Finding Tomorrow

O

“ Fi ndi ngTomor r ow”

Fr om Homel es sToHer oi s m

Undert hebl i nk i ngl i g ht sofamons t r ousc i t y ,t heyc a met ome.S hel ook ed14,pus hi ngawor ndownwheel c ha i r c a r r y i ngherbr ot her ,a g eda r ound10.T a er dema l i oni nay el l owf r oc k ,s hes t oppedont hedr i v ewa ya ndl ook ed i mpl or i ng l ya tme. Thebr ot herr a i s edhi sey esa ndmumbl ed, “ Apa , dui t at a k abhi k k aden! ”( t r a ns l a t e:“ Pl ea s eg i v e met wot a k a ! ” ) ma k ei tar ul et odi s c our a g ebegg i ng, es pec i a l l ywheni tc omest oc hi l dr en. Al mos tr eflex i v el y , I a s k edhi mwhet her I heg oest os c hool .Hi sex pr es s i ondr oppeda ndhet ookabe erl ooka tmyex t er i or .Thi swa sc ommonr ea con– s t r eetc hi l dr endon’ tex pec tg enui nequesonsf r om t hemor epr i v i l eg eds oc i a lc l a s s .Hi ss i s t er ,whos ea en on ha snow g r owni nt ens enoddedherhea d.Ic oul dnotc onc ea lmyj oy !I t ’ sbeenqui t eawhi l eImetat ok a iwho a endr eg ul a rs c hool .Iquer i eda boutt hei rwher ea bout s .S uddenl y ,t hebr ot hers t oppedmemi dwa ya nda s k ed, “ Wha ti sy ourna me? ” el tel ec t r oc ut ed.Hi squesonwa si nEng l i s ha ndmyf a c ebr ok ei nt oaj oy f ul s mi l e.Abov eme, t hes unk enKoz mo If l i g ht sa ndg l ier sofs hoppi ngma l l ss eemeds ul l en.Thet wi nk l eg l ea mi ngi nhi sey ess honel i k eami l l i onhea v ens ents t a r s . I namomentoft r ut ha st ha tdes c r i bedi nt hea f or emen onedi nc i dent , onec a nnothel pbutf eel op mi sc . Y ou’ r e s uddenl ys weptoffy ourf eetundert heepi pha nyofs oc i a l pr og r es s , howev ermi nut ei tma ys eem t ot hes uper fic i a l v i s i ona r y .Ov ert hepa s tt woy ea r s ,Iha v ec omea c r os sunc ount a bl ec hi l dr enwi t hhumong ouspot en a l ,a ndi t ’ s di ffic ul tf ormet obel i ev ewi t hs uc hg r ea tt a l ent s ,Ba ng l a des hi si nv oi d.Thei rdr ea ms ,a s pi r a onsa nds pi r i t sa r e a ppl a uda bl e,a ndIha v ebeenr ema r k a bl yf or t una t et omeett hem.Theyha v eopenedat hi r dey ei nmea ndt hey ha v ema demebel i ev et hes k i esa r en’ tt oof a ra wa y .Al loneneedst odoi sdr ea m bi genoug ht ot ouc ht hehi g h bl ues . ‘ F i ndi ngT omor r ow’i sac el ebr a onofy out hempower menta ndy oungher oes .1°I nia v epr oudl ypr es ent st oi t s r ea der sa ndent hus i a s t sapubl i c a ont ha ts a l ut est hos ei nnumer a bl ec hi l dr enwho’ v es hownushow t os mi l e t hr oug ht het oug hes tba l esofl i f e.I tdoes n’ tt a k eas weepi ngr ev ol u ont oc ha ng es oc i et y ;i tc a ns t a r tv er ys ma l l a ndv i r t ua l l ya ny wher ewi t has pec kofl a ug ht er .I tc a nbeg i na tadi l a pi da t ed, ns heds c hoola tt hec or nerofa r eek i ngs l um a ndendupana ona l a wa r dc er emonyhonour i ngy ounga c hi ev er s . Adr ea mi sa l l i tt a k est oc ha ng et hewor l d.

