A most rewarding distribution today. 500 hundred bedkits successfully distributed in Banaripara. Banaripara is a south central village in the Division of Barisal approximately 250 km south of the capital city of Dhaka. The location of the distribution took place on the property of Captain Moazzam and his wife Farzana Hossain. The hosts opened their home and the surrounding grounds for a successful distribution.
At each of the distributions, the word, sponsorship has been regularly shared between the Rotarians and volunteers from the local village. Prior to the bedkits being distributed today, I had a brief opportunity to speak with Rotarians of Dhaka and with Moazzam (past President for the Rotarians of Dhaka) to gain a comprehensive understanding of the term, sponsorship. It was explained, that sponsorship is a large component of what makes the distribution successful. Most often an individual or a number of individuals will sponsor the children who are receiving the be kits. This is not to be confused with the purchase of a bedkit which is completed by the donor. Sponsoring children at a distribution entails paying for the packing and storage of the bedkits prior to distribution, the cost of transporting the bedkits to the distribution site, financially covering the costs of trainers who teach the volunteers what is necessary for a successful distribution, and the costs for the visiting managers who visit the site in advance to check on its suitability and preparedness. An individual can also sponsor a light one time meal for each child and pay their transportation costs if the children are transported from a distance away from the site.
Today, Captain Moazzam and Farzana Hossain covered 100% all of the costs including a meal and the transportation of all 500 children. Today, some children travelled up to four hours one way by boat and then bus to the site and then home again in the mid-afternoon. Moazzam and Farzana also fed well over 40 volunteers and the local security personal with a wonderful and healthy lunch and tea in their home.
When I spoke with Moazzam, he indicated that it is his and his wife’s love for others and a need to share what they are able, to help the children in Bangladesh. There were 500 smiling children today and their families will have a good sleep this evening. The Hossain family set a clear example for others on what it means to be giving and to make a difference for children.
Neil Chopp for Team Bangladesh
