Bangladesh as a model for the US?

Christine ran across this article recently: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/10/opinion/biden-child-poverty-bangladesh.html

As someone who has worked to address child malnutrition her whole career this really affirms the importance of investing in children for Christine. She loves the ending quote from Kristof, the writer - 'Bangladesh reminds us that investing in marginalised children isn’t just about compassion, but about helping a nation soar'

I have no doubt that the Biden Rescue Plan would be contentious for more than a few readers of this blog. We agree with the writer of this article that childhood poverty in the US is a blemish on the face of US economic strength. And wouldn't it be amazing to cut childhood poverty in half in the US? This really should be a priority for the church as well, not leaving such initiative to government! 

The bridge built over the last year not far from our base

But the real reason we are bringing up this article is because of its mention of Bangladesh as a model for development. We are constantly amazed at the progress in Bangladesh (though our understanding of Bangladesh as a whole is pretty limited). This is where Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) was first invented, reducing mortality from diarrheal disease not only in Bangladesh, but quite literally, around the world for millions of people. The factor most directly connected to improving child malnutrition rates is education levels of girls/young women and Bangladesh has seen that improvement through their commitment to getting girls educated and gainfully employed as adults. 

We have been amazed as, over the last year, a formidable bridge was built over a stream that we cross when we go walking for recreation in the rice paddies not far from our base. Concrete footings were sunk into the bed of the stream. And it seems that this work was all done by hand using all local labor. Now people in this area have better access to markets for their products. And roads, big and small, are constantly being improved. Bangladesh has really made amazing progress, as Kristof points out. 

Our focus here is really the Rohingya. But Medair Bangladesh employs around 160 Bangladeshi staff for our work with the Rohingya. We rub shoulders with them every day. We pray together for the Rohingya (though we come from 4 different faith traditions). And Christine & I enjoy getting to know our Bangladeshi colleagues, and their country, better. 

 End of year party - female staff got matching blue saris to celebrate

It is possible for all of us to get jaded to the realities around us, and accept them as immutable. However, few things are, in fact, unchangeable. Bangladesh is showing us that. We pray that Bangladesh will continue to lead the way for change which happens all around the world! 

Praise for: 

• Small wins in getting permissions to continue our work in the camps (we have approval for all the Nutrition facilities)
• Phil's enjoyment of the challenges of the PC position and being able to contribute to the program as PC.

 Prayer for: 

• More small (and big!) wins in terms of approvals for our work 
• the SHE team has, thus far, only gotten permission to move ahead with 200 households (and only verbal permission) - please pray that hearts would be moved so these families living in housing that needs upgrading before the monsoon and cyclone seasons, can have access to this assistance. 
• The thousands of Rohingya refugees who have been moved to Basan Char island from the camps - the UN is doing an assessment this week - pray that this improves the situation for those moved there.
• A disabled boat off the coast of India full of Rohingya refugees that has not been rescued for 3 weeks! The situation of people on board has to be dire at this point. There is currently wrangling around where the refugees will be taken which is also hampering the rescue. 
• Like many other places in the world, we seem to be having a bit of a surge in COVID-19 cases here in BGD. You prayers for the sparing of the refugees, and the country as a whole, are greatly appreciated!