The Little Pea
An expectant mother’s view
Sarka Hejnakova, the unofficial Miss Congeniality of the humanitarian organization ADRA, familiarly called Sarus, has been the coordinator of the BanglaKids program since 2007. From that time on, thousands of Bangladeshi children have “passed through” her hands and hundreds of their mostly Czech “adoptive” parents have appreciated the communication with her. By the beginning of July, she is to become a mother herself. For the first time. Her colleagues Jan, Anna and Kamil talked with her about what it is like to take care of children abroad and look forward to having a baby of one’s own.
Jan: Sarus, you’re expecting a newborn by the beginning of July. You had an interesting nickname for him. What was it?
Little Pea. I used the neuter gender because I didn’t know the baby’s sex, and my husband used the feminine gender because he wished to have a girl. Then we found out it’s going to be a boy and we chose the name Ondra. And that’s how Little Pea became little Ondra.
Jan: The main part of your job is communication. I’d like to know whether you talk with Little Pea in a way or sing to him.
Yes, of course. At the beginning – when my belly was small – I didn’t talk with him, I didn’t fully realize that I was pregnant. But from the first half of February, before sleeping, I tell Ondra a couple of words about our day, what interesting happened, and I sing songs to him. I prefer songs by Jarek Nohavica, Karel Plíhal and the Beatles and of course some traditional folk songs, too. I’ve also bought a guitar and even though I haven’t played it yet, its time will come soon.
Kamil: That’s nice. And what about fairytales?
They’ll wait until Ondra is born.
Jan: Sarus, we keep a chart on our whiteboard showing how Little Pea grows and we’re very happy because he is doing so well. What are your feelings when the line in the graph gets higher? Last time we even wrote down his estimated weight.
I am happy, just as when I visit my doctor and she shows me Ondra on the ultrasound and I know he is doing well with me.
Honza: Do you think that, after years, you will be able to part with the BanglaKids program and only take care of one baby?
I think so. After all, having my own baby is different. However, I will be very glad to return after a three-year parental leave and continue my work for children in Bangladesh and our donors.
Anna: Do you think that people may have different feelings about the BanglaKids program, depending on whether they are – or are not – parents themselves? Will your stance change?
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It may have some influence, but children in our program are supported by donors both with and without children. My husband and I, together with some other donors, also support one girl, Bristy, almost from the start of my job at BanglaKids. We will gladly keep doing so, it definitely won’t change. Maybe though, thanks to being parents ourselves, we will understand better the feelings of some of our donors who feel as if they were “adoptive parents” and we will see what it means to them..
Jan: Our colleagues from the economic department have recently proclaimed you the most likable co-worker of ADRA, something like ADRA’s Miss Congeniality. What do you think about that?
I am pleased, but since we have so many likable colleagues here and our whole team is really nice, I‘m afraid it’s not very well deserved.
Anna: You have worked in the BanglaKids program for more than 7 years and have done a great deal of work. Which are your most pleasant memories?
Meeting our donors, receiving friendly phone calls, emails, and letters. Bangladeshi children and their lovely smiles. The indescribable moments on my two journeys to Bangladesh. The taste of Bangladeshi rice and lentils called “Dal” and local melons.
I am very glad whenever new kids join our program. Also communication with our satisfied donors makes me very happy.
Kamil: Which, on the other hand, were the most difficult parts?
In the past years, two children died from malaria. Informing their donors was very difficult for me. For a long time, it also troubled me to tell donors that the children supported by them stopped visiting the school for some reason because I was worried of how they were going to take it. Some donors were very sad, some, however, accepted it well.
Kamil: What has working for BanglaKids given you?
It showed me how many kind people there are in our, and not only our, country. People who are eager to help, to do something for others. Moreover, it taught me that it is possible for people without “fate” on their side to be happy and live good lives.
Kamil: What impressions you have from communicating with donors?
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The communication with donors has been very friendly. I got in closer contact with some of them. I was pleased by their patience and understanding at times when something didn’t go according to the plan. Many times, donors thanked us for our work – that would not happen in a different job.
I’m happy for every donor who starts supporting a child in the BanglaKids program, and I’m always very pleased when our program is joined by donors who don’t have much spare money themselves. I would like to thank all donors for their support and friendly communication. Without them our work would be impossible.
Anna: How has the BanglaKids program changed?
We inform our donors more about latest news and happenings in the BanglaKids program and about children, of course. We want to simplify the image of the way our program works as, for example, in the case of our web (www.banglakids.cz/en/) – it has a new look, giving us the opportunity to share the important information.
Anna: Do you have an idea of what should work differently at BanglaKids when you come back? Will we get any tasks from you?
I’m sure we will agree on some tasks. But I think that you and Kamil will come up with many things that could or should change on your own. I would definitely like the feedback from Bangladesh to work better. I also hope that we’ll have more donors and more kids will get the opportunity to live a better life.
Anna: Are you looking forward to your maternity/parental leave?
Yes, it’s going to be a great change, I guess that everything’s going to be “upside down”, but I am looking forward to taking care of Ondra and seeing him grow and develop. I hope we will make him feel happy.
Honza: What if we need your advice? Are we allowed to distract you from the maternity leave?
Of course, but I don’t think it will be necessary because you all are really skillful.
Anna: Every one of us will miss you but I’m afraid you won’t miss us.
I think I will miss you, at least from time to time. I have felt so great with you here after all. Once in a while, Ondra and I will visit and we’ll stay in touch for sure.
Anna: Would you like to send the children some wishes before you leave for some time?
I wish the kids to be happy and satisfied at our schools and, more importantly, when they start their own journeys. May their dreams come true.
Anna: And for the donors?
Thank you very much, I hope you’ll be fine, see you in a few years!
Jan: Thank you for the interview. We wish your ripe Pea is fresh as a daisy!
P.S. If you have any questions for Sarka Hejnakova, send them to banglakids@adra.cz.
P.P.S. On 3 July 2015, fit and well little Ondra (1' 7" and 7.2 lb) was born to the family of Sarka and Martin! It happened on his dad’s birthday! Congratulations to both mom and dad, and we wish little Ondra to keep on living like a happy pea!
You can have a look at Ondra’s photos in the gallery below.