S a bha na zRa s hi dDi y a E di t or

S t eppi ngOut s i det heBox 2 Ans haZaman

Whenaf r i endi nv i t edmet ov i s i tS EI D-a nor g a ni z a ondev ot edt ot heeduc a onofa u scc hi l dr en, I wentwi t hout t hes l i g ht es thi ntofwha ta us mi sa l l a bout . Thec hi l dr ent her ewer en' ts c r ea mi ng ,orr unni nga r oundwi l dl y ,l i k eIha de x pec t ed.Theywer es i l ent ,ea c hc hi l d l os ti nhi sorherownwor l d,doi nghi sorherownc hor e.S omewer er ea di ng ,s omewer ewr ing .Wewer eg i v ena g l i mps ei nt ot hea cv iesoft hes ec hi l dr en.Ma nyoft hem c a ns i nga ndda nc ebea uf ul l y .Ma nyc a npa i nta nd dr a w. EI D,t heyl ea r nt oi nt er a c twi t honea not hera nds uppor tea c hot her ;a ndt heyha v ef or medaf a mi l yoft hei r AtS own.I fy ouwa l kupt ot hem a nds a yhel l o,t heywi l lg r eety ouwi t has mi l ey ouwi l lnev erbea bl et of or g et .Thei r s mi l esr a di a t et hei nnoc enc ea nds i mpl i c i t yofanewbor n.Theya r ef a ra wa yf r om t heha r s hc ompl e x iesoft he wor l d. Y es ,t heya r edi ffer ent–di ffer enti nav er ys pec i a l wa y .Theya r enotwa r yoft her ea l iesofl i f e.Theyt a k e met o g r a s ps i mpl el og i c .Theyl a gbehi ndc hi l dr enoft hei ra g ei ng ener a ls ubj ec t st a ug hti ns c hool .Howev er ,t heys how ak eeni nt er es ti nmus i c ,pa i n nga ndma nyoft hem ha v ei mmens epot en a l t oe x c el i nt hes efiel ds . I ns pi t eofa l lt hepa i nt heyg ot hr oug h,a dv er s iest heyf a c e,t heya r esl lt r y i ngha r dt ol ea dnor ma ll i v es .Wi t h pr operc a r ea nda en on, t heyc a nbec omea na cv epa r toft hes oc i et y . I a m note x a g g er a ng . S omeoft heg r ea t es tna mesi nhi s t or y–S i rWi ns t onChur c hi l l ,Al ber tEi ns t ei nha v ef oug hta g a i ns tdy s l e x i a .S t ephenHa wk i ngha s beens uffer i ngf r om mot orneur ondi s ea s ea ndy etha sa c hi ev eds omuc hi nl i f ea ndg i v enba c ks omuc hmor et o t hi swor l d.Thes ec hi l dr enc oul dbet heonest odef ya us m.

