After their morning chores are complete – the water drawn, the children dressed, the fire started and stoked, and the lentils set to soak for the meal later in the day – women in the Outfall slum of Dhaka Bangladesh begin to make their way to a small classroom. The room has wood walls, an aluminum roof, a single fluorescent bulb, and looks just like all the other homes in the crowded slum neighborhood, but there is one key difference. This room holds a sense of promise and hope for all that enter… it is here that the women are learning to read.

After their morning chores are complete – the water drawn, the children dressed, the fire started and stoked, and the lentils set to soak for the meal later in the day – women in the Outfall slum of Dhaka Bangladesh begin to make their way to a small classroom. The room has wood walls, an aluminum roof, a single fluorescent bulb, and looks just like all the other homes in the crowded slum neighborhood, but there is one key difference. This room holds a sense of promise and hope for all that enter… it is here that the women are learning to read.

In the country of Bangladesh, only 47.9% of the adult population can read and write. For women, this number is even lower. The 2001 census estimates that only 41.4% of Bangladeshi women are literate. Without these skills, the women are unable to operate businesses, can’t help their children with their school work, and miss out on a lot of other knowledge that they could use to improve their family’s health, nutrition, and income level.

Bit by bit, that is beginning to change thanks to the perseverance of the women and the sanctuary of this small room. As the women arrive, they greet each other with a smile, slip off their sandals, enter the room and take their place on the floor. When all 17 women have assembled, the class begins.

Parvin Akthar is their teacher. She patiently makes her way to each of the women in the class. As she squats in front of them, she listen to them read their primers and helps them with difficult passages. She also praises the women for their good work as they practice writing their names and doing simple math equations.

Over the course of 12 months, these women will complete the basic literacy course organized by their local People’s Institution and facilitated by CRWRC’s partner, SATHI. They will then be eligible to receive other training on topics such as sewing, improved nutrition, and health. Along the way, they will also gain a new sense of self-worth and confidence.

“I have two sons and one daughter,” said Champa, one of the groups members. “Now I can help them study and do their homework.”

It is this new-found feeling of accomplishment that has perhaps prompted the group to call themselves “Shanti” – which means “peace.” For there is peace in knowing that you are doing something to improve your life, and peace in being able to equip your children for a better future.