Salley's thoughts on Bangladesh...

As with Betsy and Chris, I too find it difficult to put into words what our trip to Bangladesh has meant to me. I have tried writing my thoughts over and over again but my words can’t fully express what I’m feeling…

From our arrival, we were warmly welcomed and very well taken care of by our friends Rubel of Design Bangladesh and his wonderful staff Hadi, Mehedi, Amine, Kader, Khan, Ryal, Mehedi (Apple). Their welcome extended to their wonderful families with Rubel's mother and sister and Hadi's two sisters-in-law inviting us into their homes with warm hospitality and delicious meals. We so enjoyed being with them and really felt as though we were family too.

We found the people of Bangladesh to be warm and welcoming including the people in the hotel, the people we met at the schools, the people in the streets, the parks. For many, we were the first Americans possibly even the first foreigners they had ever met.

Sometimes, people did look at us inquisitively, but when we smiled and said hello and told them our name they reached out, smiled, looked us straight in the eyes and told us their names. They then tapped their heart as a sign that we were in their heart. We tapped our heart in return. I can easily say that we each have shaken at least 2,000 hands in Bangladesh. In a sense, we were the faces of America for these people.

Rubel and his Design Bangladesh staff coordinated an amazing itinerary for us. Our activities included a press conference, visits to five schools, including a school for disabled students, a school in the slums, a visit to a park where homeless children lived; a girls’ orphanage; a boys’ orphanage; a movie and TV studio; a garment factory; visits to a historical village, museums, and a visit to Mahasthan, an Archaeological dig that dated back to at least 3rd century B.C. There was even a “football” game between our Design Bangladesh team and the local football team. The entire town came out for the game. And our own Chris made two goals to win the game.

Along with us each day at each of these events came our Caring Coins...the Caring Coins with the message "Tumi kokhomi eka nao" You are never alone . This message is a universal message that everyone understands...a message we all need to hear. This was very evident with the people of Bangladesh as they put the Caring Coins around their necks. More about the Caring Coins in my next blog.

So, what are my thoughts on Bangladesh? I am thinking that I am so grateful to God for having been given the opportunity to visit this wonderful country and meet these wonderful people who will remain forever in my heart. I am so grateful to my friend Rubel and his wonderful staff Hadi, Mehedi, Amine, Kader, Khan, Ryal, Mehedi (Apple), Aziz for giving of themselves to make this visit all that it was. Each one of you has a special place in my heart as well.

I shall especially remember the children...the homeless children in the park; the children in the slums; the children in the disabled school; the girls and the boys in the orphanages and all of the wonderful students we met at the schools we visited. I'll remember the joy in their eyes, their eagerness to learn more about us...their strong love of family and their country and how they wanted to have their pictures taken with us. I'll remember how they wore the Caring Coins around their necks and so much more...

Where do we go from here? We continue to share the Caring Coins with their message...You are never alone...