A Pandora’s Box

By Shaina Hyder

Hi everyone! My name is Shaina Hyder, and I am a visiting English teacher at Nari Jibon this summer. I am working with the Spoken English 2 students, and I am really enjoying my time here. My students are already so eloquent and well spoken! We cover the basics, of course, such as interview skills, story telling, telling time, and giving descriptions and stating goals, but we also have discussions about the limitations that women face in Bangladeshi society and how to overcome them. The first couple days were certainly quite a challenge; though the students know English, adjusting to my accent (and me to theirs!) was a bigger barrier than I could have imagined. But we’re on our way now, with many gestures, a couple of pantomimes, and a lot of patience.

In the states, I am a Sociology major at Florida State University, and am most interested in gender and work. This summer, I hope to be studying the impact of industrialization and globalization on Bangladeshi women, and how the scope of women’s work has changed. More women are entering the Bangladeshi workforce than ever before. Most of the students in my classes are career minded women, while most of their mothers are housewives. I find this massive shift in a single generation to be very interesting.

I am having so much fun in Bangladesh this summer, and am so fortunate to have been given the opportunity to work with the Nari Jibon Project.

Some Pictures of my Teaching at Nari Jibon Project:

A tale of a woman

Translated by: Golam Rabbany Sujon
Written in Bengali: Rozy Alam

If we heard the word NARI (woman) we think a woman who is powerless, simple and soft hearted. I’ll write about a Nari who have huge dreams, hopes and love. Her name is Komola, got married at her childhood. Komola had huge dreams. She wanted to go to school, would learn study and she would be great. Getting more education she wanted to develop her life. But Komola could not implementation her dreams because Komola was a daughter of a poor family. Poverty was main fault of her life. Her parents had no ability to prosecute her study. Suddenly Komola got married and she had to leave all of her classmates and neighboring friends. Tears are falling from her dreamy eyes. Days, months and years go and thus she passed 20 years. If Komola would implement her dreams, probably she would be a doctor or an educated mother. But it is very sorrow news that now she is working as a hand-made cake seller in the road side. Not only this she also became a mother but illiterate, poor and industrious mother, not educated mother. Komola sells cake sitting a roadside whole day long in the capital city. Everyday she makes powder four kilogram rice and makes chitoy pitha and vapa pitha. She makes pitha and waits for customers. Komola maintains her family by selling these pithas. Komola’s family is consisted eight members with her four daughters, two sons and one husband. Her husband is unemployed. Komola suffers frustration with her small children. All-day long she thinks how she will collect house rent and food expenditure of family members. Komola looks aged but if she would not get early marriage and she would get chance to study, she does not look aged. Thus she is passing her daily life.

Every day while I return from Nari Jibon I see Komola and I feel sad. As I heard her life history from her own I was able to write and think about her but I know there are thousands of vulnerable women in our country like Komola whom I don’t know. If a woman can do something good than a man we became highly attracted but we don’t try to protest when we see a girl is given in marriage instead of study. But why? Do we can not help when they face problem or to implement their dreams? Are we such kind of unable? I don’t want to refuse everything, yet there are some people who help women and respect women. As an example “Nari Jibon” is an organization that works only for women’s good luck.

I want to thank every teacher and staff especially Dr. Kathryn B. Word who is the founder of Nari Jibon on behalf of every students of Nari Jibon regarding on International women day. If women in our country get scope that Nari Jibon provides they will be aware about their lives, aware about their rights, don’t bear violence staying at house, they will be defendant like me. Our women also have something to say, to know and to see and we’ll tell, see and know.

Road accident

Translated by: Golam Rabbany Sujon
Written in Bengali: Shela Ahmed

Everyone is known to road accident more or less. We can learn about road accident by the daily newspaper and television everyday. Every year thousands of people are losing their lives at an inauspicious time. Some of them are losing their father, mother, brother, sister, husband, wife, son or daughter. Many women are being widow. Many children are being orphan losing their parents and some of them are being disable and sufferings from many difficulties.

