Chocolates and ice cream...

Gana Unnayan Kendra, a local NGO was our home for our last night in the district of Gaibandha. This NGO is involved in many social issues including: the environment, poverty reduction, human rights and promoting accountable governance. We were able to speak with two of the women involved with the NGO who gave us information about their work. They were also very interested in what we are doing. Perhaps we shall connect in the future.

After breakfast in the village, where I had the most delicious cup of coffee, Rubel and his crew cleaned out all of the premium ice cream and chocolates in town to bring to the orphan children as he had promised the day before. Rubel and Design Bangladesh give food to the children in the park, at the slum school, the orphanages and at the Disabled School on a regular basis as just one of the many things they do for the people of Bangladesh.

As we entered the gates of the boys orphanage, swarms of excited little boys ran to our van,saying "Hello and Welcome". Many were wearing their Caring Coins. The Superintendent ushered us all upstairs for the handing over ceremony. We placed the ice cream and the chocolates on the table and I told the boys "Tumi kokohono eke nao" which means "You are never alone". I'm sorry to say my pronunciation is nowhere near Betsy and Chris' pronunciation but I do try. Betsy is really good and Chris is unbelievable. He has picked up a fair amount of the language and also seems to understand a fair amount of what is being said. We are lucky that Rubel and his staff are able to understand and speak English. We left the orphanage with the sound of cheers with the little boys following us to the van again wanting to shake our hands. And with each handshake came a smile.

Next, for the girls, who also came pouring out of "their home", dressed in their uniforms, each wearing their Caring Coin , smiling and saying "Welcome". I wish you could see their smiling faces. I am going to try to post some pictures so you can see them for yourselves. After the presentation of the ice cream and the chocolates, I told the girls to keep their Caring Coins as reminders of our visit. Many of the girls gave us drawings that they had made for us the night before. We were deeply moved that several of the drawings included words like "Today I know I am not alone". This has reinforced our belief that our message really does make a difference. When it was time to go, the girls followed us to the van saying "Thank you" and shaking our hands. Their smiles will remain in our hearts forever. It's a wonder that Betsy and I are not taking some of these children home with us.

One more stop before returning to Dhaka. Rubel wanted us to see the earliest historical site in Bangladesh which goes back to at least 3rd century BC. It is called Mahasthan, the archaeological excavations at Mahasthangarb, the ruins of ancient Pundranagar. It is set in a beautiful park with flowers and greenery. A museum houses the artifacts that have been uncovered such a statues of Buddish and Hindu gods, coins, terracotta plaques, stone objects and pottery. Hoards of other people were waiting with us in the heat until the gates opened. (I don't think I have mentioned how hot it was...) Many wanted to shake our hand and have their picture taken with us. Some were taking pictures with their mobile phones. Mehedi told us they would print these pictures, frame them and hang them on their walls at home. We are such celebrities!

It was now time to start back to Dhaka. Back into the van we went for the 9 hour ride. At one of our many stops for gas, a young disabled man with a beautiful smile came up to my window and asked gently for some money. When I gave him something, he gave me the most beautiful smile and then said a prayer for me. I was so touched. We had read that there would be many people asking for money. We were surprised that this did not happen often, partially because we were with our entourage and partially because it is not as part of life in Bangladesh as it may be in other places.

About the ride back to Dhaka...I guess all that we can say is that we are so grateful that we had a fantastic driver. As Rubel said, "Thank Ala that we got back safely". He hadn't mentioned anything like that before we started.

Exhausted but exhilarated, we finally crawled into bed at our hotel room in Dhaka. Tomorrow we would meet with Rubel and his staff in the office of Design Bangladesh for a wrap-up meeting. And perhaps, some shopping...

Then, for our 30 hour journey back to Vermont...
Salley, Betsy and Chris