The ABC Charity School, in Dhaka Bangladesh, is a school for street children inspired by Eglal Rousseau whose love for these street children gives them an opportunity to make a difference in their lives. Eglal, a teacher at the American International School, Dhaka (AIS/D) loved the children from these slums. She began feeding one child each day at her home and was soon feeding over 100 children daily. When Eglal left Dhaka for another overseas posting, her friends at AIS/D started the ABC School in her name to continue her good work by giving these children new hope for their lives through education. Dr. David Fussell, then principal of the Elementary School at AIS/D took up the endeavor and organized the ABC School program with the help of many other volunteers. David acquired a site for the school, hired teaching staff, solicited funding and organized the original curriculum. The curriculum was designed to teach basic skills in language and mat and to teach the children some English. Supporting these children with expenses related to further schooling beyond ABC was also planned. In addition, programs were established at the school to help with daily cleanliness, medical expenses for the children and their families and daily lunches. Once the school was operational, a Board of Directors was established to oversee the school’s growth and progress. The school now provides the children with education, meals, medical care and all other necessities so as to improve their lives.
