There is an old adage that goes, “diamonds are formed under pressure”. Tough situations make a person strong enough to handle them. After surviving such situations, a person becomes so strong that he or she becomes an example for themselves and others. Such is the story of Mamun Malik of Kolkata, who himself could not complete seventh grade, not because he wasn’t smart enough but because his family could not pay his tuition. Now he is responsible for the education of over 6500 children. Here is his inspiring story:
Mamun runs four English medium schools named Samaritan Help Mission School in Kolkata. This school is especially a haven for the students who come from desolate and poor families. He was inspired to start this due to his own life experiences. Mamun, who belonged to a poor family, was once a bright student but due to financial reasons he had to leave school after class seven. His family could not even pay his school tuition.
Although he had to stop attending school, that did not halt his studies. He started teaching some children from his home and acquired 12th grade education by himself at his home.
But appalled by his own experience, Mamun decided that he would definitely do something for the other children who may be experiencing similar situations that he faced. He started a small initiative and started teaching needy children for free.
Mamun started educating poor children from his home. But he realised that the monumental task that he had taken up could not be done alone. So he started an organisation named Samaritan Help Mission School. But unfortunately he was financially deprived for quite a long time. He read about the social work of US consulate general’s wife and asked her for help in his endeavours.
After reading his letter, she herself came to meet Mamun at his school. With her help, the school managed to receive a donation of Rs 10,000. This wasn’t the extent for her help however. She further helped the school gain publicity by getting articles about the school published in the newspapers.
Following this, the school started garnering attention, and help started pouring in from good Samaritans. This small initiative, that started from a small school has now transformed into 4 English Medium schools.
Nearly 6,500 students are enrolled in this school and are getting educated on a nominal fee. Mamun dreams of educating every needy child by opening many more schools. His lofty goals define him as a hero to the children, and he has determined to educate every child to the best of his abilities.