Lesson 4: River Gypsies in Bangladesh (2)

Key Words: survive, used to, inherit, mainstream, petty, trick, integral part, community, settle, urbanise (v), urban (adj)

A. Look at the pictures. Discuss with your partner and say who they are, where they are, what they are doing, etc.

B. Read the text and answer the following questions.

River gypsies in Bangladesh are having various problems. First, Bangladesh is getting urbanised very rapidly. Gypsy people are losing their customers in the urban population. Hence, their income is threatened. Secondly, 24,000 kilometers of previous waterways has shrunk into only 6,000 kilometers in the country in dry seasons.

Scientists believe that Bangladesh will be worst affected by global climate change. The unpredictable rain and drying out of rivers have made boat movement heavily restricted. Thirdly, many river gypsies are changing their lifestyle in the context of changed reality. They are thinking of living permanently on land. The authority feels that river gypsies need help to survive in the mainstream population. Therefore, the government is offering voting rights, permanent housing, and bank-loan facilities. However, changes do not come overnight.

Traditionally, river gypsies are used to water life. They have inherited from their forefathers necessary life skills to survive in waters. They have no education and training to adapt to mainstream modern society. So, the authority feels the need to bring them under a formal education network. But they have no permanent living place. Gypsy children are born and brought up on roaming boats. Therefore, they cannot go to conventional schools. And hence, mobile boat-schools are coming up for gypsy children. Some voluntary organizations are running special schools on boats to educate river gypsy children in some areas.

Questions

1. What are the main problems that river gypsies are facing?
2. What is the effect of global climate change in Bangladesh?
3. Why are many river gypsies thinking of changing their lifestyle?
4. Why can’t river gypsy children go to conventional schools?
5. Who are running special schools for river gypsy children? Why?

C. Listen to the teacher/CD and tick the best answer.

U7, L4C Listening Text: 7

1. Bedeys catch snakes during the winter/rainy/summer season.
2. Females of the bedey families contribute to the family income/education/health with petty trades.
3. They sometimes go vending far from home by rickshaw/on foot/by cart.
4. Many bedeys have settled near the riverbanks/lakesides/seashore.
5. Bedeys are an integral part of our history and literature/culture/tradition.

D. Imagine there is a boat-school in your area to teach river gypsy children. Write a short composition about how you can help the gypsy children with learning.