Mother-tongue Literacy for Indigenous Children in Bangladesh

In the remote village of Khattapara in northern Bangladesh, a small classroom glows with colour and song. Twenty children, aged four to six, sit cross-legged on the floor, reciting rhymes in Santali — their mother tongue. Their teacher, Aunty Mala*, smiles as she guides them through picture books and word cards, helping them take their first steps into literacy. 
 
Mala is part of the Santal community, one of many indigenous groups in Bangladesh who face barriers to education, healthcare, and opportunity. In her village, children often begin school in Bengali — a language they don’t speak at home. This language gap makes learning difficult and leaves many behind. 
 
But Mala is changing that story. 
 
“She has devoted herself to enlightening the children of her community through education,” shares a Bangladesh Bible Society Project Facilitator. “She is not just a teacher, but a social reformer. She has shown that proper guidance and empathy can transform the future of an entire community.”

Mala’s classroom is part of the Bangladesh Bible Society’s Pre-Primary Literacy for Rural Children project, which aims to reach 600 children across 30 literacy classes in remote areas. The program teaches basic literacy skills in the children’s mother tongue, preparing them for formal schooling and helping them connect with the word of God. 
 
In 2025, the project will expand to include 15 new literacy classes for Santal language communities, like Mala’s. Each class runs four days a week, using specially developed Santali-language textbooks, storybooks, and Bible verses. The goal is to help children read, write, and recite in Bengali while strengthening their spiritual foundation. 
 
Despite limited infrastructure, financial constraints, and social resistance to women in leadership, Mala continues to teach with joy and resilience. Her husband, a priest at the local Methodist church, supports her mission wholeheartedly. 
 
“She is a symbol of hope for Khattapara,” the facilitator adds. “Her story reminds us that even one individual can bring significant change, given dedication, compassion, and perseverance.” 
 
Your support makes stories like Mala’s possible. By providing Bibles and practical resources, you help teachers like her bring literacy, faith, and hope to children who might otherwise be left behind. 

Together, we can light the way for thousands of children in Bangladesh — one classroom, one Bible, one teacher at a time. 

*Name changed to protect privacy.

Support This Project