Born into a life of hardship, Rahat did not have a chance to go to school. At the age of nine, he now sells peanuts at Bangabandu Udyan in Barisal city to eke out a living.  

He had always been interested to go to school -- a long-cherished dream of becoming educated like other children of his age. Meanwhile, the good news is that his dream has come to be true as he has recently started going to school. 

A group of 22 students of Barisal University and Govt BM College came up with an initiative to establish a school, giving a ray of hope for underprivileged children like Rahat to get an education.

“I never had the opportunity to go to school; but now I attend the school twice a week,” said a smiling Rahat, while recently talking to this correspondent at the school -- Shapno Puron Bidda Niketon -- in the city. 

Marking the country's 48th Independence Day, the school started its operations with 48 underprivileged children of different slums in the city. Around 70 students are currently enrolled in the school. 

The founders of the school formed a voluntary organisation named "Uchsash" in early 2017, with Barisal University student Proshonjit Kumar Saha at the helm. The school is being run under the organisation and the 22 founding members are conducting classes voluntarily from primary to fifth grade.

Situated in an open space in Tirish Godown area of the city, the school starts at 3:00pm and finishes at 5:00pm on every Friday and Saturday.

While talking to The Daily Star, Proshonjit said the organisation is working for the development of underprivileged children, particularly street children.

The teachers even counsel the guardians to send their kids to the school as most children are working at different professions for earning their livelihood, he said.

A teacher of the school, Mourie Binte Azad, said, “We offer them not only education but also new dress and food on different occasions.”

"Spending time with the children means a lot to me," said Israt Jahan, another teacher of the school.

Students are also passionate about the school.

First-grader Jonaki said, “We like the school very much. Teachers love us and we also love our teachers.”

Rafiqul Islam, another student, wants the school authorities to increase the number of days instead of just two.

The school is also getting popular day by day as it provides good education, said Aysha Begum, the guardian of a student.

While explaining the features of the school, Proshonjit said, “We supply the education materials and toys among the students for free.” “We are now trying to register the school for which we have to pay a certain amount."

Asked about their financial base, Proshonjit said they have been continuing their activities with support from friends and classmates. 

He said, "As the rainy season is approaching, it will be a big challenge for us to continue the school activities in the absence of a school building. We can manage the situation if we get financial support.”