VISION STATEMENT

Our vision is to lay the foundation for a brighter future for the poor of Gopalgonj, Bangladesh, through free, broad-based, multidisciplinary education from early in life.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

* To help our students achieve their full potential despite poverty.

* To keep our students physically healthy and positive with hope for the future.

* To promote friendship and understanding with students in other countries.

* To promote the education of girls.

* To expand the school to Grade 12 in order to prepare our students for college and the working world.

Maleka Khatoon School is a free private elementary school for the poor in Bangladesh.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE

Maleka Khatoon School, a registered Canadian Charity, was established in March, 2006, by Shawkot Ali, a taxi driver from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Shawkot, a university graduate, was originally from Gopalgonj, Bangladesh, a city of approximately 150,000, located 150 km southwest of the capital city, Dhaka. Shawkot strongly believes in "grassroots change" to improve the future of the poor in his hometown.

“What could be a more effective and rewarding mechanism than focusing on open, broad-based education from childhood?”

With that vision in mind, he borrowed funds from his family and friends and, in 2006, created a school with eight students.

After reading about Shawkot Ali and his school in the Ottawa Citizen newspaper in 2007, Terry Dunlap, a local businessman, became involved and began fundraising here in Canada.

Today, there are close to 400 students and the school is growing. With the recent charitable designation from the Canadian government, the hope is that the school will grow and develop to Grade 12 in order to prepare the students for college and the working world.

WHERE THE MONEY GOES

• Out of the total number of students currently enrolled in the school, only a limited number of students pay to fully cover their fees, books, uniforms, transport, medical checkups, and medicines. These expenses are free for the rest. The goal is free education for all competent students once reliable and consistent funding is in place.

  
  On the way to a solid foundation for life

• Only 25% of the total annual expense of running the school is covered by fees and other charges paid by those students who can afford it. With funding, the goal is to cover 100% of all expenses.

• Each qualified teacher, based on need, is eligible to receive a loan of up to 5000 Taka for medical, home and other unplanned expenses. The loan is repaid each month in 500 Taka installments.

• Presently, the school offers classes from Nursery to Grade 5. The goal is to build a second school offering classes from Grades 6 to 12, thereby providing the children with a solid foundation for either entering college or the working world.

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