Heartbreak is only part of the story…

August 12, 2024

At 12 years old, when most children are writing their first essays, Dilnewaj entered a classroom for the first time and learned to write the alphabet in her native Burmese language, her favourite subject. It was also her first time reading and writing English letters and the numbers from 1 to 100.

“Before I enrolled, I used to peek into another learning centre nearby. I learnt some spelling and poetry by listening to the children inside,” she says.

Born in a small village in Arakan, Myanmar, she was miles away from the nearest school.

Of the masses of Rohingya living in the camps at Cox’s Bazar, an astounding number are children who, without access to education, are at risk of becoming a lost generation. And many have borne witness to unspeakable acts of violence and predation.

Dilnewaj fled with her family in 2017 when her village was razed. She can still hear the gunshots ring out as they ran.

Her family spent weeks hiding in the jungle, walking to the river. Finally, they found a boat and escaped to Bangladesh.

“I still remember the smell of burning houses,” Dilnewaj recalls.

In Bangladesh, her family lived in an open field for days; eventually, they were able to relocate to Shamlapur, Camp 23.

“The atmosphere was different when the children first started coming to the learning centres,” explains Mosarafa Begum, Dilnewaj’s teacher. “The children were quiet. Some were aggressive. They drew pictures of burning houses and dead bodies. It was heart breaking.”

Fortunately, the camp has provided some semblance of normalcy. Amidst the hilly terrains of Cox’s Bazar, the laughter and singing of resilient children cut through the air.

At the learning centre, Dilnewaj has made new friends and feels safe attending classes there. She is but one of the 35,000 forcibly displaced Rohingya children in Cox’s Bazar that Education Above All Foundation, in partnership with BRAC, is aiming to help restart their lives and access schooling. In addition to quality primary education, the project is increasing access to psycho-social support, life-skills curriculum and preparing children like Dilnewaj for the future with critical literacy and numeracy skills.

“I want to keep studying,” says Dilnewaj. “I want to be a doctor and help people in need. I would like to go home one day…”

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Impact

"Humanity will not overcome the immense challenges we face unless we ensure that children get the quality education that equips them to play their part in the modern world." -- HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser