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Our Work

The uniqueness of our project is the simplicity - build/convert a boat, equip it with books and computers, power it with solar energy, and bring it to communities through the waterways.

Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha overcame the challenge that the ecosystem of Bangladesh poses and found an innovative way to deliver information and education to residents. Shidhulai has transformed the regions waterways into path ways for education, information and technology. Shidhulai has converted boats into schools, libraries, healthcare and trainings centers to the isolated waterside communities.

Shidhulai works in four themes: Learning, Sustainable Agriculture, Healthcare and Climate Change.

Shidhulai, largest knowledge resource centre in north-west Bangladesh

While working with the people at the river basins, Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha felt the urgent need of a central Library & Training Center for imparting intensive trainings on technology and sustainable agriculture to the communities. With this view in mind, Shidhulai has developed a Central Library, Technology Centre and Regional Headquarters in Chalanbeel region.

All these facilities are placed in a large building surrounded by a water body and agricultural fields within five acres (20,000 square meters) of lands. The complex is known as Shidhulai, which is in operation for last two years. It imparts training courses on computer, technology, sustainable agriculture and human rights to thousands students and educators. Apart from that beneficiaries get access to books and information resources. The Central Library has internet linked PC’s, 50,000 books and periodicals, and the Technology Centre is equipped with more than 100 computers.

Changing livelihoods

During the height of monsoon the riverside low lying area goes under water, and boat school moves from door to door to ensure the continuation of education.

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Solar lamps help people to spend more time in night time work which has increased their income.

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Changing our approach

The Chalanbeel was under flood water during June-September 2007. Thousands of families were out of their own villages for few months. Unfortunately the children of these families were also out of education. Some Shidhulai boats were used for the transportation and temporarily provided shelters. But Shidhulai found it difficult in addressing such situation like two floods in a year. Therefore Shidhulai shifted its focus from providing only education and technology services. Now Shidhulai addresses to adopt and mitigate climate change at the same time providing education and information services.

With the experience of last year’s flood Shidhulai is developing Climate Shelters (a floating housing project for the climate refugees or flood victims) within 2008. In total, Shidhulai has 88 boats, now 42 boats are in operation, and with the remaining 46 boats Shidhulai is trying to convert it into Climate Shelters. These shelters will be used to accommodate flood victims as well as work as the houses for homeless because of massive erosion or flood.

Earlier 30 boats were only used as battery re-charging stations, which is no longer in operation. The facilities like solar systems and battery chargers of these boats have been shifted to the boats in operation. Now 21 boats are working as school, library and battery re-charging stations, 5 boats are used for onboard agricultural training and 4 boats for evening educational show on large sail-cloth, 5 boats are used for the healthcare and 7 boats for the workshop, transportation, waste management etc.

Free access to education and information

Shidhulai has a strong sense of the need to lift people out of poverty first, therefore, the users pay nothing for the services. In particular, Shidhulai believes that everyone has a right to free education, and also to information that helps improve sustainability. The only exception at present is payment for some mobile phone calls and bicycle pumps. This approach may change for some products in future, because solar lamps are helping people to set up a profitable business, and are creating an ability to pay.

Related Info

Case Study

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: ‘Bangladesh Organization uses boats to deliver education and technology to flood-prone regions’

Council on Library and Information Resources: ‘Shidhulai Swarnivar Sangstha: Bringing Information Technology to Rural Bangladesh by Boat’ by Arshad Mahmud, Washington

Related Links

Agence France-Presse (AFP): ‘Bangladesh children flock to school on water’ by Helen Rowe, Dhaka