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The Community

Minorities of Bangladesh

Bangladesh is home to more than 165 million people, yet over 6.5 million belong to minority and Dalit groups that remain socially and economically marginalized. These communities include Rishis, fishermen, weavers, blacksmiths, cobblers, barbers, potters, and others tied to caste-based occupations. Collectively, they make up about 4–5% of the population, but their representation in education, healthcare, and dignified jobs is disproportionately low.

According to studies, over 60% of Dalit households live below the poverty line, compared to a national average of 24%. Literacy rates within these groups are alarming — often 20–25% lower than the national average. Many children drop out of school by the age of 10 because their families cannot afford fees, uniforms, or even daily meals. Women and girls in Dalit families face double discrimination — for their caste and gender — leading to early marriage, unsafe work, and exclusion from decision-making. This ongoing cycle of poverty and stigma leaves communities voiceless and vulnerable, with little hope for upward mobility without targeted support.

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Poverty Line

Over 60% of Dalit households live below the poverty line

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Literacy Rates

Often 20–25% lower than the national average

About Gonali

Village of Gonali

The Yahweh Mission began its work in Gonali, a village in Tala Upazila of Satkhira district. Gonali is home to around 250 families, totaling nearly 1,500 people, most of whom belong to the Rishi community. Like many Dalit villages across Bangladesh, the people of Gonali survive on very limited means. More than 70% of households rely on daily wage labor, farming, or traditional trades such as fishing, barbering, and handicrafts. Average family income is less than Tk 5,000 ($45 USD) per month, which is barely enough to cover food and basic needs.

Most families live in simple mud or tin houses with inadequate sanitation. Access to clean water is a challenge, and medical facilities are often far away. Children are especially vulnerable: surveys show that in villages like Gonali, over 50% of children under 14 do not complete primary school, and many are forced into work to help their families survive. While most families here are Hindu, with a small number of Christians, all share the same struggles of poverty and exclusion. Gonali represents both the hardship faced by minority communities and the hope for change that The Yahweh Mission seeks to bring.

Who Are the Dalits?

 

The word Dalit means “deprived” — and for millions in Bangladesh, this definition reflects a painful reality. Dalits are not a single caste or tribe, but a broad group of people historically marginalized by both religious traditions and deep social and economic inequalities. Today, there are an estimated 3.5 million Dalits in Bangladesh, split broadly into two categories: Bengali Dalits and non-Bengali Dalits.

Despite their critical contributions to society — working as cobblers, fishermen, weavers, potters, blacksmiths, barbers, cleaners, and artisans — Dalit communities remain some of the most deprived, living under severe poverty and stigma. They are often forced into degrading work at the lowest wages, excluded from opportunities, and left with little access to education or healthcare.

Dalits of Bangaladesh

Dalit communities across Bangladesh number between 3.5 to 5.5 million people, scattered in rural villages and urban slums. They are often referred to by occupational names: cobblers (Mochis), barbers (Napit), sweepers (Harijans), fishermen (Jele), potters (Kumars), weavers (Tantis), and blacksmiths (Kamar). Despite their essential contributions, Dalits remain at the bottom of social hierarchies, facing stigma that limits their access to education, jobs, housing, and even basic human dignity.

Research indicates that over 80% of Dalit workers are trapped in low-paying, insecure jobs, often earning less than $2 a day. Landlessness is widespread, with fewer than 10% owning land. Housing conditions are dire — 65% live in temporary or unsafe shelters, and many are excluded from government support systems due to lack of recognition or documentation. In education, Dalit children often face bullying and discrimination, with dropout rates exceeding 60% by secondary school level. For girls, the risks are even higher, as they are vulnerable to early marriage, child labor, and gender-based violence.

 

How We Can Help

We Always Receive All Your Help

The Yahweh Mission is committed to addressing these inequalities with programs tailored to the needs of minorities and Dalits. Our plan begins with education — building and renovating schools, offering scholarships, and providing books, uniforms, and meals so that children can stay in classrooms instead of workplaces. Our goal is to raise literacy rates among children in communities like Gonali from the current 40–45% to 80% in the next decade.

Healthcare and nutrition are equally critical. We aim to organize medical camps, maternal health workshops, and nutrition drives so families can break free from the burden of preventable illness. With nearly 30% of Dalit children under five suffering from malnutrition, these interventions can save lives and build stronger futures. We also plan to introduce livelihood training — teaching skills in tailoring, modern farming, handicrafts, and small business management — to help families move beyond low-income daily wage labor.

Most importantly, The Yahweh Mission seeks to restore dignity and hope. By combining education, healthcare, spiritual growth, and economic empowerment, we believe we can break the cycle of poverty that has held Dalit and minority communities captive for generations. Starting from Gonali, our vision is to expand across Bangladesh, transforming villages, uplifting families, and creating a future where no child is left behind.

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