Education on a Boat : A New Hope

Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in South Asia and is on the front lines of climate change. Nearly 1,600 square kilometres of the north-eastern region of Bangladesh are completely occupied by wetlands known locally by the name of "Cholon Beel". The inhabitants of this region are totally dependent on the environment for their survival. Boats are the only means of transport for communication. The children suffer the most with limited access to education. In 2006, a non-profit organization came up with the idea of finding a remedy for the situation in these poor areas. They tried to use the available natural elements - water and boats - simultaneously in order to set up a programme called "Education on the Boat". This gradually increases the literacy rate, lifts people out of poverty in any given situation, taking into consideration the adverse climatic and environmental conditions.