EDUCATION FOR STREET CHILDREN: A CASE STUDY OF CHETONA BIKASH KENDRA
Mohiuddin Ahmad Community Development Library (CDL)

INTRODUCTION
Background and context Community Development Library (CDL) has been working mainly in the fields of development information and communication since its inception in 1980. CDL was established with a mission to deliver development information to activists and organizations that are working in the broad areas of research, human development and right-based works. Among them are catalysts in different fields including academics, planners, development practitioners, cultural activists, political activists, human rights activists, peace activists, environmentalists, feminists, journalists, researchers, teachers, trade unionists and community leaders. The target audience is engaged in activities intending to change the quality of life of the people, particularly the disadvantaged groups of the society. Mission of CDL CDL believes that 'information' is the critical missing link between ignorance and enlightenment, between poverty and prosperity, between dehumanization and empowerment. The vulnerable people and the communities have little or no access to vital information, particularly information on availability of and access to resources. CDL feels that a wellplanned effort encompassing collection, processing and dissemination of information would help in attaining the required level of awareness in the society and, in turn, would accelerate the process of empowerment of the people by reducing knowledge gap. Knowledge based activities There are, however, debates on the relevance and efficacy of knowledge based activities and services. Is it tantamount to social work or somewhat different

from it? The overwhelming majority of the NGOs in Bangladesh are involved in social mobilization and rural development activities mostly providing