It is happening due to people careless, avoiding traffic signal, driving cars in competitively and being careless of drivers. On the other hand we can see that drivers drive cars taking intoxications and that’s why often happen like such merciless road accident. Due to their careless we are losing some brilliant people who might be great but road accident snatching their innocent and fresh lives. Where is the end of this…. How long people of our country will lose their lives? How long we’ll lose our lives at an inauspicious time due to being careless. Do we have nothing to do? Do we all the people can not do anything to prevent this? No, we can prevent this but we have to help our government. If government helps us we will be able to prevent road accident and able to make a nice environment.

An example—a boy was going to appear to his S.S.C. examination. While he was crossing the road a truck ran over him and he fell down on the street. No sooner people took him to the hospital but he had died before they reached to the hospital. S.S.C. exams admit card was in his pocket but that was blooded. He lost all of his dreams even his life. We can expect like this aforetime death. Life is more valuable than the time. So we have to give more priority of our lives than the time.

Signature of my teacher

Translated by: Golam Rabbany Sujon
Written in Bengali: Poli akter

Teacher of our country is the founder of our nation. We respect them like our parents. Because they help us to be establish in the society besides our parents. So, we greet (salam) them when we meet in the street or anywhere. After passing H.S.C. (class-12), I bought an admission form to get admission in honors level to a university. I got only two days to submit this admission application form. So, I was worried and busy to collect every necessary document according to the rules. So next day I went to the college to photocopy my mark-sheets and attach my photos. After entering to the college office room I saw everyone showing very busy. None of them was interested to talk with me. Our principal was not in the college but one of our Prof. Madam was in-charge. After waiting long time Madam came to the room and then I requested her to sign and I gave her my documents. She told me to wait two hours and then she would sign otherwise another sir would sign.
Then that sir was in the college but I knew that sir’s residence as he lived in near our area. Then I thought that it would be better to go to the sir’s house than waiting two hours in the college. So I started to go to sir’s residence. I was thinking and feeling hesitation as I did not go to his house ever. Then it was afternoon. Sir used to live fifth floor. After climbing up the stairs I found the doors of sir’s floor were open and I saw some students were waiting for sir. Sir teaches these students at his house to earn some extra money. Then sir was in another room. I was waiting for him. After a long time he came to the room to teach the students. I gave him salam and I told him that I need his sign to my document. I could not complete my words he became very angry on me and he started to scold me in front of all the students. He alone spoke his speeches but he did not want to hear what I wanted to say. All-most whole day I passed to take signature. Being very much shocked I returned from his house and I could not keep my tears while I was passing every stair. Yes, at last he signed on my every document.

Happy 1st Anniversary of Nari Jibon Blog Project

Card designed & written by Zannatul Ferdous Nargis

I am a blogger of Nari Jibon Blog. We can share our own thoughts through this Blog. We can also share our feelings, wishes, happiness, sorrows etc. We can show and let people know about our country, culture, people, their lives, their activities, problems etc through this blog.

I learned from this blog about different peoples’ thoughts, different places etc. I want to introduce my country with the others countries’ people. So, I think this blog is the best way to show our activities to all the people.


Today is the 1st Anniversary of Nari Jibon Blog Project, So I wish all the success of Nari Jibon Blog Project. And best wishes to all the Nari Jibon bloggers and readers.

On the way to death

Translated by: Kazi Rafiqul Islam
Written in Bengali: Laily Jahan Meghla

I am alone, I am helpless
Please stand by me
Days of my life are numbered.
Don’t leave me alone
I am on the verge of my end.
I will leave; no one will be with me
No one will come to see me
I will go, where no one will disturb me.
At the fag end of my life do not hurt me
Please come and stand by me.

Mosquito

Translated by: Kazi Rafiqul Islam
Written in Bengali: Ruma Akter

A tiny animal
Mosquito is its name
It disturbs so much
No one can sit in peace.
Whenever children get ready for studies
Mosquito comes up to sting them
Mosquito, the wicked makes the life hell
Sucking our blood
Mosquito feels happy.

