Oh wow! What a grand celebration!
People have gathered from every location.
Young and old, from near and far,
welcome, guests, to where we are!
First, we greet you with love and cheer,
To our knowledge fair—welcome here!
From many lands, our guests arrive.
In Byaspur village, the fair comes alive.
This grand event we bring to you,
through SALT, we’ve learned what to do.
Oh dear guests, please take our love,
and thanks to Grow Your Reader from above!
SALT has sparked a change so bright,
opening hearts and bringing new light.
We are students, young and free,
studying at Joynagar High with glee.
Greetings to all in this joyous weather,
with blooming flowers and fruits together.
From distant lands, our guests appear
to see our school and customs here.
In Byaspur, five villages stand.
Five hundred families work this land.
An old rail station lies right here,
and boat races bring us cheer.
Traditional Folk Song
"Grow Your Reader" made this fair,
with honored guests from everywhere.
Monira Ma’am and Prakash Sir
led this work with love and care.
A hundred SALT talks, side by side,
made our people aware with pride.
Oh, listen, dear guests, hear us well.
The tale of this fair, we’re here to tell!
Each day we faced problems, small and wide.
But SALT has taught us to turn the tide.
So now we solve them on our own.
With joy and hope, our minds have grown.
SALT has shown us how to think.
That problems are shared; their roots interlink.
So we sit together, search for a way,
and trust ourselves to lead the day.
With trust and care, we build this land,
Keeping it safe with a helping hand.
We learn, we teach, and we stand as one
to make this village second to none.
So let this fair be bright and grand.
Thanks to GFC and Grow Your Reader’s Hand.
A journey of knowledge, strong and wise.
Let’s build a future where hope will rise!
Salt
Salt Instruction
Joynagar High School’s Dream 2035
By 2035, we aim to transform our school into a model institution with a clean and well-maintained campus, safe drinking water facilities, a well-stocked library, an attractive flower garden, improved and hygienic toilets, a canteen, and a separate playground for girls. Various sports and cultural activities will be organized to promote a healthy mindset among students. We will increase the number of classrooms, ensure sufficient benches in classrooms, establish student clubs to prepare students for global standards, and introduce digital classrooms with multimedia facilities. Accommodation will be arranged for students from distant areas, and adequate dustbins will be placed throughout the campus. Additionally, we will set up a well-equipped common room for girls. Only then will we be able to build our dream school by 2035. By implementing modern training programs, we will develop skilled and qualified teachers, ensuring the most advanced learning environment.
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Joynagar High School’s Dream 2035 Poem
তোরা দেখ, তোরা দেখ, দেখরে চাহিয়া,
কিছু কথা বলছি আমরা শোন মন দিয়া।
তোরা দেখ, তোরা দেখ, দেখরে চাহিয়া,
জয়নগর হাই স্কুলের গল্প বলি শোনরে মন দিয়া।
স্মার্ট স্কুল গড়বো মোরা সবাই মিলিয়া
শিক্ষার্থীরা স্কুলে আসবে আনন্দে নাচিয়া।
বিজ্ঞান শিখবে, গনিত শিখবে, শিখবে নানান ভাষা
বিশ্ব জুড়ে নাম ছড়াবে এটাই মোদের আশা।
শিক্ষার ছলে করবে তারা ডিবেটিং আর খেলা
শিক্ষকরাও থাকবে সেথা সকাল সন্ধ্যাবেলা।
আমাদের স্কুল, আমাদের স্বপ্ন,
স্বপ্ন মোদের একটাই
আধুনিক বলো আর ডিজিটাল বলো,
২০৩৫ এ পূর্ণ হবে স্বপ্ন পুরোটাই।
Look, look, look and see,
We have something to say, so listen carefully.
Look, look, look and see,
Let us tell you the story of Joynagar High School, listen wholeheartedly.
Together, we’ll build a smart school for all,
Where students will come dancing with joy, standing tall.
They’ll learn science, they’ll learn math, and languages too,
Our hope is their names will spread across the world, far and true.
In the guise of learning, they’ll debate and play,
And teachers will be there, morning till end of day.
Our school, our dream,
And that dream is clear,
Modern, digital,
By 2035, it will all be here.
ECDO - Girl’s Sports (মেয়েরা খেলছে)
BRED - Iron-Free Water (আয়রনমুক্ত পানির ব্যবস্থা)
In Hijlipara, many parents were deeply worried about their children's growing mobile phone usage and lack of interest in studies. The absence of nearby tutors added to their concerns. Although the problem affected everyone, the community had never come together to discuss it—until Prakash Bhai and Monira Apa visited. Through SALT sessions, the parents began recognizing their own strengths and the power of collective action.
Afsana Apa, a community member with a background in teaching Arabic, volunteered to start teaching local children. Soon, around 20 children began studying with her. When she fell ill, the community didn’t give up. Led by Nipa Apa and Shampa apa. The mothers decided to share the responsibility, taking turns to teach the children. As a result, the children began studying regularly and significantly reduced their phone usage.
"Together for Our Children"
Mobile phone usage among children dropped by 50%, and study time increased by 1.5 hours daily. It is also possible to successfully bring school dropouts back into education through SALT conversations.
