Wahidur Rehman is a CBR worker from Goalpara who has been working with Shishu Sarothi for almost a decade. During one of his home visits, he noticed that Sokiton, a child with cerebral palsy (CP), was at home during school hours, even though she was enrolled in a nearby government school, Nabajyoti Adarsha Vidyalaya.
Concerned, Wahidur visited the school to understand the situation better. The teacher informed him that Sokiton had been frequently absent in recent days, which was marked in red in the attendance register. This irregular attendance was worrying, as she was falling behind in her studies due to her absences.
The reason for this became clear during further discussions. As Sokiton was growing older, it was becoming increasingly difficult for her mother to carry her on her back to school. Coming from a conservative society, it was also considered inappropriate for her brothers to carry her. As a result, Sokiton was often confined to her home and unable to attend school regularly.
Wahidur CBR worker with Sokiton during home visit.
The mother expressed her wish for a battery-operated wheelchair so that her daughter could move independently and integrate into society. At that moment, Wahidur, knowing how difficult it was to arrange a battery chair, could only assure her that he would try. Sokiton had once owned an old wheelchair, but it broke down while being pushed up a slope near their house on the direct road to school.
On another visit to Hasilapara in Goalpara, Wahidur met Zuareah Parbin, a child with severe CP. While visiting their home, he noticed a wheelchair lying unused in a corner. When he asked about it, the father explained that it was no longer in use, as Zureah did not fit into it and, over time, Zuareah had become bedridden. Upon hearing about Sokiton and learning that her family had formally applied for a wheelchair but had not yet received one, the father readily agreed to donate the wheelchair.
Father of Zuareah Prabin- Osman Goni who donated the wheelchair.
A few days later, the father cleaned the wheelchair until it looked almost new, folded it, and handed it over to Wahidur, who then passed it on to Sokiton. In a recent follow-up, Wahidur found that Sokiton had resumed attending school. Although the route she now takes is longer, it avoids the khal (marshy land) along the shorter path, making travel safer.
This thoughtful connection made by the CBR worker, Wahidur Rehman, has enabled Sokiton to continue her education and move closer to her dreams, restoring hope for her future.
Wahidur Rehman handing over the wheelchair to Sokiton’s mother.