Her eComest heS un 3 Al akaHal der

S hes i t supont hes i dewa l k ,t a er dema l i oni nt ha ts a mebl a c kf r oc k .Ic a n' tt el l howol ds hei s ;s hemi g htbe a r ounds ev en,a na g ewhenIwa ss el f a bs or bed,onl yj us tbeg i nni ngt odev el opt hea r tofdi s c ont ent ment . Wa n ngmor eofpe yt hi ng sl i k ec r a y onsa ndc ol adefinede x i s t enc ef orme.Butt hi sg i r l ,l i v i ngs ohumbl y , i sa l wa y ss mi l i ng .S omeda y si t ' sa100wa s mi l e,s omeda y si t ' sac ont ent ,upc ur v edl i ne.Buti t ' sa l wa y s t her e.Theys a yt ha ti g nor a nc ei sbl i s s ,a ndy etIwon' ts a yt ha ts hema na g est or ema i nha ppyj us tbec a us e s he' snev erhea r doft heg oodt hi ng sma nyofust a k ef org r a nt ed. Y ous ee, s hewa sr a i s edont her oa dsbes i de t hehi g hr i s ebui l di ng s ,e x pens i v ec a r sa ndfla s hybi l l boa r dsofDha k ac i t y , t her a uc ousmet r opol i sofDi s c ont ent menta ndApa t hy .Andy ets hek eepss mi l i ng . Al l I k nowi st ha twhens hes mi l es , herg ol denwa r mt hs eepsi nt omea ndr i ns esa wa ymype ywor r i es . When I ' m hur t ,hers mi l es oot hes ,ev eni fi tc a nnothea l .Thoug hs he' sas t r a ng erwhoha spr oba bl ynev erno c ed mywa t c hi ngher ,Ia ppr ec i a t eherpr es enc e.Ia ppr ec i a t eourf urv el il e‘ c onnecon’ . It r yha r dt ol ooka therwi t houtc ons i der i ngherr a g s ,hers qua l or ,herpov er t y .It r yt os eet hec hi l dt ha ts he i s , mol di ngc l a ydol l sf r omt hemudwi t hherf r i ends , l a ug hi nga nda r g ui ngov erwhog et st opl a ywi t ht hebi g g es ts c r a pofdi s c a r dedpol y s t y r ene.It r yt ol ooka thera saper s onwhowa nt st ol i v ea ndbel ov ed,a ndnot wi t hpi t y . Andy et ,Ic a n' t .S hei s n' tj us ta not hers ev eny ea r ol d.S hepr oba bl ydoes n' tha v ear oofov erherhea d.S he pr oba bl ydoes n' tg ot os c hool -s omet hi ngt ha ts houl dbeherbi r t hr i g ht .S hepr oba bl ywon' tha v emuc hofa f ut ur e,ev eni fs hei nna t el yha dev er ypot en a l .Andper ha psoneda y ,whent hehopel es s nes sa ndc r ueles ofherdea dendl i f ebea therbl a c ka ndbl ue, s he' l l l os eherbea uf ul s mi l e. Thet houg htofi tma k esmyhea r t hea v y . ouk nowt hos ea i r y , mi l dl ys unnyda y swheny ouf eel l i g ht , a st houg hy ouc a nj us tg ooutt her ea ndt hewor l d Y i sa l l y our s ?Thes uns hi nesl i k et ha tf ormewhenI s eet hi sl il eg i r l . Thoug hI don' tk nowwhyI c a r eev ent hi s l il ef orher , I s omehowdon' tt hi nkt ha tI needar ea s ont o. S he' sj us ta not herc hi l dl i k ey oua ndI wer e. S he' s pa r toft hi sr a mbl i ngc i t y , pa r tofi t sunk nownf ut ur e, j us tl i k ey oua ndI a r e. Andev ens o, t her oa dofherl i f e i smor eobs c ur e.Iwor r yt ha ta ss hewa l k sa l ong ,s he' l l l os eherhea r t wa r mi ngs mi l e,herf a i t h,herhope. eell i k ea s k i ngf orherna me,a s k i nghows hei s .If eell i k et ha nk i ngherf orbei ngt her ef ora l lofus , O enIf s i nc ec er t a i nl yI ' m nott heonl yper s onwhof eel st hi swa ya mongt hehundr edswhot r a v er s et ha tr oa d.But t hena g a i n, I f eel a wk wa r d. Woul di tber i g htf orme, as t r a ng er , t ot a l kt oher ?Wha twoul dI s a y ?Woul ds he under s t a ndmys en ment ?S oIk eept hes et hi ng st omy s el fa ndwa l ka wa yl i k ea l wa y s . I ba r el yk nowherbutwheni tr a i ns , I wi s hI c oul dr ea s s ur eherl i k es her ea s s ur esme, noma erhowuni nt enona l hera cons .Iwi s hIc oul ds i ngt ohera nds a y : " L il eda r l i ng ,i t ' sbeenal ong ,c ol dl onel ywi nt er L il eda r l i ng ,i tf eel sl i k ey ea r ss i nc ei t ’ sbeenher e Her ec omest hes un Her ec omest hes un AndIs a y ,' i t ' sa l r i g ht ' " Iwi s hIc oul ds a yt ha ta ndr ea l l ymea ni t .

