Orphan with Parents
The story of Merina Marandi
When Merina was in the fifth grade, her grandma tried to talk her into a marriage. The wedding would have been a way out of their miserable situation. Grandma organized everything and kept pushing Merina to the marriage. Merina felt absolutely hopeless. She was to marry a stranger…
Smiling 13-year-old Merina Marandi goes to the SAMS boarding school in Northwest Bangladesh. She found a friend and a decent environment there. She is studious, likes reading, and helps out with various jobs at the school two hours a day. She comes from a village called Rameshopur where the language of the Santhal people is spoken. She has an older brother Shaminto and a younger sister Putul. Shaminto goes to a public school; Putul attends SAMS like her sister.
Since early childhood, Merina depended on her grandma who encouraged her to attend a village school. They did not own any land, only a calf and a hen. Grandma worked as a day laborer, having an unstable and low income, which was not enough to make ends meet. Sometimes, the children did not eat for a whole day and went to bed hungry. Although their parents were alive, the children grew up as orphans.
Parents
Merina thinks back with tears in her eyes: “When I was little, our dad left us. He went to a far-away village and married another woman. Our mom was very young. Three months later, she left us, too. She went away and married another man. Both my parents live someplace far away… And I have never seen them since then. I don’t remember what they look like. I don’t know their faces. I was little when they left. Grandma told me my dad’s name is Mercel and my mom is Varoti.”
Grandma
Merina’s grandmother struggled to take care of three children. That was not an easy task for an illiterate widow. Finding a job was very difficult. The kids had always helped out with carrying water, cooking and housework. Little Shaminto, the only man in the family, helped in the field from time to time. It was not enough. They often suffered from hunger. Grandma was desperate.
When Merina was in the fifth grade, her grandma tried to talk her into a marriage. The wedding would have been a way out of their miserable situation. Grandma organized everything and kept pushing Merina to the marriage. Merina felt absolutely hopeless. She was to marry a stranger…
SAMS
A miracle happened: she escaped. A teacher from the village school in Rameshopur she attended helped her. It was an emergency; he persuaded the administrators of the SAMS boarding school of this girl’s needs and arranged for her getting orphan’s benefits. After some time, Merina has gotten a donor from the Czech Republic who supports her education.
Merina adds: “I am thankful both for SAMS and my donor. Even though I don’t know him, I like him. I would love to see what he looks like. I would like to have his picture. He’s the only one who supports my education in the long term; my grandma is not able to do that. But sometimes my brother also helps me. He gives me money for notebooks, pencils and soap.”
Merina does not visit her grandma back at home. She still likes her – after all, she took care of her as a baby – but she does not want to make things more difficult for her grandma who lives in poverty. Such is the fate of some supported children.
Dreams
In spite of her dramatic story, Merina – like every child – has dreams. Dreams about going to the school and her own future, she says: “I’m doing well at school. I like ethics and group discussions in class. I would like to finish 12 grades and become a nurse. I don’t know what the future will bring but this is my dream.”
