Mother’s personal struggle transforms into haven for children with disabilities in Gazipur
Photo Collected
A personal struggle to secure education for her own intellectually disabled daughter has blossomed into a beacon of hope for dozens of families in Gazipur’s Kaliakoir upazila. Shamsunnahar Kabir, who founded the Mahmuda Adarsha Protibondhi School in 2014, launched the initiative with just five students after facing repeated rejection from mainstream institutions. Today, the facility provides free education, medical support, and rehabilitation services to 80 children with special needs, offering a vital alternative to the social neglect these families previously endured.
The school, which now operates from a permanent site in South Kalampur, has evolved significantly from its origins in a rented house. Five dedicated teachers lead a curriculum that balances formal learning with extracurricular activities, including sports, arts, handicrafts, and computer skills training. According to the school’s administration, this holistic approach is designed not only to impart knowledge but to foster the independence necessary for these students to eventually integrate into the workforce.
The impact of the institution has drawn attention from both government and international observers. Since gaining registration under the Department of Social Services in 2022, the school has functioned under a 13-member committee tasked with ensuring operational transparency and educational quality. Students currently benefit from government-provided textbooks, education stipends, and essential welfare support, while the facility has received upgrades including office infrastructure and water supply systems.
Local stakeholders emphasize the transformative effect the school has had on the community. Parents report that their children, once isolated and confined to their homes, are now thriving through social interaction and structured learning. The initiative’s success is further evidenced by a milestone partnership with the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralyzed (CRP), which has successfully facilitated employment for 20 of the school’s graduates. The program’s effectiveness has even garnered international recognition, drawing visits from South Korean social workers interested in its model of care.
Looking ahead, Shamsunnahar Kabir envisions a future where further technological integration and specialized therapy equipment can expand the school’s reach. Local authorities, including Kaliakoir Upazila Executive Officer A.H.M. Fakhrul Hossain and Gazipur District Administrator Mohammad Nurul Karim Bhuiyan, have pledged continued oversight and support to ensure the institution can accommodate more students. As the district administration works to formalize additional aid, the school remains a testament to the idea that with proper resources and social inclusion, children with special needs can move beyond the margins to become active, contributing members of society.
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