And So It Is

I returned from my first site visit yesterday. On Tuesday, our research team of 7 headed out of the Dhaka capital to the village of Sirajganj. Unnayan Shamannay has been working in Sirajganj for the past 9 months to establish MDG Clubs focused on health, environment, education, and agriculture. Since I am researching efforts to localize the MDGs, I wanted to see what these clubs look like.

So we drove about 5 hours to this village. We pulled up to the Union Parishad Town Hall Meeting, and inside we were greeted by the Chairman of the Union Parishad. He had arranged for members of these clubs to talk to us about their activities. My boss Taifur Rahman started by giving a brief background of the MDGs. It was so unreal that we were discussing, on a local village level, these UN goals that I'd been reading about for years. I can't really describe what that felt like. Then Taifur introduced me, and I asked questions about the clubs...how they started, where the interest came from, what they do. And what I found blew my mind.

These local residents were very engaged, and knowledgeable about their development needs. They spoke eloquently of how they are addressing dilemmas in agriculture, education, etc. that their village is facing. They knew better than anyone else what their village needs and how to counter problems. That's what Unnayan Shamannay believes in: that local people have the capability and expertise to tackle local issues, and that they should be mobilized to do so. These MDG clubs aim to organize activities that are fully carried out by the local village residents.

I've never seen an NGO so committed to a deep understanding of local needs as Unnayan Shamannay. They aim to actually, truly understand what is needed, and in the aim of sustainable development, they engage those with the greatest stake in positive outcomes to actualize these activities. These people work with their hearts, fully, and it shows. It's so soul-soothing to see an NGO that can do this kind of work. A lot of it is built on the good name of Dr. Atiur Rahman. While we were in the village meeting, local villagers discussed the various times Atiur Rahman has visited and the things they said. They know him by name, and they respect him deeply. As part of the Education Club in Sirajganj, the 2 students with the highest grades at the end of the year get an award from Dr. Rahman at a reception every year. For this village children work like mad, for the chance to get to meet Dr. Atiur Rahman. To think of the greatness and authentic work that one man can inspire is nothing short of incredible.

The work that these village MDG clubs do is definitely difficult. They face shortages, crises, and a struggle with resources. Yet what is important is that the structure is in place. These members are interested, invested in the outcomes, and organized around discussing these issues. What Unnayan Shamannay is working on now is ensuring that this structure sustains. The village will always be facing crises, but these can be handled more effectively by a group committed and dedicated to discussing and tackling these issues. This MDG model so far has been carried out in 2 Union Parishads in Bangladesh. In our country, you don't get any more local than the Union Parishad....there are about 5000 UPs in Bangladesh. Unnayan Shamannay, we are now looking at how this model can be expanded to more UPs in Bangladesh.

It's so hard to explain what I felt. I studied these MDGs developed by the UN in a sterilized, academic context for over 2 years. To see how we talked about these goals in rural Bangladesh, in Bangla, in human terms, to see what an MDG meant in terms of one woman's life, to see what kind of action this actually inspired, brought tears to my eyes. I was so scared to do this, so scared that I wouldn't be able to. But this is a lot bigger than me; it's not about me. As much as I have to take myself out of my comfort zone, work harder, I don't care, because I believe in what human development can bring. I was worried about my ability to communicate with the villagers, but it was a non-issue. They listened to me attentively, they heard me, and we talked. When I told them that I was going to share what I saw in these villages in America, they clapped for me. It's probably the most beautiful sound I've ever heard.

After our session we wandered into the village. God, the endless greenery does wonders for your soul. I was feeling so many things.....peace, calm. When we talk about these rural villages, we talk in development terms, infrastructure needs, etc. No doubt, there were many things left to be done in the villages....the roads badly needed repair, etc. But needs on paper don't translate to life. These villagers are some of the most hospitable people I've met. Wherever we met, no matter how humble their conditions, the villagers would sit us down, feed us something, usually coconuts :), talk with us. I found it remarkably easy to talk with the female villagers and ask them about the MDG clubs.

And then we left, heading back to Dhaka. I came back with an even deeper love for my country, and a bit of a better understanding of how it can be better. I question whether I have the capability to address issues that big, and then I remember that of course I do. I have to. On the trip back, we made jokes and sang along the way. It's so interesting, it's my culture, and to see how interactions are different among Bangladeshis than amongst my American friends is really fun. There is an undeniable political undertone to everything we do here. On the way back to Dhaka we were stopped by police for a random inspection. They insisted on interrogating our driver, and wouldn't release him until they received money. These constant reminders make it hard to forget about the interim military government.

And so now we assess, review, prepare for the next site visit. Our team will be heading to Patuakhali, the other MDG Union, on Aug. 3rd. :) Until then, happy travels!