An unbelieveable day...

March 21st, 2010
Our first stop of the day was a visit to the Governmental Children Home for Girls in Suknaghar, Gainbandha. There are about 100 girls between the ages of 5 and 18 years old who are orphaned or have only one parent who is unable to take care of them. They are adorable, all with short hair, clean uniforms and big smiles. The Deputy Superintendent, Jahangir Arif lives on the grounds. The staff is very warm and welcoming. Mr Arif explained how children participate in the cooking, housekeeping, musical activities and education. You get a sense that this is a family.



The girls were a wonderful audience. They seemed eager to hear about our dream to connect them with the students in America and how the Caring Coin is a reminder of that connection. Each girl smiled broadly as we placed the Caring Coins around their necks and shook their hands. Betsy, Chris and I were brought to tears when they all sang "We Shall Overcome" in both English and Bangla. It was incredibly moving to look into the faces of these little girls as they sang this song so powerfully. Two of the students then danced traditional Bangla dances, one being the Dance for the Freedom Fighter who fought for the independence of Bangladesh. Rubel asked me to tell the girls that we would return tomorrow with ice cream and candy which made them very happy. It made us very happy too, as we would see them again.

Our next stop was the Society for the Welfare of the Intellectually Disabled, a school for children with multiple special needs including children with autism, Downs Syndrome and multiple disabilities. There were about 60 children separated by their age into different classes. The younger children were drawing pictures which they gave to us. The older children were making paper bags which they sell to raise money for the needs of the school. All of the children were happy to receive the Caring Coins and our smiles and to shake our hands.
Once again, we were entertained by the children accompanied by drums and an interesting instrument which is a bit like an accordion in a box. The children also danced for us. One of the boys was especially talented and thrilled to show us his skills. Once again, we heard their national song followed by "We Shall Overcome" Once again, Betsy, Chris and I were deeply touched. The staff was eager to tell us about their program. The Principal wrote a description of the program for us in Balgla which will have to have translated by one of our crew. As we left, the children came around us all wanting to shake our hands as we said goodbye. We all couldn't help but feel for all that we have. Betsy and I felt especially grateful for having healthy children and grandchildren.

Lunch was at the home of one of Hadi's brothers. Hadi's is Rubel's Project Planner and second in command. He coordinated each of our events. Hadi grew up in this town and has a very large extended family living here. We were treated to a very delicious Bangla lunch prepared by Hadi's sister-in-law who also happens to be a Biology Professor at the University. Betsy, Chris and I are thoroughly enjoying the Bangla food and are amazed at how proficient we've become eating with our right hand.

Oh, I forgot to mention that we were escorted to each of our visits today by twelve motorcycles, each with one or two riders. They are all friends of Rubel's who wanted us to know how much they appreciated our visit. We felt like celebrities.


The AMM High School in Giabandha was our next stop. A crowd had already gathered in the open courtyard of the school where there was a huge tent made of welcome banners. We were first introduced to the students in each classroom where Betsy, Chris and I each shared why we had come to Bangladesh. By this time, we were down to the very last 60 of the 1300 Caring Coins we had brought. I promised the students that we would send each of them a Caring Coinwhen we returned to Vermont. This means of course that we will have to have more cards signed by students at home. Our very last Caring Coins were for the boys at an orphanage which was to be our next stop.

This AMM School Event turned into an extravaganza. There were close to 1000 people in the audience, sitting, standing wherever there was room. This included students and people from the town. Two of the Freedom Fighters there made it a point to tell us that they had come just to see us. This was indeed a cultural happening thanks to Rubel, Hadis and the entire Design Bangladesh staff. Before we spoke, Betsy, Chris and I were presented with beautiful lais made of marigolds and roses which by the way perfectly matched my outfit. Numerous dignitaries sat with us on the floor of the stage which was erected for this event. They each gave what appeared to be rousing speeches in Bangla. (Oh how we wish we understood the language!) Chris, Betsy and I once again shared the purpose of our visit and how we hoped this would be the beginning of a connection between the students and people here and the students and people in America.

The real entertainment began with 4 girls in bright saris singing traditional Bangla songs, again accompanied by drums and that same accordion-like instrument. Next came an amazing group of 10 young men could be on "America's Got Talent". Their charismatic director MC'd the whole event. They performed an amazing synchronized Bangla dance. It was really great. One of the boys from the School for Children with Special Needs who had entertained us there came up on the stage and joined the group. He was terrific.

Our next surprise happened when the MC (who is a good friend of Rubel's)insisted that Chris come on stage as the audience chanted "Chris, Chris". Chris being the good sport that he is joined in and proceeded to follow each of the MC's very professional dance moves. He was absolutely mind boggling and brought the house down. What an Ambassador for the You Are Never Alone Foundation and for America Chris is! At the end of the "Happening" the audience yelled "Hello America" which Alam videotaped for us. We can'r wait to see this video and to share it with the students back home who have participated in You Are Never Alone Bangladesh. Many children and adults followed us saying "Hello, Hello" and wanting to shake our hands as our entourage escorted us to the van.

We weren't done yet...Following the motorcycles, we entered the Boys Orphanage. This was in a park like setting where the boys were anxiously awaiting our arrival as the previous event had run overtime. As we looked into the faces of these amazing little boys, we were so glad that we had saved our last Caring Coins for them. Once again, we shared our story and then placed a Caring Coinaround each neck and shook each hand. Once again, the coins brought a smile to each face. We told the boys that we would be back tomorrow with ice cream and candy from Design Bangladesh. As with the girls, we were so glad that we would see them again.

Dinner was at the home of another one of Hadi's brothers where his sister-in-law prepared dinner for us. We were so thrilled to be able to visit with her and also with Hadi's 3 nieces. They are beautiful, bright young women who were so anxious to hear about the students in America. They had questions about our culture, food, school and what our kids do for fun. These are the same questions our students had about them. Our Bangla dinner we delicious. How these women do it, I don't know. We would love to have the recipes but they cook intuitively. And,we wouldn't be able to translate anyway..

Tired but with a feeling I can't quite put into words Betsy, Chris and I got back into the van to go to the hotel. The rest of the guys remained to have their dinner. I think I mentioned before that it is the custom in Bangladesh for the guests to be fed first, followed by the men of the house and then the women who prepared the meal.

More tomorrow...
Salley, Betsy and Chris