AHand,Pl eas e? 4 Ri s al atKhan

Ca s eS t udy1:Mount a i nsofBa nda r ba n Onat r eka l ongar emot et r a i l t oBog aL a k ei nBa nda r ba n,Ihea r doneoft hemos ti ns pi r i ngs t or i esev er . Myg ui de,Ra t a n,ay oungma nofa bout20,bel ong i ngt ot heBom t r i be,t ol dmea boutac ommuni t yof mo v a t edy oungpeopl e,uni t edi napr omi s et oma k el i f ebe erf ort hems el v esa ndf ort hei rf a mi l i es ,a c ommuni t yt ha tha st a k ena ni nst u ona l s ha pei nt hef or m oft heY oungBom As s oc i a on( YBA) . Theor g a ni z a oni sf undedmymea g erc ont r i bu onsoft hemember sea c hmont h.Howev er ,t her e bei ngc l os et oat hous a ndmember si fmemor ys er v es ,t heyha v es uffic i entf undst owor kwi t h.Thea s s oc i a onhol dsmee ng st odi s c us st heneedsofdi ffer entv i l l a g ess t r ewna c r os st hemount a i nr a ng es a nddec i deonpr oj ec t sl i k ebui l di ngas c hool orpr ov i di ngel ec t r i c i t yt oav i l l a g e. WhenIr ea c hedBog aL a k e,Iwa ss ur pr i s edt ofindt hev i l l a g ewa smoder n.Tha nk st ot heYBA,i tha d el ec t r i c i t yg ener a t edt hr oug hs ol a rpa nel ss etupont her oof sofhous es !Cour t es yoft hem,Iha dt he memor a bl ee x per i enc eofwa t c hi ngt heWor l dCupF oot ba l l F i na l ma t c hbet weenI t a l ya ndF r a nc ei n Bog aL a k e,wi t ht hewhol ev i l l a g epa c k edi ns i deas ma l l r oom! Ca s eS t udy2:Cha ra r ea si nGa i ba ndha Thec ommuni t yi nc ha ra r ea si smobi l ebec a us et hemi g ht yJ a munama ydev ourt hei rhomeswi t hi na mont h,f or c i ngt hem t or el oc a t e.Af ewy ea r sba c k ,c hi l dr enoft hes ea r ea sha dnos c opeofeduc a on. Thei rl i v esc ons i s t edofg r a z i ngc al e,doi nghous ehol dc hor es ,a ndhel pi ngt hei rf a t her si nt hefiel d. Butwhena nNGOc a l l edF r i ends hi pr ea c hedoutt ot hes ec ha ra r ea s ,wes a whowmuc hc a na c t ua l l y c ha ng ei fc hi l dr ena r eg i v ent her i g h ul oppor t unies . TheNGOha ses t a bl i s hedmobi l ehea l t hc a r ec ent er si nl a r g eboa t s ,a nds t r uc t ur a l l y s t r ongs c hool st ha tc a nbedi s a s s embl edea s i l y( s ot ha tc ha r sbr ea k i ngdownc a nnotc a us ea nyl os s es ) .Theyha v ebeena bl et omi r a c ul ous l yc ha ng et hemi nds etoft he whol ec ommuni t ya ndt hef ut ur eofi t speopl e.Al l t hec hi l dr enoft henei g hbour i nga r ea snowg ot o s c hool .Thea dul t snowunder s t a ndt hei mpor t a nc eofeduc a ngc hi l dr en.Womenf r om t hes ea r ea s ha v euni t eda ndt a k enupa ni nia v et oens ur et ha tc hi l dr ena ends c hool r eg ul a r l y !Pr operhea l t h educ a onha sdr a sc a l l yc utba c konmor t a l i t yr a t esa nddea t hsduet oc ommondi s ea s e.I nt woy ea r s , t hepi c t ur eha sc ompl et el yc ha ng ed. F r i ends hi pha sma na g edt ounl oc ka na mpl ea mountofpot en a l beg g i ngt obedi s c ov er edi nt hec hi l dr enoft hec ha ra r ea s .Anewwi ndowha v i ngopenedf ort hem,t heys t udywi l l i ng l y ,wr i t ees s a y sus i ng t hei runboundi ma g i na on,a nddr a wpi c t ur est og owi t ht hem.Theyunder s t a ndt hec onc er nsof g l oba l wa r mi ng ,a ndt ha tdev el opi ngc ount r i esl i k eBa ng l a des ha r ebei nga ffec t edbyt heg r eenhous e g a semi s s i onsbydev el opedna ons .Theyha v el ea r ntt oma k eus eofF r i ends hi p’ sa dv a nc edc ur r i c ul um t ot hef ul l es t ;a ndt heyha v ea l r ea dyc ha ng edt hei rf ut ur esbec a us et heyha v el ea r nedt ha tl i f ei snot onl ya bouts t a y i ngwi t hi nt heper i met er sofwha tt heey ess ee. Thea bov es t or i esi l l us t r a t et her es er v oi rofpot en a l hi ddeni nBa ng l a des h’ sy out h,t hef ut ur eg ener a on.I ft heyc a nc omet og et her ,t heyc a ns ur el yma k et hec ount r ys t a ndup;butc ount l es spot en a l na onbui l der sa r et r a ppedundert hes ha c k l esofpov er t y ,i l l i t er a c ya nddest u on.Al l weneedt odo i se x t endourha nd,s ot heyc a nc l i mbupa ndl ookbey ondi nfini t y .E qui ppedwi t ht hek nowl edg ea nd e x per i enc et ot a c k l eha r ds hi pa ndmi s f or t une,t heyc a na ndwi l l pr ov et hems el v es ;a ndma k ewa yf ora br i g ht ert omor r ow.