Domestic life

Translated by: Kazi Rafiqul Islam
Written in Bengali: Hazera Khatun

A boy, a girl dream
Of a home of their own
A small home with a big courtyard
Loiter around in a happy mood.
No conflict, no feud
The home will be a heaven to them.
They will live in that heaven
This is their aspiration
The home will be a den of happiness.

Mother

Translated by: Kazi Rafiqul Islam
Written in Bengali: Hazera Khatun

I don’t know where to place you, mother
When I see you, when I remember you
I portray you with my deepest desire.
Mother, o mother, why are you so big?
Why is your heart so large?
Why are you so liberal, mother?
Has this made you contain so much love
In your heart?
Love – which no one else in the world can contain.

A life with dowry problem

By Golam Rabbany Sujon
Video edited by Tarun Falia

My name is Laizu and I am about 20 years old. I was born in Dhaka and my parents came to Dhaka before my birth from Gopalgonj village under Faridpur district. I am the eldest child of my parents. My father is a Rickshaw mechanic and mother is a housewife. We have only a house and homestead in the village. I have two younger sisters and one younger brother. My younger sister Mousumi (17) studied up to class-7 and recently she started to work in a garment factory. Another younger sister Rumee (13) is reading in class-7 and younger brother is reading in class-2.

The financial condition of our family is not good. My father somehow maintains our family. After studying up to class-9 I had to stop my study due to poverty. My father is only one earning member of our family. My father rented a room in a tin-shed building where we (six members) live in very congested.

Laizu with her child

I got married with a young boy named Manik aged 25. Manik used to work in a car garage. Their family was known to our family for last long years in Dhaka. Their home district is Comilla. His mother used to call my father as her elder brother. Both of our guardians were discussing about our marriage. But none of them took any final decision/step. In the meantime we made good relation. One day (January 2007) Manik told me that his father became very sick and he wanted to see me. Then Manik took me to one of his relative’s house and got married. Few days later we returned to our family. But Manik’s family did not take it easily. Her parents demanded 1, 20,000 taka as they were trying to send Manik abroad. Then Manik started to live with their family. In the meantime became pregnant. After being pregnant Manik started to behave with me very rough. We heard that Manik would go abroad but he did not tell me or us anything. One day he was not returning from his workplace. Later we heard that he left Bangladesh and went Saudi Arab. He did not communicate with me or us. My parents communicated with Manik’s family and started to solve the problem. After a long discussion Manik parents agreed to take her as their son’s wife instead of 70,000 taka as dowry. My father paid 40000 taka and in the time I gave birth to a female child and I became sick. My father had to spend about 25000 taka due to my sickness but none of my law’s family member came to see me or my daughter. Later they inform that they would not take me to their house before returning their son from abroad.

But my father gave them money selling our color television and freeze. They also took some loan from a local co-operative society. Still now they are paying installment to this co-operative society. My younger sister gave up her study and took a job in a garment factory due to poverty.

Laizu’s also said “My parents are very poor and they live in hand to mouth in very difficulties. I am living with my daughter and my baby also needs some extra expenditure that is increasing day by day. At present I am an extra burden to my parents. I can not want to my parents anything for child as they became poorer for my good luck. So I felt to earn some money. So when my baby was only two months I started to learn tailoring from Nari Jibon. Now I can make all kinds of baby’s dresses, various kinds of woman’s dresses and some kinds of male dresses. But I failed to buy a sewing machine. Sometimes I collect dress making order from my neighboring people and I make these dresses going to a neighboring woman who has a sewing machine and sometimes I make these dresses going to Nari Jibon office but everyone knows that this is my own dress. Thus I am earning some money but I get this scope for a while. I am trying to lend some money to buy a sewing machine and so I am going to some of relatives/known persons but I am failure.”

