We are experienced professionals, university and school students, from
all over the world.
We are truly inspired by how the EDS children and youth. Although they live
in very stressful environments and have experienced challenges we can’t even
imagine, they go back to school to complete their education and even mentor
other children and youth to do the same. They show in practice that every child
and youth is a resource who can influence their own life, their family and
community in positive ways and create a more humane world together. They have
created a learning community based on love, freedom, empowerment, democracy and
joy. We have a lot to learn from their endurance, perseverance, willpower to
never give up and faith that everything is possible.
Although the EDS children and youth have created positive changes in
their community, they still face enormous negative pressure from family,
friends and the community who tell they waste their time on volunteerism, EDS
has no value, they are stupid and not able learners and they are called bad
words when they think critically, have independent opinions and challenge the
gender roles expected of them.
To the EDS children and youth, international people have high social
capital. It’s unthinkable for a vulnerable child or youth in Bangladesh that
international people will talk with or care about them. So, when we acknowledge
the EDS children and youth’s volunteer work, it increases their confidence in
themselves and that their EDS engagement is valuable. This gives them increased
energy to endure any challenge and reach their goals of education and helping
others. It also motivates their families and friends to realize the importance
of EDS, so they become more supportive.
Also, students and professors from the Khulna University (KU) and the Khulna
University of Technology and Engineering (KUET), both renounced universities in
Bangladesh, are mentors and friends of EDS. The students teach and mentor the EDS
children and youth school subjects and the value of education. They also engage
in the EDS action research.