Story Volunteer Naomi
Earlier this year, I Naomi, decided to resign from my job and follow my heart: to spend at least three months in Bangladesh, my father’s home country. Since childhood, I had dreamed of staying there for an extended period—so I could finally learn the language properly, get to know my family and culture more deeply, and at the same time contribute to the lives of girls and young women who are often unseen.
In my search for an organization committed to the wellbeing of girls and women, Niketan quickly emerged as a trustworthy choice. That’s how my plan took shape: one month of Bangla language classes in Dhaka, followed by two months of volunteer work with Niketan. My assignment was to investigate the situation of girls and young women with disabilities—their wellbeing, their experiences with violence, and their needs. Training sessions had already revealed troubling stories, but independent research to properly document these issues was still lacking.
Warm welcome
From the moment I arrived at Afroza’s Place in Baniajuri, I felt at home. The boys at the residence immediately helped with my luggage, colleagues asked curious questions about my life, and before long I was sitting with the first girls for interviews. These conversations gave me a rare glimpse into their lives: the beautiful parts, but at times also their pain. Some stories were so intense that I needed a moment to recover afterwards. No child (or adult) should ever experience such things.
My respect for the children is immense. They grow up in a society where being ‘different’ is often not accepted, and where proper care, love, and development are luxuries. And my admiration for the staff of Niketan/DRRA is just as great: six days a week they are there for the children.
The two months in Baniajuri flew by. Saying goodbye to Afroza’s Place and Bangladesh was painful. I would have loved to stay longer, but due to the (political) unrest in the country, it wasn’t wise. I already miss the warmth of the people (and the weather), the food, and the green surroundings that are somehow both calming and chaotic—Bangladesh in a nutshell. But above all, I miss the children and their energy.
I am grateful for everyone I met, proud of the research I was able to conduct (click here for the link), and deeply moved by the strength of the girls who shared their stories with me.
Lastly: donors, your contributions truly make a difference. Thanks to you, Niketan can continue this vital and urgently needed work.
Warm regards,
Naomi Faasse
