New Update on the Sharkar Family
October 15, 2007
Below is an update on the Sharkar family as of September 6th, written by Greg Pardo, who has been working with the family personally for several months. Since correspondence is limited with those working in the field, this update is slightly out-dated, but we thought you would like to hear it anyway. We will bring you updates as we get them.
We hope this finds you well.
Peace to you,
ROSA LOVES
06 September 2007
During a visit to Netrokona I made it a priority to visit the Shorkars in order to check on their status. Before visiting I had received phone calls from the oldest, Babul, asking me when I was going to visit. He now only refers to me as ‘Uncle’ rather than Greg.
When I arrived in the Shorkar’s village, the roads were still muddy due to the final weeks of the monsoon season, but the situation was different from when I first visited along with Khushbu earlier this summer.
The Shorkar’s home was filled with neighbors who were visiting. Babul was resting on their bed after a long day of rickshaw pulling, and his younger siblings were playing with the village children. Mrs. Rita Rani was cleaning the area around the house.
I sat down inside the house to ask them about their progress and any challenges that they might be facing. I was sad to hear that Mrs. Rita Rani’s first batch of silk worms had gone bad due to the continuing rains. But she said it was okay as long as in October the rains would stop. As for Babul and his rickshaw, he was able to earn from 800 BDT – 1000 BDT (12 USD – 14 USD) on a weekly basis. Babul only waits for the local government to provide him with his license, but this will have to wait until the end of the year due to quotas. Babul’s income, along with Noyon’s contribution from fishing has allowed the family to have food on a daily basis.
Once the monsoon rains end, Mrs. Rita Rani will be provided with her milk cow which will help her create additional income for the family and also continue to accumulate simple, but important assets.
Mrs. Rita Rani is also waiting for January when she can once again enroll her daughter Kobita in school. She is eager to see the Child Development Center built in their village. She hopes that the two youngest, Shanto and Purnima will one day also attend the CDC.
I left the village content with what I saw. The family is slowly recovering from the hardships that they were facing earlier this summer. Although they are still considered impoverished, they have a foundation in which they can have the freedom to development themselves into a better life.
Greg Pardo – September 2007
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Posted by: MikeWe hope this finds you well.
Peace to you,
ROSA LOVES
06 September 2007
During a visit to Netrokona I made it a priority to visit the Shorkars in order to check on their status. Before visiting I had received phone calls from the oldest, Babul, asking me when I was going to visit. He now only refers to me as ‘Uncle’ rather than Greg.
When I arrived in the Shorkar’s village, the roads were still muddy due to the final weeks of the monsoon season, but the situation was different from when I first visited along with Khushbu earlier this summer.
The Shorkar’s home was filled with neighbors who were visiting. Babul was resting on their bed after a long day of rickshaw pulling, and his younger siblings were playing with the village children. Mrs. Rita Rani was cleaning the area around the house.
I sat down inside the house to ask them about their progress and any challenges that they might be facing. I was sad to hear that Mrs. Rita Rani’s first batch of silk worms had gone bad due to the continuing rains. But she said it was okay as long as in October the rains would stop. As for Babul and his rickshaw, he was able to earn from 800 BDT – 1000 BDT (12 USD – 14 USD) on a weekly basis. Babul only waits for the local government to provide him with his license, but this will have to wait until the end of the year due to quotas. Babul’s income, along with Noyon’s contribution from fishing has allowed the family to have food on a daily basis.
Once the monsoon rains end, Mrs. Rita Rani will be provided with her milk cow which will help her create additional income for the family and also continue to accumulate simple, but important assets.
Mrs. Rita Rani is also waiting for January when she can once again enroll her daughter Kobita in school. She is eager to see the Child Development Center built in their village. She hopes that the two youngest, Shanto and Purnima will one day also attend the CDC.
I left the village content with what I saw. The family is slowly recovering from the hardships that they were facing earlier this summer. Although they are still considered impoverished, they have a foundation in which they can have the freedom to development themselves into a better life.
Greg Pardo – September 2007
Dhaka, Bangladesh
The Sharkar Family
