The Floating Library
In a world of constantly changing climates, Bangladesh is frequently finding themself under water. Being such a flood prone country, especially during monsoon season, it has become hard for communities to develop. Providing proper education and healthcare is not exactly an easy task in such a situation.
Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha is a non-profit organization registered with the Bangladesh government that has come up with a unique solution to allow the country’s people access to the resources they deserve.
This organization runs a fleet of 54-vessels that includes floating schools, libraries, health clinics, and training centers. Shidhulai aspires to transform the waterways of the region into pathways of education, information and technology. Serving close to 97,000 people in flood-prone areas, they hope to help lift these people out of poverty.
What is truly amazing is that not only does this organization care about providing an education to children in the form of school boats, they are also invested in ensuring a continued education for the people of Bangladesh by creating library boats!
Some of the library boats that float along the Bangladesh water pathways contain the complete facilities of a standing library. This means they can hold about 1,500 books, 2 to 4 computers with Internet access, printers and mobile phones! The computers are even run by solar energy from panels on the boat.
These amazing library boats allow children, youths, adults and senior citizens to learn computer skills and get information on agriculture, biodiversity, climate change, job opportunities, human rights, government processes and services!
Despite the difficulties caused by the constant flooding, the people of Bangladesh are able to stay in touch with education thanks to Shidhulai and their transformed boats!
You can learn more about the floating libraries and Shidhulai by visiting their website here!