Bangladesh

The dream school of Dukhu Mia stands as a testament to hope

Altaf Hossain from Narsingdi’s Panchdona was born without arms, but that has not deterred him from his goal of enlightening the world through his Protibha Dukhu Mia Kindergarten School.

Muhammad Mostafigur Rahman

bdnews24.com

Published : 04 Jun 2024, 11:27 AM

Updated : 04 Jun 2024, 11:27 AM

He now wants to turn the educational institution into a high school. Altaf Hossain’s parents had lost two children before his birth in Narsingdi’s Panchdona in 1962. When he was born without arms, his parents nicknamed him Dukhu (meaning sorrow) Mia.

Though he had no arms, Dukhu Mia was not ready to live the life of a defeated man.

With an iron will, he taught himself to write using his right foot. He passed his secondary and higher secondary certificate exams, graduating from Narsingdi Government College in 1986.

Despite his achievements, he could not find work. Finally, he started to tutor students privately but it was not enough to make his family’s ends meet. Dukhu Mia's disability was a major hindrance to getting a job. For a long time, he tried to pursue regular work. But over time, he grew tired of the situation. Then he decided to strike out on his own.

Dukhu Mia's disability was a major hindrance to getting a job. For a long time, he tried to pursue regular work. But over time, he grew tired of the situation. Then he decided to strike out on his own.

Every morning, Dukhu Mia conducts a parade with the students before the academic classes begin.

Dukhu Mia provides lessons regularly at every grade of the Pratibha Dukhu Mia Kindergarten School. He writes on the blackboard with the chalk grasped between his toes.

He does all the work performed by a classroom teacher with his feet. He even writes official letters with them Before the coronavirus pandemic, Dukhu Mia had more than 200 students at the school. The school was closed for a long time during the pandemic and the number dropped to 120. Students also moved away as some factories in the area were shut.