Sharna Bremner Outreach Blogger 17 June 2010
Today was the last official day of our Project TOTO Bangladesh adventure.
Our final day working with the ActionAid Bangladesh crew was bittersweet, sharing our amazing blogging successes with each other, having an incredible buffet lunch with the entire Sponsorship team and saying goodbye.
Members of the DA14 CJG comment on the blogs from DA2.
We have achieved so much in the last two weeks and will be providing a post-trip wrap up on our return to Australia, but for now, there a few things that I would like to share that haven’t made it into my previous posts.
When most people think of a country that is predominantly Muslim, they think of oppression, especially for women. Whilst there are certainly aspects of life here that favour males over females, I haven’t witnessed any segregation of sexes.
The Bangladeshi Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, is a woman.
Some of the amazing women of Dhaka.
Despite one extremely minor groping incident that could’ve occurred in any country in the world where there are males, the men here have been nothing but polite, helpful and respectful towards me.
Where there are issues regarding gender, the women are taking charge. They’re forming Outreach Groups such as the one I mentioned in a previous post, and are working with the men in their communities.
The current government promotes education for all children and public schooling is free for girls until grade 10, in an effort to remedy gender imbalances.
That said sexual harassment or as they call it here ‘eve teasing’, continues to be a problem for many girls and women. It was one of the problems that the Community Journalist Group members told us they hope to fix through their blogs.
This problem isn’t just restricted to developing or Muslim countries such as Bangladesh though. It’s everywhere. And the Bangladeshi people are not only aware of the problem; they’re speaking out and trying to fix it. It’s no longer a silent issue here, as it continues to be in so many other countries.
From young slum dwellers, such as Puspo and Mina, who hopes to become a doctor and provide free medical services for the poor when she grows up, it seems that girl power is rife here in Bangladesh.
Mina is 11 years old & hopes to become a doctor one day.
For the Bangladeshi people we have spoken to, from small children to more senior members of communities, education is paramount.
While kids in Australia dread going to school, kids in Bangladesh crave an education. Over and over we heard stories from children who just want to learn. They know the value of even the most basic education and being able to study is what they seem to want most.
University students in Bangladesh aren’t considered bludgers, as they often are in Australia. They’re valued, respected members of the community who are working to better not only themselves but their country as well.
One of Dhaka's slums.
Even though the people we have met on our travels have very little, live in the most trying of circumstances and face challenges that we couldn’t even imagine, I’ve haven’t heard one complaint.
The children in Bangladesh don’t want a new iPod, a Wii or a new mobile phone. The girls don’t want the latest clothes, shoes or handbags. They want to play soccer. They want to go school. They want to help others, not just themselves.
Members of the DA14 Community Journalist Group.
Yes, it appears that the children of Dhaka’s slums have softened me. In a few short weeks, they’ve changed my opinion of kids.
And this is one time that I am more than happy to admit I was wrong.
Some of the crew from DA14.