One such case is from Hijlipara, shared by Khushi Apa. Her son Tawhid had secretly stopped attending school and was spending time on his phone. Upon discovering the truth, the family sent him to work on a farm, hoping he'd reflect on his choices. Tawhid realized the importance of education and wanted to return to school. With assistance from Monira and Prakash, the family supported his return. Now, Tawhid attends school regularly, plays sports, helps at home, and has greatly reduced his phone usage.
These stories show how, through SALT, self-reflection, and ownership, families can bring about meaningful change in their children’s lives.
Mothers Team Experience Sharing
Arshirbad - Community School (কমিউনিটি স্কুল-খেলার মাধ্যমে শেখা)
DHARA - Community School (আমাদের পাঠশালা)
Alokito Kori - Dropout
The drama is about a village called Byaspur, where the grandparents were feeling very lonely. The children were always busy with their phones, and the parents were busy with work. No one had time to talk to the grandparents.
One day, two people named Prakash and Monira came and spoke to the grandparents. They asked them about their lives, challenges, and dreams. The grandparents felt happy to share. They talked about their grandchildren’s phone habits and also shared their dreams for them.
By talking with Prakash and Monira, the grandparents realized they still had many good stories and ideas to share to make a change.
“Grandparents Storytelling To Build Generational Bonding”
They could pass on these stories to their grandchildren to help them spend less time on their phones. So, they started a bi-monthly storytelling session. The children come to listen, and slowly, the parents join too. The children began to enjoy the stories and now use their phones less. The grandparents also became friends with one another. Now, everyone talks more, visits each other, and feels happy.
The storytelling session made the whole neighborhood more connected.
Energizer
They Are
Performing too!
Acknowledgement
In Uttarpara, an area of Byaspur village, a woman named Khatun was worried about her daughter, who spent too much time on her phone and avoided studying. When Monira Apa visited and spoke with the local women, they discussed the lack of teachers and playgrounds in the area and the children’s habit of using mobile phones. The children didn’t even know any games, so they spent most of their time on phones.
Soha, a ninth-grade student, volunteered to teach younger children at home. Inspired by this, the other women also decided to introduce traditional games to reduce phone usage and engage the children.
As a result, the children began studying more and spending less time on their phones.
A New Chapter in Uttarpara
Soha taught and played with them, and Khatun was overjoyed when her daughter confidently counted money.
Result:
The community has found simple, local solutions by using their own strengths—setting an inspiring example for more positive change ahead.
Choya & Shahana’s Team
In Dokkhinpara, while boys freely play cricket outside, the girls feel left out and discouraged—especially when teased by the boys. When the girls attempt to join, they were mocked and sent back by both the boys and their concerned families.
Things begin to change when Prakash, our SALT facilitator, initiates a thoughtful masculinity conversation with the boys. He encourages them to reflect on gender roles, societal privileges, and responsibilities. Through this dialogue, the boys realize that while they enjoy certain freedoms, girls are restricted due to safety concerns—concerns caused by the boys' own behavior.
Rana and Rakib admit their past mistakes and, with the group, pledge to change. They decide to support girls’ right to play safely.
"Masculinity, Reimagined"
The boys raise awareness by making posters and speaking to community members. Gradually, girls like Tanzila begin playing in the courtyard and reducing their screen time.
Result
Tanzila shares a personal story—she once faced harassment while going to school, but after informing Rana, the boys addressed the issue. She now goes to school safely and plays confidently after school. Inspired by this transformation, she aspires to become a SALT facilitator and promote mindset change in her village, believing small actions can lead to long-lasting impact.
tHE SPARK THAT
LIT THE CLASS
Razin Mahmud Khan Kabyo
Co-ordinator
Jashore After School Program
Previous Condition Of School
Exciting Lesson Plans
Decorated Classroom
Rewarding Students With Gifts
Parents Meeting
Home Visit
SALT With Parents
Drawing Book Of Maya
Rabeya’s Problem Solving
Group SALT
Parent’s Dream For Their Children
Student’s Dream For Themselves
Parents Presenting Their Dream
Students Presenting Their Dream
Our Motivation For Them
Our Classroom Now
Transformation
“The School We Dreamed,
The School We Built”
Salim Ahammad
Co-ordinator
Mymensingh Pahariyapara Agamir School
Pahariyapara Agamir School, Mymensingh
Occupations
Fishing
Agriculture
Brick Field
Mud House Of Pahariyapara
Transformation of Living
Mud House
Tin/Brick House
Mud House Turns Into Storage
Mud House
Storage
Existing Primary Schools and Muddy Road
Muddy Road
Primary School
Facebook Post about Jessore After School
GYRF Team Visit to Mymensingh
Group SALT
Young Leaders & Gofur Chacha
Co-Creation of School Design
Materials Donated By The Community
Bamboo
Soil
Land
Work In Progress
Inauguration
Field Preparation
Work In Progress
Side walls under construction
Door framing underway
Work In Progress
Roof framing in progress
Work In Progress
Plastered with mud
Roof structure completed
Dream Turns Into Reality
Our Dream School
“I have lived in this village since my childhood. People often neglect us because they assume that village folk are useless and incapable of doing anything. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to GYRF for encouraging us through powerful SALT conversations to unite and helping us believe that people can accomplish anything if they believe in themselves.“ - Salim Ahammad
GALLERY WALK