About a
year ago around this time, when the SSC results
were published, there was a particular series of
news items that caught my eye. For days to follow
after the result, series of articles came out about
students who achieved GPA of 5, under the most
adverse scenario we can ever imagine for a
student. These are talented young people who worked as
they studied. They worked as farmers, laborer,
d
omestic help, rickshaw puller, construction workers
etc. They hardly had food to eat, cloths to
wear and no time to play as a child. But, at the end
they came out as CHAMPIONS!!!! This year, unfortunately, I am reading the same
series of articles. Actually, seems like it`s a
repetition/republication of last year`s ones! Now,
the real question is, does it end here? Do we just
read these articles and move on without doing
anything? Do we not do anything? Can we not do
anything? Let me correct myself, the real question should be
"Do we not do anything and let these young talent's
academic life die here, prematurely?"
It is really unfortunate that a lot of these young
talents will have to discontinue their studies as they
cannot financially afford to get into a college. For
their poor family, it is not possible to continue the
expenses, they infact need these young people to
work and contribute to their family. Which means,
premature death of education for an extremely
talented young person. Last year, I personally tried my best to sponsor as
many students as I can afford, so they can
continue their education. My logic was very simple,
these are very talented young minds who achieved
the impossible against all odds. In fact, they are
more talented than me. If I can make something
out of my life, with the help of the education I got. Just imagine what these young minds can achieve
with a little help along the way from us. I finally ended up with eight students, who are still
in college and continuing their education. But, I
always felt that eight is not enough. Unfortunately,
resources are limited when it`s just me, a single
person. Now, this year, I want to ask of your help. I am just
a single guy, but with your help we can be a team. I
am urging everyone I know to sponsor at least one
student for a period of 30 months, from starting of
their college until their HSC result. I know a lot of
you can afford to sponsor more, but for now let`s
just start with one. A lot of us talk about this country, how things can
be different or could have been different. Lots of
Suggestions in Facebook and Twitter on how we
should change things, make a difference, make
things better. I am telling you, this is your chance
to contribute. We can never prosper as a nation, unless we invest
on education, specially on young talented minds like
these. Even though they are a talented bunch and
might become doctors, engineers or officers in
future, their talent dies prematurely because of
poverty. If you think about it…these students are
the only hope for their families to come out of
poverty. Not just their families, but the entire nation
can benefit by educating them rather than having
uneducated mass people with no skills. Infact, it will be a shame (and a crime) if you and I
stand on the sideline and watch these young
talents wash away because of money! Let's not just talk the talk, let's walk the walk and
find out how far we can go. Again, I will pledge two things for this year,
I am blessed with a great family and awesome
friends. I know there`s lot of you who would love to
help out. Please feel free to contact me anytime
for details. I know, with your help, we can make a difference. Cheers,
Mamun/Tanjil
