Welcome

Hello and thanks for taking the time to visit my blog Bangladeshi times.

I'm moving to Bangladesh in late January 2010 to work with a bangladeshi Human Rights Organization. My placement is organised through and supported by Voluntary Services Overseas(VSO) who seek to fight global poverty by empowering people, governments, organizations and indigenous business through the sharing of skills offered by volunteers....more on VSO to come.

Over the next year, I'll be working as an Advocacy and Networking Advisor with Agrogoti Sangstha. This small non-governmental organisation work for the protection of human rights predominantly through the promotion of good governance in the South West region of Khulna. My role is to work with the organization and their constituents to improve their structures for influening policy makers, donors and any other stakeholder who can contribute to the realization of human rights. (don't worry, you'll find out what that actually means in good time :)

But while this blog certainly seeks to raise awareness about issues facing developing countries, it will also host stories, photos and videos which portray the lighter side of life for a Leitrim man in Bangladesh

So I'll start with a confession: I know very very little about Bangladesh but here goes:

I know it's surrounded by India, and is very close to Myanamar, Nepal and Bhutan. I know it holds a population of 155million in an area just twice the size of Ireland!!! I know that 90% of that population are of the islamic faith and the rest are a mix of Hindus, Buddhists and Christians.

Strangely Bangladesh has only 3%unemployment; unfortunately, however, 80% of the population earn less than two dollars a day! Many regions are hit by cyclones, monsoons and widespread flooding every year, and climate change is certainly not helping!Thus Bangladesh is one of the poorest countries in the World.


Yet despite this, speak with anyone who has ever visited Bangladesh and you will hear that despite their poverty the Bangladeshi people are the warmest and most hospitable you can meet, that thanks to the monsoon rains,it has some of the most beautiful and potentially fertile lands, and that it is home to a beautiful Tiger called the Royal Bengali!

So above all,I know that I am going to experience a life unlike anything I've experienced before and that while perhaps trying to avoid a face to face meeting with the big bad Tiger, I am going to enjoy myself thoroughly.

So please, check back regularly, keep me company and share your views!

Michael