Understanding Bangladesh

Counting their blessings, and fearing cricket loss

College students are the same wherever you go! That was the theme as we spent the better part of two days at Dhaka University. The first day, as in this picture, we were introduced as visiting teachers trying to learn as much about a country in a month as we could. It may seem impossible, but I personally think that whatever we can take back to our students in the states will benefit them tremendously.

What we are seeing here every day is a country that is full of hard working happy people with a tremendous appreciation of life and the attitude that they are going to make the most out of their day as possible. Such is life in Bangladesh.

In our capacity as ambassadors, we have been stared at glared at, waved at, and even laughed at and have taken the all of the reactions in stride. In a nut shell that is the life of the people in Bangladesh. The people here, despite what we would term extreme poverty and overcrowded conditions are as happy with their lives as anyone.

As I spoke with many students at DU, I believe that the people of Bangladesh can and will contribute as much as they can with all of the energy and experience they can gather. The people of this country, like many others, accept what has been handed to them and they do the best they can to make it work.
We have seen it every day so far and yes, like the young kids playing in the monsoon rains, Bangladesh will make the best of what has been thrown at her. No sense cursing at the rain, you are only wasting your voice. As we learned the other day staring at an overturned bus, appreciate what you have been given, it could get much worse.

In another note: In the past year the favorite sporting team of Bangladesh, the national cricket team known as the Tigers, provided the people of their country with great promise by shoring up their team with many great players and advancing far into the final rounds of the World Cup. This year, amid the deal making, and all of the promise, the Tigers are on the verge of being swept by the Sri Lanka. (A national crisis from what I hear from the people!)

From the look of things, it kind of reminds me of my constant hope every spring of my hometown Cubs. Well, I do not know the fate of the Cubs at this point in the summer, but here’s toping their seasons turns out better that the Bangladesh National Tigers.

George Kuhter is the eighth grade social studies teacher at South Tama Middle School in Toledo.   |    Login or Join to Post Comments