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Porbotasroi Children's Village

In three hilly districts namely Rangamati, Bandorban and Khaghrachury (Chittagong, South East Bangladesh) live a notable number of aboriginal people (Chakma, Marma, Kheyan, Tripura, Murang, Bomb, Khumi, Pangkho, Murmu etc.) under challenging socio-economic and environmental conditions. Due to these circumstances they are deprived from educational, economic and infrastructural development.

The hilly areas and lakes make it difficult for people to set up communication systems and to improve the infrastructure. The lack of good infrastructure reduces the opportunities for children from these three districts to get access to education. In addition to that, all indigenous groups have their own language and culture, prior to their Bengali culture and identity. Over the last years the influence of the Bengali culture has increased and is gradually changing that, which may result in the loss of the tribal identity among individuals of indigenous groups in the Hill Tracts.

To strengthen and maintain their indigenous identity in an increasing influence of Bengali culture, SHED Board and Bangladesh Baptist Church Shangha (BBCS) are seeking to support the children of this area to embrace their indigenous identity and to provide regular schooling for them. Access to education and regular schooling for the children from Ancholic Baptist Church Shangha (ABCS) church communities of the Hill Tracts will impact the lives of the children and bring a positive change in the socio-economic condition of those deprived families.

SHED Board established the Rangamati Children Village (RCV) in November 2014, with the financial and technical support of Liebenzell Mission International (LMI) to improve the education development for the children of ABCS, who live in these three districts.
The RCV is surrounded by trees and lakes; it also is connected to infrastructure through a road that leads to Chittagong city (the district capital).
The RCV has a holistic child development approach. The boys are given good education which is the foundation to higher education. They’re also given hands-on teaching in domestic and agricultural skills. They are provided with a variety of activities during the week to support their spiritual growth and understanding of their Christian faith. In the area the RCV is known as “Porbotasroi Shishu Sadan Rangamati” (PSSR).

Long-term Goals

• Establishing a standard Pre-School inside the hostel campus.
• Equipping children in times of need.
• Providing a good education to increase the chances of a better future for the direct beneficiaries and their families.
• Supporting the children in their personal growth.
• Preparing the children to become good leaders in their families, communities and churches in the near future.