Tell people around you that you love them
Smiling, energetic, kind-hearted. This is Kristýna, the donor and the student of the University of Economics in Prague. Since she was 18 she has supported the education of children via BanglaKids project. You can read about the details and adventures from her journey to Bangladesh in this article.
How did you get the idea to visit Bangladesh?
I was strongly motivated by the interview with donor Věrka. She had not travelled before, yet she was not afraid, and she decided to go for it. I decided I can do it too. I wanted to see the child I adopted. Also, I wanted to show the people that the money I donate are not lost somewhere, there is a real story behind this.
Were you afraid of something before you left?
I was afraid of the country. I only knew there is poverty in Bangladesh. I did not know how it would be there and this scared me. But I wanted to do it for myself, it was a step forward, the way how to challenge myself, and just go.
In Bangladesh you met a boy Himel. He changed his school and he was no more receiving the support from BanglaKids. But you were informed about this only after your arrival. It was a meeting and saying goodbye at the same time. How did this meeting go?
At first, I was looking for him among the boys, I thought he could be there. But, during the dinner they told me he changed the school. I was shocked. I thought my journey was completely useless because the person I wanted to meet was no more there. I felt relieved when they told me we would visit him at his home. And finally, it was fine. At the begging we were quite nervous, there were a lot of people in house, and it took some time till Himel started to talk. The most beautiful moment was the time of saying goodbye. He run towards me and gave me a hug. I knew he was glad for what I had done for him. These are really nice memories.
During your visit to Bangladesh you decided to support another girl. You had a chance to spend more time with her. How was meeting Poppy?
With Poppy it was different than with Himel. She was there without her family and she spent whole two days with me. She did not speak English well, so we had to discover the other ways how to communicate, but we did it. We walked, she showed me the school, and if there was a silence between us I asked somebody older for help with translation. It was a nice time. Than we played football, volleyball, and we braided our hair.
You also met Popy’s family. How did you feel when visiting their home?
When I saw Popy’s mum I realized I had nothing to give her, I wanted to bring something for her. After that it was really nice experience. I could see she was grateful for my help. She walked with me to say me goodbye and all the way she was holding my hand. That was nice and lovely moment.
Did you change your opinion about Bangladesh and BanglaKids after your journey?
I have never travelled alone before, I only went on holiday with my parents. I knew Bangladesh was a poor country, I knew its number of inhabitants, and I knew my adopted child lived there. Now I know a little bit more. :-)was not all-inclusive trip, but the people should get out of their comfort zone and live through such experience, they should travel to these countries.
I did not have a clue about how the project BanglaKids works. I knew the money are sent there but, what happen with them after? It was cool to see it with my own eyes. I liked reading of the letters and the process of getting ready the photos that are sent to the donors. It is not just about taking a photo of the child with the donor letter. The children are explained who write them the letter, what they write, etc. It is great. I could see how the schools spent money coming from the project, how the things work, what about the teachers. There were so many things. And, I understood the reasons and meaning of your work there.
Why do you think we should help the families in Bangladesh and the people in developing countries in general?
You help the children to get the better education and thus the country can also do better. During our stay Bangladesh turned from least developed country into developing country (UN categories). It is a big step forward. A lot of people say: “Why don’t you help the children in the Czech Republic?” My reply is we have the Czech state to do so. It is does not matter whether the children live in the Czech Republic or in Bangladesh. Child is a living being and needs a help. I believe the people in Bangladesh deserve help more than people here in the Czech Republic.
Each country should take care of its citizens. If it is not possible than the help comes from outside. The countries should help each other. We are equal. It does not matter whether the person speaks Bengali or Czech, if the colour of his/her skin is dark or bright. We are human beings, and everybody has its right to live the life with dignity.
You needed only few sentences to get the students attention and they really liked you. You amazed them. How did you do that?
I don’t know. Maybe it is because of my age, I am almost the same age as they are. I also talked and played with them, we ate with hands together. Normally I do not seek for attention, but I had to get used on this. It was necessary there and it was nice to know there is something more and deeper I left behind after all.
You had to travel to visit the kids and you went by car, by rickshaw, and you rode a motorbike. What about this experience?
I have not ridden the motorbike for a long time, so, that was my favourite one. The wind in my hair, it was such a freedom, an amazing experience. I don’t like rickshaws, but the travelling by car was great, it was comfortable. I could look around or sleep. Once we met the elephants, they were on the road and we couldn’t continue. I was afraid they would damage our car. But finally, we did it and the next time we were more cautious.
Which experience had the most important impact on you? Did the visit to Bangladesh influence somehow your daily life?
I think the meeting with Popy’s mum, it was my best experience. I was crying without intentions. It just happened, and suddenly it came into my mind that I am lucky. I have amazing family and fantastic people around me. Of course, they have it too. I do not want to say we live in a better way. Our way is different. We can study, and we do not have to be preoccupied with our jobs so much as they are or to solve such difficult situations. The people there are happier, and they smile more, despite having problems.
In the Czech Republic we walk on the street, we do not smile at each other, we keep the distance. It is important to tell the people around you that you love them. I am grateful for everything I have, even more than I was before. The journey also changed the way I deal problems, I do not take them so seriously now. I do not want to be stressed all the time, I want to be happy. I believe when the person is happy the good things just happen.
You became a donor when you were only 18. How would you motivate the young people to do the same?
The child I support is real and she/he wants to study, that I like most. Their education helps the family and the family than helps the whole country. It is a circle. We never know when we might need the help. There are periods when we are lucky but, suddenly some problems appear, and we need a help too. For example, my boyfriend liked the idea and he wanted us to adopt a child together.
How much money should the people earn to be able to share with others?
I think people can share always and forever. We can share our smile or hugs. I do not think there is any limit that if reached the people should stop to share. In case of incomes, I think if the people want they can always somehow manage to support the others. But it is hard to judge, it depends on every person.
What would you wish the Bengali children, BanglaKids donors and yourself?
I wish the Bengali children to successfully finish their studies and help Bangladesh to prosper. I wish donors to get back all thee good they deserve for helping the children. And I wish myself to be happy, have a healthy family, healthy and cute children.
