Dhaka - Unbelievable

I have arrived in Dhaka. Actually I arrived about 10 hours ago but this is the first opportunity I have had to work on a computer. The day consisted of a tour of the two orphanages and a lot of naps.

It is safe to say that I am somewhat overwhelmed today. No tears yet but close. I am so excited to be here, but at the same time I feel so incredibly inept. I cannot imagine how my limited being can ever possibly do enough to alleviate the level of poverty here.

The school houses 151 children and they are all obviously desperate for attention. The only ones that do not stand when I enter the room, shout out an energetic 'good morning' and then fight to hold my hand, stroke my hair, or ask me my favourite anything, are the children in the special ward for sick kids.

I am honoured to be here.

Tomorrow I am hoping to make a photograph day. I want you all to see this amazing place. I don't have my own computer hooked up to the internet so I don't have MSN or my video camera working yet (sorry Kevin).

Please know that despite my combined feelings of exhaustion, fear, excitement and love I am alright and I know for certain that this is exactly where I am supposed to be. As I threw a sheet over a mattress pad in the middle of the floor of the room that Kristen and I will share for the next few days, I saw the largest beedle I have ever seen run across the corner of the floor. I laid down on the floor under a huge ceiling fan, felt the sweat drip down my back (it's about 35 here and humid) and fell asleep for 2 hours.

Love from Bangladesh,
Tamara

Dubais Airport

I've landed in Dubais. It was a long flight, more than 12 hours and I had forgotten how hard that is to do. Funny how easily we forget some things. Great food, spicy curry chicken, cheese omelette. I always struggle with how much to eat. Eat too much you feel like crap, eat too little and you feel hungry and you are always just a little at the mercy of the airline because you are stuck in your seat and you have to wait for the food cart to come along. I am still conscious of not over eating as I don't want to get plump, but also know that I may suffer with the change in diet and so I don't mind the extra calories right now...silly to worry about I know considering what I am about to do. Yet, my humanness prevails.

They sang the call to prayer a moment ago. I had forgotten how much I like that sound. It is beautiful. The airport is very nice, full of people from all over the world but very definitley Middle Eastern dominant. I like the clothing, and find myself very comfortable walking through the place and the people. Those who know me won't be surprised that I found the most comfortable place to write this on the floor sitting against the wall. But I am sure to keep my feet flat on the floor as I know that in some places overseas it is disrespectful to show the bottom of your feet.

I am now 8 hours ahead of you, 2 more when I arrive in Dhaka. I hate losing time. Especially today, Duncan's birthday. Birthdays should be 48 hours long....especially for my prince Duncan.

And dad, thank you for the book. I read two sections so far and I LOVE it. My favourite quote so far is "religious people fear hell, spiritual people have been there".

Oh, one more thing. I forgot about squat toilets. I don't mind them, but I sure hope they never make a move to install them in North America.

Love to all,
Me!

Departure Day

Today I am heading off on my adventure. I take with me 15 recorders, 20 books, stickers, alphabet, number and phonetic word flash cards, a long Alphabet border, my flute, 2 zip lock bags full of herb and vegetable seeds, a tool kit, paint and a book to paint in, and some spa stuff for Kristen (the volunteer that I am following). This fills one whole suitcase.

My backpack is full of my camera and dad's mini photo printer, 2 huge first aid kits, hiking boots, one pair of dress shoes (dad knows that shoe choice was one of the most difficult decisions), 2 hats, and a small pile of clothes. There are also a few odds, like a compass, a quick dry towel, a travel hair dryer (hmm, do I really need this?) and the required important paperwork.

The bag isn't even full and I feel like I have forgotten something. But I realize now that the rest of the bag is full of all of the kind words, thoughts, best wishes, hopes, dreams and desires of all of the people that I take with me.

I will make you proud. And more importantly, I will make a difference.

Departure time, 9:40 p.m. Toronto, September 19, 2008
Arrival time, 8:40 a.m. Dhaka, September 21, 2008
F.Y.I. Dhaka is 10 hours AHEAD in time.

Dhaka, Bangladesh

I have been given the opportunity (thank you Marsha) to travel to Dhaka, Bangladesh to work as a volunteer for 3 months at a school and a camp for orphaned children. If you would like to donate to Families For Children, if you would like to help me with the cost of my trip (approxomately $2,500.00) or if you have any of the following items that I want to take with me please contact me by email at chappy66@hotmail.com

Things that I am going to take with me that I do not have:
*Recorders (the musical instrument - to teach music)
*Dollhouse & dollhouse furniture patterns (to teach the boys how to make them)
*Basic Readers, Flash cards, and English Lesson Books (to teach ESL)

*Recipes for Homemade creams and lotions (to teach the girls how to make)

http://www.familiesforchildren.ca/
http://ffc-dhaka.awardspace.com/

Unfortunately I cannot issue a tax receipt for any contributions you make to my trip but you WILL receive a tax receipt for any donations you make to Families For Children.

Thank you for reading!

Tamara