Working.....

Eeeeh! Okay I finished my second day at Unnayan Shamannay yesterday. And it's been pretty great so far. On the first day, Taifur Bhai introduced me to everyone and showed me around. I am "Shefa from America." I've never been described like that before. :) Then Taifur provided me with a lot of the specific research I've been looking for....MDG progress specifically for Bangladesh, localized targets and strategies. The sources they have are incredible. I've read many World Bank, UN, and Government of Bangladesh reports. What US (short for Unnayan Shamannay) produces are publications from the people's perspective. They try to gauge the general people's perspective on progress and shortcomings on MDGs. It's exactly what I've been looking for, and the past few days I've been soaking up their info.

I met with the executive director yesterday, the amazing Atiur Rahman. He is so intriguing, and interesting...he brings his white Lab Dushtu to work. :) We made a plan for our site visits....he's been very good at accommodating me. We are going to Sirajganj this Saturday, and Patuakhali Aug. 3rd-6th.

Taifur sat down and helped me make a work plan yesterday, one that encompasses my meetings with Ashoka fellows and public health specialists around the country. They have so much knowledge here. The things I've been looking for, they've been working on for more than 10 years. It's very humbling, and I'm extremely grateful that they're giving me so much time, given I'm so ripe on all this.

So it's interesting at work. Albeit an organization that espouses gender equity and women's empowerment, I'm one of maybe 5 women in the office. I think that says more about status of women's employment in Bangladesh moreso than the hiring preferences of US. The people who work here are extremely dedicated, motivated, and progressive. It's strange, I really didn't foresee myself having much of a language issue. I thought I was kind of almost fluent, and could speak Bangla like a native. But kind of not true....when I speak Bangla with them I tend to fumble a lot, and it's readily apparent that I am a foreigner.

I'm sort of disappointed, but I will work to improve. I can tell the staff is sort of interested in why I'm here. Some of them tentatively asked me what I think of America and Bush. I think they are trying to see what my motives are and what it is I want to do. They've been very nice to me, but I think it will take some time before they tell me what they really think and engage in serious academic dialogue. I hope to be at that stage soon.....through being genuine and earnest in my efforts I think that will come. It's kind of strange being "the American."

Yesterday was quite the day....the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was arrested on extortion charges. It was a big deal all day. I went to lunch with a few of my colleagues, and we went to this out of the way food joint for lunch. I loved it. :) We were debating politics, and one of my colleagues nervously told us to keep it down. That's when I remembered that while the interim caretaker govt is in, all political activity is banned. It's interesting, people say things in the country are much better now than before....traffic, greater efficiency, greater safety. But there are other things going on, certain freedoms restricted, and things going on beneath the surface that start to show every now and then.

So far this has been a lot of what I'm looking for. This people are genuine, their work is earnest, and their intention is authentic. I have a tendency to love everything I do, but this really feels good. :)