Some Beautiful Moments with My Friends in Cox’s Bazaar

By Mohtarimun Nahar [Bipa]

I like to spend my free times with my friends. We always try to enjoy any vacations or festivals together. Now I will share some pictures of some beautiful moments with my friends, Bina and Maria in Cox’s Bazaar. We went there in a summer vacation. The natural beauty of The Cox’s Bazaar is amazing. I think everybody should go to Cox’s Bazaar at least once in their entire life.

I am with Bina

I am with Maria

I am with Maria & Bina

Some pictures of the Sea Beach

Increasing child labors in Dhaka city/Bangladesh

By Rabbany Sujon

First Published

Almost every month I go to wholesale fish market one or two times in a month that is situated Merul Badda. This wholesale fish market is 10 minutes walking distance from my residence. There are several reasons why I go to buy fish from this market. I can buy fresh fish in cheap prices than the retail kitchen market and I can not go to kitchen market everyday or every week. It also helps me to walk early in the morning. So I like to buy fish from this market.

Two years ago I saw few children used to come to this market. Some of them used to collect wasted fish or small fish that are fallen from the shop or dish. And that’s why they are called “Mas Chur” (thief of fish). Some of them used to help whole seller or retail fish businessmen and earned some money. But recently I am observing that more children are coming to work in this market and day by day their number is increasing.

One wholesale fish businessman informed that they number will be more than 100 hundred and rapidly their number is increasing.

I had also asked him why this number is increasing rapidly and he replied that you know that the living cost of Dhaka increasing rapidly day by day and recent high prices of food items make poor people more vulnerable. So every member of a poor family is trying hard to earn some money.

These children come to this market at about 5.00 am (one hour ago before sunrise) because business starts from 5.30 am to 8.00 am in the morning. During these periods they remain so busy that they have no scope to talk with me. One boy named Khokon about seven years informed that he comes before sunrise in this market. He helps wholesaler and retailer who come to buy fish. Retailer gives him 2 to 5 taka for bearing one basket fish (10 to 20 kg fish). He bears from wholesale shop to retailer spot that is out side of wholesale market near roadside and receive money. Thus he can earn 30 to 60 taka per day. He returns home at about 9.00 am in the morning. He went to school two years in a NGO school but at present he does not go to any school. He has been coming in this market for about last six months.

They are very busy to collect one trip. Two children were waiting to take this trip but one slight aged and (shishu mastan) muscle child took that trip avoiding other two children. They need one basket that's made of bamboo.

After slight raining and at the end of market time I have taken this picture. “Mama (maternal uncle) everyone call us ‘mas chur’(thief of fish) but we don’t steal any fish” said they children. Only three children studied two years to the school but now none of them go to school.

These three girls are searching small or wasted fish beside shops. They informed me that at the end of market time and collecting fish they would sell their collecting fish. Thus they can earn 10 taka to 20 taka per day. But often they are scolded by the fish businessmen and sometimes slight beaten.

There is also heavy competition among the tokai (street children). They also get up early in the morning (at the time of sunrise) and go out to collect wasted papers, packets, plastic bottles and other trashes from the street and dustbin. They can earn 100 to 200 taka per week collecting these. I saw these children in the street at about 6.30 when they were going to collect their goods.

This child is also trying to help her mothers to add slight more earning.

We can also observing that children are working as at railway station as Kuli (labor), small car workshops, factories and small tea shops. These numbers are also increasing but in this age they need to study. But they are struggling to live.

Nari Jibon bloggers celebrated Pahela Baishakh —9

After previous >>

Nari Jibon student Sultana Dilruba sang one of her favorite Rabindra sangeet (Rabindra music) in the program of Baishakh celebration.

Nari Jibon bloggers celebrated Pahela Baishakh —8

After previous >>

Nari Jibon student Selina Akter Bristi sang one of her favorite folksong in the program of Baishakh celebration.

Nari Jibon bloggers celebrated Pahela Baishakh —7

After previous >>

Nari Jibon student/blogger Shahida Islam Mony sang one of her favorite Bengali song in the program of Baishakh celebration.