Mohammed Zonaid
In the dusty alleys of Kutupalong Camp-1E, a place that for thousands signifies survival and struggle, lives 14-year-old Mohammed Shahad. Although his world was once confined to the lush landscapes of Mee Gaung Zay village in Myanmar’s Buthidaung Township, today, his sights are set on something much bigger—becoming a scientist.
Shahad is a Class Eight student at Pyinnar Shwe Oo High School, a private high school in the camp. Though many view science as a complex field, Shahad sees it as his key to a brighter future. “In our camp, there are no scientists. I want to change that,” he says, eyes gleaming with the hope that studying science might one day help him make a lasting impact on his community.
His journey to Bangladesh seven years ago was nothing short of a harrowing ordeal. He recalls being a cheerful Class Three student in his village before they had to flee. The trek to Bangladesh took seven days, a journey his family undertook with only one goal—staying alive. Today, Shahad lives in a crowded shelter with his parents and eight siblings. He’s the sixth child, and all his siblings attend school despite their family’s economic hardships.
Shahad’s father, Mohammed Ullah, is a dedicated Tabligh worker, while his mother manages the household. Despite limited resources, his elder brother supports him by covering his monthly school fees, which amount to 700 Bangladeshi Taka. Shahad appreciates this support, aware that his education could be cut short without it. Over 700 students study at Pyinnar Shwe Oo High School, each with their dreams and struggles, just like Shahad. His teachers, who work with NGOs during the day, give private lessons in the evening, giving Shahad and his classmates a taste of formal education.
Shahad’s path to education has been filled with twists and turns. After reaching Bangladesh, he joined an informal class with his uncle, which led him to Mukti, a UNICEF-supported school. Later, he enrolled in ERG (Education for Rohingya Generation), where he studied up to Class Seven before the school had to close. Now at Pyinnar Shwe Oo, he feels fortunate to have reached Class Eight, but the limitations weigh heavily on him.
Despite these constraints, Shahad has discovered another passion—painting. He has won several prizes for his artwork, which he uses as a tool to express his dreams and scientific imagination. “Through painting, I can practically portray my thoughts, especially ideas I learn in science class,” he explains. His art reflects his hopes, a creative channel where he envisions himself conducting experiments and discovering new things. But reality quickly sobers him up. “We don’t have land, and we don’t have the opportunity to study,” he says. Shahad longs for a science lab in the camp, a place where he and his classmates could see their lessons come to life.
Shahad’s story is also marked by a deep longing for his homeland. He misses his friends from Class Three and the familiar places of his childhood, like his village mosque and the nearby government school. “I want to go back to Myanmar,” he says, with a quiet determination. But until that day comes, Shahad will continue to pursue his dreams in Kutupalong, hoping that his passion for science and art will someday bridge the gap between his aspirations and the reality of life in a refugee camp.
Through his words, Shahad appeals to the world, urging for better educational resources in the camps. His plea is not just for himself but for thousands of Rohingya children whose dreams are stifled by their surroundings.
