Concrete Blackboard: Noor Hossain's Journey to Education

Story and photos by Ro Abdur Rahaman

The stark grey of a cement floor—often just a sign of basic shelter—transforms under the earnest gaze of a child. For young Noor Hossain, this unassuming surface became his first blackboard, his notebook, his window to the world. Captured through the poignant lens of Rohingyatographer, Noor’s story is a testament to resilience, familial love, and the unquenchable human thirst for learning.

Born in August 2017, Noor entered the world amidst upheaval. Just months after his birth, his Rohingya family was forced to flee Myanmar, seeking refuge in Bangladesh. His early years were shaped not by playgrounds or classrooms, but by the daily realities of survival in a refugee camp—where access to education was rare, and resources even rarer.

Yet amid these challenges, one source of hope burned brightly: Noor’s grandfather. With a visionary belief in his grandson’s potential, he became Noor’s first teacher. Though school supplies like pens or notebooks were beyond reach, his grandfather had an ingenious idea—born not from privilege, but from necessity.

Their cement floor, poured for practicality and savings, would become Noor’s first classroom.

With a simple piece of chalk, Noor’s grandfather would write lessons on the floor. Noor, kneeling beside him with unwavering focus, would trace and practice. What began with the Burmese alphabet grew into the fundamentals of English, Math, Science, Life Skills, and Social Studies—all following the Myanmar curriculum. Chalk instead of ink. Concrete instead of paper. And yet, it worked.

This simple yet profound approach didn’t just overcome financial barriers—it created a deep, hands-on learning experience. As Ro Abdur Rahaman reflects, Noor’s “continuity in practicing and learning” transformed him into a passionate student. And within this daily ritual of chalk and cement, a new dream began to take root: Noor wanted to become a teacher himself—sharing the gift of learning that had shaped his life.

By late 2024, that dream had already begun to blossom. Noor enrolled in Grade 2 at the Community-Based Learning Center—ME Academy—where he now formally studies the same six subjects he first met on the cement floor. He supplements his education with Basic Islamic Studies at home. Remarkably, he still returns to the foundational technique his grandfather taught him—writing and solving problems on hard surfaces, a practice that continues to sharpen his focus and skills.

From the shadows of displacement to the light of knowledge, Noor’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. His story speaks to the genius born of necessity, the power of a grandparent’s faith, and a child’s limitless potential. As Ro Abdur Rahaman so powerfully concludes:

“Noor has proven the life-changing game—overcoming challenges will only work towards personal growth.”

Etched in chalk and lit by a boy’s determination, Noor’s journey reminds us: a classroom can exist anywhere—a floor, a shelter, a dream—as long as the heart is willing to learn.