Her oes&Hope

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Al lphot oshavebeens hot byS abhanazRas hi dDi ya

Ac t i vi t i es 7

2006

Thefir s t1dipr oj ec ti nOc t ober2006beg a nwi t hav ol unt eer i ngs er v i c ea tAu s m Wel f a r eF ounda on. Member ss pentat ot a l ofs ev er a l hour sev er yweekf oramont h, pl a y i ngwi t ht hec hi l dr ena ndhel pi ngt he t ea c her s .Asa nor g a ni z a ont ha tha sj us tbeg un,t hi spr oj ec twa si mpor t a ntf ort hee x pos ur eofmember s t odi ffer entk i ndsofr ea l ies .Theg r oupsl lr ema i nsi nt ouc hwi t ht hes c hoola nda r ehel pl es s l yi nl ov e wi t ht hec hi l dr en. 1di ' sfir s tofs ev er a l s l um v i s i t swa st oARBAN( As s oc i a onf ort heRea l i z a onofBa s i cNeeds ) , al oc a l NGO t ha tpr ov i despr i ma r yeduc a ont os l umc hi l dr ena ndv oc a ona l t r a i ni ngt ot heunder pr i v i l eg edi nNov ember2006.L oc a t edi nBa oni y a ba ds l ums ,t het ea mv i s i t edt hef ours c hool sa ndt a l k edwi t ht hec hi l dr en.I t wa sg r ea tt ofindoutt ha tt heyk i dsl ov edc omi ngt os c hool ,wer en’ tt oos hyt or es pondt oourquesons ors i ng/ da nc ef orus .Wewer et hr i l l edt ok nowa boutt hei ra mbions-doc t or s ,eng i neer s ,t ea c her s ,one s c i en s t ,t hr eepi l ot s ,abusdr i v er ,apol i c eoffic er ,ev enaRABoffic er ! I nDec ember2006,t heg r oupt ookupt hei nia v eofc ol l ecngwa r mc l ot hesf orr ur a l a r ea soft hec ount r y ,mos ta ffec t edbyt hec ol ds t r ok e.Member sc ol l ec t edc l ot hesf r om t hei rhomes ,f r i endsa nde x t ended f a mi l i esa nde x t ens i v es ornga ndpa c k i ng( wi tt hehel pofv er yf r i endl ynei g hbour s )wer ec a r r i edoutf or da y s .I nt heend,wec ount edat ot a l ofa ppr ox i ma t el y650c l ot hes ,pl us29pa i r sofol ds hoes !Thec a r t ons wer eha ndedov ert oa nNGOc a l l edChhi nna muk ul ,ar el i a bl eNGOt ha tdi s t r i but edourc ol l econt oKur i g r a m.

