exercises and tried to keep the children motivated. They deserve a huge thanks for that because calling all 80 children individually is definitely not the same as teaching a lesson in class.
SUMMER: A covid swing
For the next few months, it was like on a swing, open, closed, open, closed, until a relaxation of restrictions came in August. Although the schools were still closed, Chalantika could operate because it is not only education but also a nutrition program. In September, other schools also opened, which was great news especially for our program Banglakids, which mediates children's sponsorship throughout Bangladesh.
AUTUMN: Valuable personal experience
With the relaxation of the measures came the opportunity to visit the children and their families in Bangladesh in person. We were lucky that our visit came on the date when the children went on an excursion to the DNCC Wonderland theme park. Seeing their joy was wonderful. You can experience that a little bit in this photo report. And we weren't the only visitors! Matouš Špírek and his team from the Malfini company, which is a long-time supporter of the center, also came to see the children.
WINTER: Shining smiles
Winter brought one novelty to Chalantika, which was dental care. Doctors from the ADC (Adventist Dental Clinic) examined the children and found out that further interventions were needed. During the "Shining Smiles" campaign, Czech donors helped children in total with 3000 EUR needed for the dental interventions. Thank you to all of you who participated!
Coping with the uncertainty that the covid period brings requires a lot of courage, flexibility and not losing hope. Bangladesh is lucky to have wonderful people who can handle this. Whether we are talking about our teachers, who give their children love and care every day, about mothers who work hard, or about the children themselves, who are extremely grateful for the opportunity to go to school. Thank you for giving them hope for a better future.
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