DEEPAK ACHARJEE

They are trying to build their own little world with the help of their toys and their very active imagination. They are trying to find their future in the toys and the games, where they found learning for problem-solving and other life skills and education.
They are the members of Projapoti Shishu Sanggho (Butterfly Children Association), established in 2011 at Raghurampur in Arobpur, Jessore. A total of 30 children, aged 11 to 18, from poor backgrounds come to the Sanggho in the hope of building a brighter future.
Hafiza, a 10-year-old student of class 4 at Betobe Kutiya Government Primary School, and Lami Islam Meem, a student of class 10 at Mukteshwari High School have been attending the children’s association since 2013. At present, they are leading an 11-member executive committee of the Shishu Sanggho as secretary and president respectively.
“We have learned how to face the situation during crucial moments and prepare ourselves for the future and be good citizens to serve the local people voluntarily,” one of the girls told a group of reporters who visited the association recently.
“I want to be good citizens of the country by becoming a doctor,” the other said of her dream.
Another child, Asif, 10, studying at Vikutiya Govt School, came to the Shishu Sanggho three years ago and learned how to become a good student as well as life-skill techniques. A carpenter’s son, Asif could not attend classes regularly as he had to help his father everyday to supplement their meagre income. Now, he also earns money before completing his classes, said Shibu Pada Sarker, assistant project coordinator of Jagroto Jubo Sanggho (JSS).
Sarker provides assistance to the members of Projapoti Shishu Sanggho under a project of Justice for Children and Conditional Cash Transfers, in cooperation with UNICEF.
“The 30 children are coming to the Shishu Sanggho everyday and they read, play, draw pictures and publish wallpapers to help improve their life skills,” Sarker said.
“We have formed a 15-member child-protection committee in all the unions of Jessore sadar upazila. So far, we have trained at least 15 students from the Sanggho and they are studying in different high schools of the district,” he added.
About playing games as life skill activities, Sarker said: “In their play, the children learn to work together, learning how to solve problems and other life skills.”
“In their own way, they are imitating the adult world. Through play, children know that they can become anything they want to be, which boosts their self-esteem. The self-confidence that builds at an early age will help them in the future,” he explained.
“We want to work in the community for the betterment of the children aged between 4-18 through organising co-curricular activities, forming different social clubs and providing life skills training. Life skills are abilities individuals can learn which will help them to be successful in leading a productive and satisfying life,” he added.
At Shishu Sanggho, the child members gather in a class room for a club session. On orientation day, students select a board for the association, including a  president, secretary, vice-president, joint secretary and  directors. All other students act as general members. The president and secretary maintain a log book on the club’s activities and attendance record for future evaluation and award certification.
A teacher acts as a moderator of the club and trainers provide training on life skills as per a schedule fixed by the school. After each session, students are assigned some homework, group work or activities to apply the skills learnt.