Ac t i vi t i es 8

2007

I nc ol l a bor a onwi t ht heMa s t er mi ndCommuni t yS er v i c eCl ub( MMCS C) , 1di c onduc t edt heAdul tL i t er a c y Pr og r a mi nF ebr ua r y Ma r c h2007.Thea i m wa st opr ov i deba s i ceduc a ont ot hehel pi ngs t a ffofMa s t er mi nd.1dimember swhower ea l s opa r tofMMCS Cwor k edf ort hi spr oj ec t .Thet ea mt a ug htt hemeni a l s t a ffoft heMa s t er mi ndPGNur s er yS econBa s i cAr i t hme c ,Communi c av eEng l i s h,a nds omeHi s t or y a ndGeog r a phy .Wewer el uc k yt og etav er ye x c i t ed,c ur i ousa ndwonder f ulba t c hofs t udent s ;whos uppor t edourc a us et hr oug houtt hec our s e.I twa sa na ma z i nge x per i enc ea ndwebel i ev ewel ea r nta smuc h f r om t hem a swet a ug htt hem!Thebes tpa r ti st ha tt heysl l r ememberus , a ndc omer us hi ngt ouswi t ha bi gg r i nont hei rf a c esf ol l owedbyag ent l e“ GoodA er noon! ”whenev ert heymeetusi nt hes t r eet s .1di i spr oudt oa nnounc et ha tt hepr oj ec twa ss os uc c es s f ult ha tMMCS Cha sc a r r i edi tonas ec ond me, t ea c hi ngt hes t a ffoft heK GI&I Is econa ndwehopet heywi l l c on nuei tf ur t heri nt ot hef ut ur e. Thepa r a l y z eda ndpa r a pl eg i cpa ent sf r omCRP( Cent r ef ort heReha bi l i t a onoft hePa r a l y z ed)a r et r a i ned t odr a wus i ngt hei rmout hsa ndt heyc omeupwi t hs omea ma z i nga r t wor k .CRPpr i nt sg r ee ngc a r dsout oft hei rpa i n ng sa nds el l st hem t ov i s i t or sf orbenefitoft heor g a ni z a ona ndi t spa ent s .1di ,i na na t t emptt oc ont r i but ea nda ppl a udt hei reffor t sboug htat ot a l of150c a r dsf r om CRP .Thes ec a r dswer edi s t r i but eda monga l l member st obes ol dt of r i ends / f a mi l y / g ener a l publ i ca saf undr a i s i nga cv i t y . ort hefir s t me,1diwor k edwi t hAc i dVi ol enc ei nS ept ember2007.S omeofourmember sv i s i t edAc i d F S ur v i v or sF ounda on( AS F )i nBa na ni ;a ndwer eg r a c i ous l yg i v enat ouroft hepr emi s esbyDrRebec c a Mi l t on, Di r ec t orort heMedi c a l Uni t . S hea l s oe x pl a i nedt hef unconi ngofAS Fa ndt ol duss t or i esofs ome oft hei rc l i ent s .Wewer ea l s opr ov i dedwi t hs ev er a l l ea flet sa ndpos t er sr eg a r di ngpr ev en onofAc i dVi ol enc e. Wehea rl yt ha nkDrRebec c af orhel pi ngusl ea r nmor ea boutt hi ss er i ousi s s uet ha ta ffli c t sBa ng l a des h. F ol l owi ngt hi s , wec a r r i edoutaf ewdomescdi s c us s i onst or a i s ea wa r enes sr eg a r di nga c i dv i ol enc e. Thea udi enc ec ompr i s edofdr i v er s , g ua r ds , domeschel psa ndot her swho’ r el es spr i v i l eg edt ha nwea r e. Thepr oj ec tr a i s edma nyquesonsa ndwee x pl a i nedpr ev en on, c a us es , effec t sa ndc ur esoft hepr obl em t ot hem. Dur i ngt he2007floodl a s ty ea r ,Dr i s h pa tCa na dac ol l ec t edr el i efmoneyf r om pl a c es .Oneoft hedonor s wa sabi tl a t e,s oDCdec i dedt os endust hemoneyf orpos t floodr eha bi l i t a on.Wi t ht hemoney ,wes et upat ubewel l f oradea fa nddumbma ni nS i r a j g a nj . I ti so ens eent ha tpur ea r s eni c f r eewa t eri sar a r i t y dur i ngpos t floodper i odsa nds e ngupt het ubewel lens ur edt hewhol enei g hbour hoodg ota c c es st o c l ea nwa t er . Ourc ol l a bor a onwi t hDr i s h pa tCa na dawa st a k ent ot hene x tl ev el whenS uma i y aS ha r meenv i s i t edBa ng l a des hi nDec ember2007. “ S wea t erf oraS mi l e”–a st hepr oj ec twa sc a l l ed–c ompr i s edofbuy i ngs wea t er sf ork i dsi nur ba ns l um s c hool s . Wev i s i t ed‘ Aa l okS hi s huS hi k k ha l oy ’ i nAg a r g a on, oneofourc l os es ta f fil i a onsa nddi s t r i but eda r ound150news wea t er st ot hec hi l dr en.

