'A' student

Today was another busy day, with a seminar on women's rights, a session of work on reporting and funding application writing, a prizegiving, some shopping and tea with a colleague, then back to the guesthouse to work on a log frame (no need to be overcome by jealousy!)

Soraya is an A student, and was receiving her prize marking this. The Leprosy Mission's Dhaka Community Based Rehabilitation project provides education support for several hundred young people, who otherwise would not be in school as their parents couldn't afford for them to go. This afternoon, along with Jiptha Boiragee, TLM Bangladesh's Head of Dhaka Programme, I presented awards for academic excellence to the 20 or so children who had finished 1st or 2nd in their classes, or has received an overall mark of A+, A or A-. They ranged from class 1 to 10, 1 being the youngest. These young people come from poor families, often with one or more disabled parent, or someone in their family is affected by leprosy, meaning they face stigma which makes life harder for them. Soraya was one of the students who spoke before the prizegiving to say thank you for the opportunity of studying. I was struck by just how much we in the UK take education for granted. Everyone goes to school, many of us complained about it a lot of the time, and only a tiny % can't read, whereas in Bangladesh, less than 60% of the population can read. While the stats improve as the age group gets younger, with around 80% of 15-24 year olds literate, that is still a lot of people who can't read. As I have been driving around the country, I have noticed posters everywhere for upcoming local elections. Each poster features a photo of the candidate, some text about their policies and a picture of a random object, for example a pair of glasses, a pineapple, a football or a padlock. These symbols will appear next to their names on the ballot papers, so that illiterate voters know where to put their cross. It was such a privilege to celebrate with these wonderful kids, and those of their proud parents who were able to come and see them receive their prizes. It seems very odd to be a celebrity, and I'm glad it's not a permanent feature, but if I get to meet such wonderful, warm and generous kids, I will enjoy every moment!