The Struggle to Afford High School Textbooks in Bangladesh
January 12010
A year’s worth of textbooks for a student in Grade Nine in rural Bangladesh cost about $13 US Dollars. But many high school students drop out because they can’t afford to buy them.
In this short video, I meet a Grade Nine student struggling to buy his textbooks for the year. I buy the books for him and – to show his thanks – he sings a song.
Here is some information in Bangladesh Rickshaw Drivers:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rickshaw#Bangladesh
I dedicate this video to all those watching my videos from High Schools back home.
The list was compiled based on those who joined the Uncultured Project Facebook Group at:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=18807049968
For More Information on My Work in Bangladesh, check out my Blog at:
http://uncultured.com
The music in this video (in order used) are:
“How Far” – Jamison Young
Music by Jamison Young is used under a Creative Commons license. You can download his music for free at:
http://jamyoung.net/music.html
I’ve recently setup a PayPal account because so many people have been asking if they can send me donations. More information here:
http://uncultured.com/donations
Donations to me aren’t tax deductible as I am not a charity or NGO. If you’d like to donate to a registered charity, check out:
http://uncultured.com/charities
This video is shared under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA license.
Duration : 0:2:21
[youtube -InFpHhTKdQ]
January 1st, 2010 at 11:21 am
This is absolutely …
This is absolutely beautiful.
You’ve inspired me to want to take action.
January 1st, 2010 at 11:21 am
thats nice
ill … 
ill like helping poor kids in need may god blesss you
thats nice
January 1st, 2010 at 11:21 am
may god bless man
may god bless man
January 1st, 2010 at 11:21 am
You will be blessed …
You will be blessed for your help
January 1st, 2010 at 11:21 am
I really appreciate …
I really appreciate ur work.
January 1st, 2010 at 11:21 am
Ive been watching …
Ive been watching your videos from the beginning, & your work and determination never wavers. Great work. But ill admit your attempt at bangla cracks me up & Im sure you bring a smile to the people there as well Which btw make me like you even more, you weren’t raised there, so for you to feel the need to do something for a country that your not expected to feel anything since you weren’t raised there is amazing Maybe itll set an example for the people that actually live there
January 1st, 2010 at 11:21 am
dam we Americans …
dam we Americans are sooo ungrateful …
January 1st, 2010 at 11:21 am
I don’t know what …
I don’t know what he said, but don’t worry about it. I think what you’re doing is tremendous and is much more important than your ability to speak bangla as an american-born bengali, which is actually not too bad in comparison to some kids I’ve met that are born and raised in the states to bengali parents and yet cannot speak a single bengali word properly!
January 1st, 2010 at 11:21 am
haha – if he sells …
haha – if he sells the book instead of uses it to stay in school, than it’s his loss – not mine. At least with the book, he has a choice – before his poverty forced him to choose.
And, if I were him, I would totally sell the book – AFTER I’m done the school year and am finished with the book
January 1st, 2010 at 11:21 am
hey what up man , u …
hey what up man , u did good job , but u know the Bangladeshi people is cheater , i watch the video . u gave him book, but don’t know that he gonna sale the book in library , so u got a know , don’t gave in Bangladesh , sorry for course ,
January 1st, 2010 at 11:21 am
Hi, my name is …
:D
Hi, my name is Yasin, i am 15. I just wanted to say thanks as i am doing a school project on poverty and your videos have been a amaising help. Thanks
January 1st, 2010 at 11:21 am
Helping People, …
Helping People, Good Job
Keep it in mind
GOODNESS always PAY
You will get it back from the almighty GOD.
January 1st, 2010 at 11:21 am
It isnt necessary …
It isnt necessary for everyone to be fluent in the language that his parents or forefathers spoke !! given that the person wasnt raised in the same land and had the same first language. I was born in Bangladesh, and I can play guitar, does this mean tht every bangladeshi has to be able to play it ?? YES ur statement is as absurd as that…For a person who resides outside Bangladesh, knowing how to speak Bangla is not the FIRST priority .
January 1st, 2010 at 11:21 am
motherland is proud …
motherland is proud of u
January 1st, 2010 at 11:21 am
wow this really …
wow this really makes me appreciate what is handed to me freely.
also i liked afzal’s song lol
January 1st, 2010 at 11:21 am
hooray for shawn
hooray for shawn
January 1st, 2010 at 11:21 am
Shawn, I am heading …
Shawn, I am heading over to Dhaka next week. Would love to get a cup of coffee and catch up .. let me know if you are around ..
January 1st, 2010 at 11:21 am
i am amazed that …
i am amazed that its costs only $13 for textbooks in bangladesh. At that rate i could have helped out over 10 bangladeshi kids.
but anyway, keep up the great work shawn. I would totally donate to your cause, but i dont have a credit card or anything. Once my parents give me one, i will donate generously
January 1st, 2010 at 11:21 am
Thanks Rony
… 
Great to know you’re still checking out my videos. You’ve been a supporter for a long time now.
Thanks Rony
January 1st, 2010 at 11:21 am
I may not be able …
I may not be able to speak proper Bengali. But, as your comment clearly demonstrates, you can’t speak proper anything.
January 1st, 2010 at 11:21 am
WTF…?? R u …
WTF…?? R u telling me the presenter guy can’t speak Bangla properly..?? I was born in Sydney & speak perfect Bangla…!! the dick-face trying to prove himself he’s a great motha-faka came frm ovaseas to solve our poverty..>!! mate, get fucked, eat but don’t eat too much otha wise u’ll get extra fat…!(u r fat enough)!
January 1st, 2010 at 11:21 am
Shawn, You are a …
Shawn, You are a true symbol of what Americans stand for. Imagine what we could have done if we stopped spending millions on Bombs and buy books instead…
January 1st, 2010 at 11:21 am
good job gentleman. …
good job gentleman. I want to contribute too.
January 1st, 2010 at 11:21 am
Supply & demand. …
Supply & demand. Education sadly is economic. My calculus book cost me $300. What’s funny is I need another one.
Americans face the same problem in college, but educations takes on a whole new meaning there versus here. We go to college in the hopes living very comfortably and finding a good career.
They go to school to prevent themselves from a life of peasant work and in the hopes that they can have an actual job. That means a new world for that kid.
Donate to this guy. I did. $2 or $200…
January 1st, 2010 at 11:21 am
900 taki = 13 US …
900 taki = 13 US dollars?! that’s even worse than China’s exchange! but I find that there is something romantic about an unmaterialistic world…I mean life in America can be tough too! Too many things we don’t need.