Nozrul Islam

Inspectors had called for the closure of the nine-storey building that housed five garment factories, a shopping complex and a bank. So far, 304 are known to have died. More than 2,000 people are injured and another 372 are still missing. The factories supplied major retailers, like Britain's Primark.

The apostolate of education among the Bagdi tribal in Manikgonj District, a very poor and illiterate population, is one of PIME’s commitments in Bangladesh. Launched in 2000, the mission is hampered by regular landslides and erosion caused by rivers. Today hundreds of children go to school.

Strikes (hartal) and acts of violence continue across the country, especially against Hindus. Fears are growing among Buddhists, Christians and tribal communities. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party joins Jamaat-e-islami seeking the fall of the government. Islamist blogs provide instructions on how to sabotage railway lines, disrupt demonstrations and attack police.

An agreement between Russia and Bangladesh, 500 million dollars for the construction of the first nuclear power plant in the country. A local source tells AsiaNews "an ambitious deal that compromises basic needs: food, education, housing." In the country, 1/3 of the population lives on less than a dollar a day.

The '"hartal" organized by the Nationalist Party (BNP) paralyzed the capital of Bangladesh. The opposition calls for early elections, but the government stalls . Increased social tensions, fueled by politically motivated violence.

Local sources speaking to AsiaNews, anonymous for security reasons, exclude religious motivation. The Rohingyas have exploited the tension of the last few days resulting from the anti-Muhammad film to attract attention to their social demands. Police arrested 166 people over attacks on Buddhist temples and villages. The sources warn: "The consequences are more severe for the tribals."

Taken by intermediaries after they convince village families to pay for an education at pseudo hostels, the children are in fact brought to madrassas (Islamic schools) where imams force them to abjure Christianity. The latest case has a happy ending however when 11 children were able to escape from captivity.

The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami protest the disappearance of BNP leader Ilias Ali, missing since 17 April. Human rights groups slam the government for the rising numbers of people going missing (22 this year, 53 since 2010), a practice the government is said to use to silence troublesome voices and contain dissent.

She sings, dances, plays, does well in school and plays tricks. Since January, she has been living in Shehonir, a "House of caring' run by Sr Dipika who gives her love to Sima and the other children: orphans, poor or physically disabled. Although living away from home, her mother can always visit her when she wants.

Founded in 2006, Hill Child Home is located in the Bandarban Hill Tract and welcomes orphaned, abandoned, poor and disabled boys and girls. The Moon-Light K.G. School founded nearby, open to hostel residents and external students. According to its founder Mong Yeo Marma, a Buddhist, "education is the cornerstone of a state and access to study for all young people is the only way to change".

The girl, who is now ten years old, is at peace with herself but will have to undergo operations throughout her life because the acid damaged her facial muscles and her skin is not growing as fast as her skeleton. After spending three months in prison, the father repudiated his wife and created a new family. At the same time, he was pocketing Sima’s disability money. Thanks to Giovanna Danieletto, an Italian businesswoman, the girl will now have a new home and be able to go to school.

Structured in nine days, each on a different topic, the course helps young men and women discover their vocation, whether it is marriage, the consecrated life or politics. It involves many activities, from group wall journals to theatre and field trips.