We recently received this update from Barbara Mayo, our contact at Amarok in Bangladesh.
I hope that there are many signs of spring in Edmonton- we have many here except reliable warm weather. It is a pleasure to send Nasima’s letter on to you. She has been going to school long enough to really see its benefits in her life. She sees how her attitudes, and her ability to solve problems, to think have changed in addition to her academic skills. Perhaps one of the most satisfying thing for her is to see the progress of the children who attended micro schools. Two of her students are now attending formal schools and they are also teaching other children. Nasima and her classmates are planning to celebrate them!
Another graduate of a Micro School has completed College and is attending Nursing School. She was home recently and was able to really help a neighbour because she had the skills and as well the inclination to help - both of these are a wonderful side benefit of education at an Amarok School.
Muslima Helping a Neighbour
Muslima with an elderly woman
Nasima with her daughter
We truly thank you for supporting Nasima and for all you do for Amarok: Start With Mothers,
Also received from Nasima Khatun, a Volunteer with Amarok in Khulna, Bangladesh.
I know I am not perfect. I make mistakes and sometimes I do things wrong. But I have realized that we should never do wrong intentionally. Words matter, physical wounds heal, but hurtful words take much longer to repair. When people keep making the same mistakes, it means they have not learned. It is important to recognize our mistakes so we can build kindness, friendship, and a sense of unity—especially for the children in our community. When we set a good example, children will follow and learn positive values.
I have some good news to share. This year, two of my students, Mim and Rohan, have graduated from my micro-school and are now in grade 6 at a high school. Both of them are already teaching their younger siblings and Mim is even helping two of her neighbor’s children. This way, we are nurturing young teachers for the next generation. In total, 38 children have graduated from 25 micro-schools run by mothers in our community. Alongside their own studies, these children are now teaching their younger siblings, neighbors and even some adults. Some teach for an hour each day, while others teach five days a week. In our slum, we proudly call them Child-Teachers. We plan to organize a community gathering for these graduating children, where their parents, grandparents and local leaders will be present. Our goal is to introduce them as young volunteers. Through this, they will develop leadership skills for the future.
Since studying at the mother-school, my thinking has grown in ways I never expected. I now understand that a mother is both a child’s best friend and first teacher. Every day, I play with my little daughter and some of my neighbor’s children. Today, I want to share the story of Muslima, a graduate of Amarok’s Micro-School. She completed college last year and is now studying for a nursing diploma. She is doing well in her course. Last week, she visited her community and found her neighbor, Khadija Begum, crying sitting beside another woman. She asked, “Why are you crying? Is something wrong?” Khadija replied, “My shoulders hurt a lot, but I don’t know what to do. I have no money to see a doctor. My son is a rickshaw puller and he will decide what to do when he comes home.”
Hearing this, Muslima reassured her, “Don’t worry. I have some basic knowledge about this.” She quickly went to her room, brought her BP and diabetic checking machines and tested Khadija. “Your blood pressure is very high—140/100,” Muslima told her. “You need to see a
doctor immediately. They can give you free medicine as a senior citizen and if it’s serious, they will refer you to another hospital.” She then took Khadija to a nearby health clinic and requested urgent treatment.
This story inspires me. A girl who once had little opportunity for education is now not only studying nursing but already making a difference as a volunteer. Isn’t that amazing? We dream of developing many more Muslimas in our community—young men and women who will step forward and create a better future for all of us.
Thank you for supporting my learning and growth as a volunteer.