We were welcomed at the Badarganj Multilevel High School by the Principal, Rubel's uncle, his Administrative staff, the Religious teacher, and other teachers, all of whom were very proud of their students and the education the students are receiving. This is what they call a high school and college, comparable to our middle and senior high school. After graduating from here some students go on to university.
We were ushered onto the stage of the auditorium with a huge colorful banner hanging in the background with:You Are Never Alone Bangladesh
Share That You Care, Caring Coins
Youths for Nature.
The auditorium was jam packed. Although this was a vacation day the students and staff came just for this event. We couldn't help but wonder how many students and staff would come to an event on a vacation day at home. We distributed over 600 Caring Coins there. 
Rubel opened the event, describing his dream for a better Bangladesh, our mission for the You Are Never Alone Foundation and why he had asked us to come to Bangladesh. Other speakers included the District Supervisor, a close friend of the Prime Minister's (who said he would like to meet with us in Dhaka); the Principal, a famous newspaper reporter, the Religious Teacher and of course Betsy, Chris and I. 
Chris spoke about being a college student; the steps being taken by Green Mountain College to improve the environment and also about his dream of possibly creating a student exchange for a Bangladesh student at his college. 
Betsy spoke about the purpose of our visit to learn more about Bangladesh and it's people. She shared our hope to open a dialog that can lead to a better understanding of each other, an understanding that can lead to good will and world peace.
I told the story of the Caring Coins and how Rubel of Design Bangladesh had emailed me last May asking me to bring Caring Coins with their message You are never alone to Bangladesh. I then shared our dream to connect the students of the world starting with the students of America and the students of Bangladesh because they, our students of the world, are the hope for our future. Rubel showed the video we made of the elementary, middle and high school students in Manchester, Vermont, USA asking questions and saying "Hello Bangladesh" to the auditorium filled with students and faculty. The whole audience loved it and answered "Hello America" as a loud and enthusiastic response. We are thrilled that along the way, Alam, one of Rubel's Design Bangladesh staff who is a professional camerman has been our cameraman. He has been videoing our every move...We cannot wait to see these videos which Rubel has said he will send to us. It was such a gift to have Alam taping these wonderful moments for us. Thank you Alam...
Each student and staff member received a Caring Coin as a reminder of the connection that had now been made between them and the students in America. Once again, we very much felt the power of this little wooden coin. The students followed us to the vans and gave us a warm farewell as we left.
Rubel then brought us to his grandmother's house, where he was born. It is a beautiful little house with high ceilings made our of mud which keeps the house very cool in the warm weather and warm in the cooler weather. The walls were hand painted with a soft design which gives it a very welcoming feeling. It seemed like the whole town came to welcome us. We may have been the first foreigners to visit the town. We gave Caring Coins to the children and many of their parents and took lots and lots of pictures...Rubel's entire family came to welcome us. They have been so gracious to us.
Now for the "Event of the Week". Chris, our star football (soccer) player, Rubel and the entire Design Bangladesh crew joined with some other local football players to challenge the local team in their weekly match. The entire town turned out. I was asked to open the match and then Betsy and I presented a Caring Coin to each player on both teams. It was a fast and furious professional-like game. The Design Bangladesh team won 3-1 with Chris scoring 2 goals. Following the game the players surrounded and congratulated Chris. There were a few aches and pains on our team as it had been several years since some of them had played football. Of course, none of then wanted to admit that. 
Betsy and I totally enjoyed the event, sitting in the seats of honor surrounded by children and adults all wanting to shake our hands and have their pictures taken with us.
We were then once again invited to Rubel's mother's home for a wonderful typical Bangla dinner. How this lovely lady prepared such a delicious meal for 14 people, 11 of them hungry men after she attended the late football game is beyond us.
Tired but happy after another amazing day, we went to the hotel, where we noticed that there were no screens on the bathroom windows. Thank goodness we brought mosquito spray.
Salley, Betsy and Chris
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