Ac t i vi t i es 9

2008

S omewher ei nt hes t r eet sofDha k at oda yi st hemos tbea uf ulr i c k s ha wi nt hewor l d!The‘ 1dIr i c k s ha w’ a sweha v ef ondl yna medi t ,c a met obewhena na c qua i nt a nc eofoneoft hes t udent sweha dt a ug ht dur i ngt hea dul tl i t er a c ypr oj ec tl os thi sr i c k s ha wt ot hi ev es .1dIdec i dedt or epl a c ehi sr i c k s ha w.Wedes i g neda ndpa i nt edt her i c k s ha wi nourc ol our s ;i na ddiont oembos s i ngt heba c kwi t hourl og oa ndbl og a ddr es s .Thes es t r ok esofor i g i na l i t ya r ee x a c t l ywha tma k et he1dIr i c k s ha ws os pec i a l .1DIwoul dl i k et o t ha nkNa z i mF a r ha nChoudhur yf r om Adc omm,whos pons or edt hec a us ea ndma dei tpos s i bl e. 1dI dec i dedt ot a k ei t sc ommi t mentt ok eept hes t r eet sofDha k ac l ea na nd dy , ora tl ea s tl ier f r ee, as t ep f ur t hert hi sF r i ends hi pDa y .F r om 10: 00a mt o4: 00pm,member st oi l edt opi c kupwi t hg l ov edha nds( t he ot herc l ea ni nga ppa r a t uswer ema i nl yf ors y mbol i cpur pos es )a ny t hi ngf r om c i g a r e eends ,c hewi ng g um wr a pper s ,pl a scba g s ,t or npi ec esofnews pa per s ,ev enadi s us edunpa i r eds a nda l a l l t hewa yf r om Ri fles S qua r et oDha nmondi Roa d32,onbot hs i desofS a t ma s j i dRoa d.Wes t oppedonl yf oras hor tl unc hbr ea k a nds omeofusc a ug htweek l ongc ol dsf r om t hei nc es s a ntdr i z z l e.Howev er ,wedonotpr et endt or ea l l y ha v ec l ea nedupDha nmondi bec a us ebyt hene x tda yi twa sba c kt oi t sor i g i na l s t a t e. Howev er , wedohope t ha twi t ht hi spr oj ec twec onv i nc eda tl ea s taf ewpeopl ewhoc a r edt ol i s t ent oust os t opl ier i ngi nor der t oma k et hec i t ys t r eet sal il ec l ea nera ndhea l t hi er . F r om t hev er ybeg i nni ng ,1dIha sbeent ouc hedbyc hi l dr enc ons i der a bl yl es spr i v i l eg edt ha nus ,y ets o muc hmor eea g ert os t udya ndl ea r n. T r y i ngt ohel pi nwha t ev erwa ypos s i bl e, 1dI i nia t edapr oj ec ti nmi d J ul y2008t oc ol l ec ta nddi s t r i but ea mongt hes ec hi l dr ent heea s i es tmedi um f ors pr ea di nga wa r enes sa nd i ns pi r i ngk nowl edg e–book s !Themember sg a t her eda nyk i ndofol dpa per ba c k s ,ha r dba c k s ,t e x t book s , ma g a z i nesa ndnews pa per sl y i ngunus eda r oundt hei rhous es , a ndur g edt hei rf r i endst odot hes a me. Thi s r es ul t edi nahug epi l eof1000book s !Thel oot swer es or t edi nt oonc ei v a bl ec a t eg or i esa c c or di ngt ot he educ a ona l l ev el soft hee x pec t edr ea der sa ndi nt oficona ndr ef er enc ebook s .News pa per swer es ol di n bul kt or a i s ef undsf orc ha r i t ya ndbuymor enew book s .I nAug us t2008,t hefir s tba t c hc ont a i ni ng350 book swer er ea dyt obedel i v er edt oEk ma r a ,ar eha bi l i t a onc ent r ef ors t r eetc hi l dr en.Thee x c i t ement oft hec hi l dr en’ sf a c esonr ec ei v i ngt hebook smov edt hemember senoug ht oens ur ef ur t herpr og r es swi t h t hepr oj ec t .Thi sfloa ngpr oj ec ti ssl lc ol l ecngbook s ,a ndpl a nst odel i v ert hem t o‘ Aa l okS hi s huS hi k k ha l oy ’a ndot herur ba ns l um s c hool si nDha k a . Dur i ngt hes ummer ,Ek ma r ac hi l dr enl ov i ng l ya ndde x t er ous l ypl a i t edr es pl endentf r i ends hi pba ndsa s pa r tofaf undr a i s i ngdr i v ef ort heor g a ni z a on. Pa c k a g edwi t ht hena mea nda g eofi t sy oungma k era tt he ba c k ,a l lt hef r i ends hi pba ndsa r ea nemo ona l l yc ha r g edembodi mentofs weet nes s .Ther eda ndg r een onesa r ef a v our edev enmor ef orpa t r i os m. 1dI s ol dt hes ef r i ends hi pba ndst oa l l a nds undr yonbeha l fof Ek ma r a .Onourl a s tv i s i tt oEk ma t r at hi sy ea r ,1dIha sha ndedov erat hr eefig ur ea mountt oEk ma r a .

