A sparked interest in education

Jesmin, born to a poor family in Rangpur, has not seen the privileged life that other girls her age have seen. Her father, a day labourer and her mother, a housewife, both struggled to make ends meet. Having to raise an only child, Jesmin’s parents tried their best to provide for her despite their extreme poverty.

Unfortunately, Jesmin’s family took a devastating blow when her mother passed away from liver cancer. By the time she was only four years old, Jesmin had lost both of her parents and her grandfather. Now living with her grandmother, who worked as a domestic maid in order to support the small family.

In 2009, BRAC Education Programme staff visited Jesmin’s village in order to conduct a baseline survey before opening pre-primary schools in the area. Jesmin's was selected for admission, however her grandmother strongly opposed her attending school, and as her sole caretaker, could ultimately make the final decision. BRAC staff talked to Jesmin’s grandmother about the importance of education and reassured her that BRAC would take responsibility for Jesmin. Finally, Jesmin was admitted in a BRAC pre-primary school having her tuition waived and finally was given the opportunity to turn her life around.

Jesmin used this opportunity to unleash her potential. As an avid and dedicated student, Jesmin now views her teacher as a motherly figure and now responds well to spontaneous curricular activities. She dreams of furthering here education, which she knows will allow her to succeed in her life. At a parents' meeting, Jesmin’s grandmother expressed her gratitude: "BRAC has given me the opportunity to continue my grandchild's education."

Jesmin’s story is another example of how BRAC provides resources for the marginalised to truly unlock their potential.