Dreams of a Leader: Ramchoron's Fight For The Horijon Community

[Irin Akter Shuchana]

Storytelling is an important aspect that shows the root cause, journey, and current status of an individual or a situation in a community.

My name is Irin Akter Shuchana, and I am the SALT Facilitator in Narayanganj and a proud member of the ARC Initiative. I conducted a SALT conversation with one of the community leaders of the Horijon community in Tanbazar City Colony, named Ramchoron. As part of the working procedure, the Horijon community cleans the streets to make the inhabitants' movement easier. They contribute to ensuring the roads are clean and fresh. They care about the well-being of the passersby; however, they are not treated as human beings, even by those who avail of the road facilities. 

Ramchoron is one of the members of the Horijon community. Drawing on the present situation, he said, "Necessity knows no law." He expressed that several Horijon community youths need proper job facilities, but in the absence of that, the youth communities force themselves to resort to drug & alcohol dealing. He praised the role of MP, to whom he advocated for better job opportunities for his son and other youth from their community. Ramchoron's son used to be a cleaner, and his father pulled him out to become the community leader.

At one point, Ramchoron started crying and shared that he had tried to advocate for and fight for his community. He was branded a madman for raising voices against injustice. He stopped advocating for the community from then on.

Ramchoron emphasized the importance of having a strong community leader who will lead the community with honesty and integrity, which he dreams of seeing after five years. He is dedicated to ensuring that the children in our community have access to quality education, despite the current lack of good schools and colleges in the area.

On the journey of life, there will be hurdles. I learned how support from community members is crucial to bringing about change in the community. I believe that a sincere parent could drive positive changes in the community.

[Rituu B. Nanda]

I value the lesson you have drawn from the SALT conversation. Thanks Shuchana!

[Farjana Yeasmin]

I'm move reading his journey and motivation @Shuchana. Thanks for sharing!

No one can improve the situation and fate of a community, if they themselves are not motivated enough to seat on the driver's seat. I'm happy that we are working together with people like Ramchoron Bhai who wants to take on the leadership towards positive changes.