1 °i ni t i at i ve “ Whe nIwasay oungman,Iwant e dt oc hanget hewor l d.If oundi twasdi ffic ul tt oc hanget hewor l d,s oIt r i e dt o c hangemyna on.Whe nIf oundIc oul dn' tc hanget hena on,Ibe gant of oc usonmyt own.Ic oul dn' tc hanget he t ownandasanol de rman,It r i e dt oc hangemyf ami l y .Now,asanol dman,Ir e al i z et heonl yt hi ngIc anc hangei s my s e l f ,ands udde nl yIr e al i z et hati fl ongagoIhadc hange dmy s e l f ,Ic oul dhav emadeani mpac tonmyf ami l y .My f ami l yandI c oul dhav emadeani mpac tonourt own. The i ri mpac tc oul dhav ec hange dt hena onandI c oul di nde e d hav ec hange dt hewor l d.“ 1°I nia v e( OneDeg r eeI nia v e)s t a r t edwi t hs uc hamo o.I fev er y bodya r oundusj us tc hos et oc ha ng et hewa y t heyl ooka tt hems el v esa ndt hes oc i et y ,i twoul dbet hebi g g es tc ha ng et hi swor l dc a na s kf or . Thej our neybeg a ni nAug us t2006wi t ht wof r i endswhower ec a s ua l l yc ha nga boutopeni ngay out hnet wor ki n Dha k a .Wha ts t a r t eda sa ni deaev ol v edi nt oadr ea ma ndev ent ua l l y ,a nor g a ni z a onof9peopl ewhoa l lf el tt he s a mewa ya boutt hei rc ount r y . kwa st oug h,a ndbei ng5f eet2i nc heswa s n’ tt heg r ea t es thel ponE a r t h.I twa sdi ffic ul tt oc onv i nc e Ge ngwor peopl et ot r us tt hem a ndt hei rmo o, butna g g i ngev ent ua l l ypa i doff. Thei nt er ns hi pa tAu s m Wel f a r eF ounda on wa sak i c ks t a r t ,a ndfina l l y ,1di ha ds omet hi ngoni t sr ec or dt os howpeopl e. v ent ua l l yt hebl oga ndt hea rc l ei nRi s i ngS t a r s( Apubl i c a onofTheDa i l yS t a r )wa sabr ea k t hr oug h.Thet ea m E s t a r t edv i s ings l um s c hool s ,t a l k edwi t hunder pr i v i l eg edc hi l dr ena ndt r i edfig ur i ngwha twa smi s s i ng .I t ’ smo v a on-t hei ns pi r a ont oa c hi ev es omet hi ngbi g g era ndbe ert ha nt hea v er a g e.F r om t henonwa r ds ,t ha tbec a me t hei rpr i ma r yg oa l–i nsl l i nghopea ndc our a g ei nev er y bodya r oundt hem,es pec i a l l ys ma l lc hi l dr enwhobegf or Tk . 2a ts t r eetc or ner sa ndy ounga dul t soft hei ra g e. Thedr ea m ha sc on nuedt odev el opov ert hepa s t2y ea r sa ndha ss t r uc t ur edi nt oar ea l i t y .Ar ea l i t yc ur r ent l y s ha r edby30ors omember s ,a l l undert hes a meba nnera ndmo oofc ha ng i ngt hei rc ommunies . Thej our neydoes n’ ts t opher e.I t ’ sdi ffic ul tt oma i nt a i ns t udi es ,pa r ent s ,f r i endsa ndc ommuni t ys er v i c ea l lonone pl a t e,buti t ’ snoti mpos s i bl e.S i mpl emo v a on,i mmens ewi l l powera nds ome mema na g ementc a na c t ua l l y c ha ng es omeoneel s e’ sl i f e.Al li tt a k esi sat houg htt ha tdoes n’ tr ema i ni ns i dey ourhea d,butt r a ns f or msi nt oa n a con.I fea c honeofuss t epsupt odot ha t ,s oc i a l r ef or ma onsa ndabe erBa ng l a des hi snol ong eraf a r f et c hed f a nt a s y .I t ’ sonl yac oupl eofbl oc k sa wa ya nd1°I nia v ehopesev er y one–s oonerorl a t er -r ea l i z est ha t .

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Cr edi t s EDITOR: S abhanazRas hi dDi ya ASSISTANTEDITOR: Tus hmi tM.Has an DESIGN AND GRAPHICS: Gol am Nahi yanKhan S hahr i arS hami m Emi l LLUS TRATI ONS : I Ehs anurRaz aRonny NEWSCORRESPONDENCE: Mayees haAz har Tus hmi tM.Has an