• Education
• / 02/09/2024

In the remote village of Talamgach, Bangladesh, a single classroom made of bamboo and tin is more than just a school, it’s a beacon of hope. Here, 35 children, half of them girls, are learning to read, write, and dream. This is GARD’s "Community-Led School" model in action.

At GARD, we believe education is the most powerful catalyst for sustainable development. But for too many, school is inaccessible: too far, too expensive, or culturally out of reach, especially for girls.

Our Approach: Building Schools With Communities, Not For Them

Instead of dropping prefabricated solutions, GARD partners with villages from day one. We facilitate community meetings where parents, elders, and youth decide:

• The school’s location

• The timing of classes (to accommodate farming seasons)

• The recruitment of local teachers (often young women whom we train intensively)

In Talamgach, the community donated the land and helped build the structure. In return, GARD provided teacher training, books, learning materials, and a nutritious midday meal, a key incentive for parents to send their daughters.

The Ripple Effect of a Single Classroom

Meet Aisha, 9, our first-generation learner. Her mother, Fatima, never attended school. Now, Fatima attends our weekly adult literacy class held in the same school after hours. Aisha’s father, Karim, joined GARD’s sustainable agriculture training. The family’s income has increased, and they’ve decided Aisha will study as long as she wishes.

“This school didn’t just teach my daughter,” says Karim. “It taught our whole family that change is possible.”

The Data Behind the Story

• In the last year, our community-led schools in Bangladesh and Kenya have achieved a 92% daily attendance rate.

• Girls’ enrollment in our programs has increased by 60% in two years.

• 87% of students passed their regional competency exams, surpassing the district average.

Education is not a standalone intervention. It’s the thread that connects healthier families, stronger local economies, and resilient communities. By starting with education, we’re not just filling minds with knowledge, we’re empowering entire communities to build their own pathways out of poverty.

What’s Next? We’re scaling this model to 15 new villages in Malawi this year.