Category: Chalice in Schools

Overview

St. Mary's Bangladesh Primary School is nestled into the sprawling Bangladesh slums. It was started in 1978 as a community school by an American named Mr. Freeman, who later named it after his late wife, Mary.

The school has an active parents' association, and said association has contributed to development initiatives over the years. But its capacity is limited. The school population continues to grow, meaning constant maintenance and expansion is required.

The school has 611 students enrolled.

At St. Mary's, there is no kitchen or dining hall, and only 10 toilets, with no permanent source of water. Children carry water for use in the toilets, leaving them vulnerable to waterborne diseases such as cholera. Teachers, of which there are only 12, have a small, unventilated office.

What about the community?

Many of the surrounding residents live in poverty, with most earning a living off selling cheap brews and vegetables. It's not enough to care for their families, and some older children turn to drugs to deal with economic difficulty. This disrupts learning further, as some children start to emulate those involved with drugs.

What does the school need most?

• Repair of all dilapidated classroom floors
• Three water storage tanks to harvest rainwater
• Completed work on two unfinished classrooms.