Participants:
Series Code: HIM
Program Code: HIM001103S
|
00:07 Well, we're certainly living in a crisis
00:09 and it's a very volatile time. 00:12 Something is changing every day. 00:14 We have seen supplies and groceries 00:17 run out in supermarkets. 00:19 It's been unbelievable. 00:21 We need help. 00:23 Child Impact has over 3,500 needy children in India, 00:28 Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Zambia. 00:34 And when the virus had cease 00:35 Adventist mission schools, 00:37 then their challenges will be far bigger than ours. 00:41 And not being able to get toilet paper 00:43 will be the least of their worries. 00:47 In most cases, they are on 00:49 or below the poverty line right now. 00:53 There are huge hygiene issues 00:55 and constantly they lack simple soap 00:59 and as well shortages on the basic food like rice, 01:03 it will rise in costs. 01:05 And the schools can hardly afford 01:07 that cost now. 01:09 We must do something. 01:11 Each year, we have our Rice Appeal. 01:13 So, this year, it's going to be the Rice and Health Appeal. 01:19 We're going to supply bulk rice to the schools, 01:22 ensuring the kids eat and save the school's money. 01:26 And we've done that every year and we appreciate your support. 01:30 We're going to give every child 01:32 and staff on these schools some bars of soap, 01:36 and we're also going to give them 01:38 a health education pamphlet for them and their families. 01:43 Many simply don't wash their hands, 01:46 but in this crisis, we must help 01:49 and try to give some education. 01:52 Fortunately, in most remote areas, 01:55 it has not struck yet, but when it does, 01:58 there will be a huge effect. 02:01 I know we're suffering. 02:02 But at this time, could we simply help 02:05 over 20,000 kids and 150 mission schools? 02:10 If it's successful, 02:11 we will widen the support 02:13 to other Adventist mission schools. 02:17 The appeal ensures that 02:18 the kids are fed 02:20 and saves the school's high expense. 02:23 And it also gives the kids some soap 02:26 and ensuring some basic simple education. 02:31 I know we're in tough times, 02:33 but could you simply help in some small way? 02:36 Please go to our website, childimpact.org 02:40 or give us a call on a week day. 02:44 I know it's hurting us, but most of us will survive. 02:48 Could we please try and help these kids? 03:07 Child poverty is prevalent in Bangladesh, 03:10 particularly in rural areas. 03:13 Four in ten children 03:14 don't survive to the age of five. 03:18 Many children are underfed 03:20 and one in three face growth issues as a result. 03:23 In many secluded villages, 03:25 childbirth is not registered with the government 03:27 and children grow up 03:29 without any of the privileges of a citizen. 03:34 While education for children is mandated 03:35 by law enforcement is lacks and many children work instead. 03:42 Children in rural poverty, 03:44 especially unregistered ones are at greater risk 03:46 of human trafficking, forced labor, 03:49 prostitution, and early marriage. 03:53 With such dire circumstances many seek a way out. 03:57 A common trend in Bangladesh is higher education. 03:59 Which has grown in appeal 04:01 as the economy has become more globally connected. 04:04 The more students study, 04:06 the easier it becomes for them to get opportunities 04:08 and have independence. 04:10 The main problem with reaching higher education 04:12 is the requirement for speaking English. 04:15 A lot of books and advanced research 04:17 has been done in English and has become 04:19 more of the global standard. 04:21 The Bengali language doesn't have 04:23 the same vast amount of information 04:24 and therefore English has been pushed for being a main focus 04:27 and getting a more advanced education. 04:30 English is a big step for helping these students 04:33 to get to that next level. 04:35 English students seek to improve 04:36 their chances of getting a quality job, 04:38 which is difficult in the country 04:40 with almost 89% 04:41 being entirely in a formal employment, 04:43 which means they do not have fair 04:45 and regulated systems in place to make a sustainable income. 04:49 We talked to a teacher at KMMS, 04:51 who experienced firsthand the challenges of a childhood 04:54 of rural poverty, and how the lack of education 04:57 would likely guarantee these children 04:59 never get a good future. 05:02 My name is Lina Biswas. 05:04 I am one of the teacher of English medium. 05:08 And when I was standard six that time my father died. 05:12 So my mother had no work 05:16 and she could not run the family, 05:19 that's why I need sponsorship and because of sponsorship 05:24 I could finish my study. 05:26 Forced early marriage is prevalent in Bangladesh. 05:29 Two-thirds of girls married before the age of 18, 05:31 with many under 15. 05:34 That means education is essential for women 05:36 to gain independence from the alternative 05:39 of giving girls up for marriage. 05:41 With a country so poor, 05:43 there are barely any other alternatives. 05:45 Parents might have no choice due to lack of work 05:48 or lack of means to send their children 05:50 to get an education. 05:52 Mothers beg for their daughters to be taken in 05:54 and to get an education because in a country 05:56 with their culture, it's the only way to help them. 06:00 Education can help prevent such outcomes for young girls, 06:02 especially in a boarding school setting like that of KMMS. 06:07 I was 16 more... 06:10 Fourteen, fifteen years 06:12 my parents may gave me marriage. 06:15 And it was very difficult for me 06:18 to when is the family and early marriage 06:23 is what can happen to a child 06:25 and many problems may happen in my life. 06:29 So I came here and got study and got educated person. 06:35 And now I am working here as a teacher 06:39 and now I am teaching others also. 06:43 For Lina Biswas, 06:44 the opportunity was life changing, 06:46 as was the opportunity to learn English 06:48 which the school provided for her. 06:52 With her experience, she was determined 06:54 to help others get the same opportunity 06:56 she had and give the same opportunity to others. 07:00 It's hard knowing how many girls 07:01 might be given into forced marriages 07:03 and lose their childhood and reach their dreams. 07:06 When money determines your entire future, 07:09 it can feel hopeless when there's none to be found. 07:12 This is why Child Impact 07:14 put so much effort into sponsorship 07:16 and why KMMS is a pivotal focus for helping 07:19 change that hopeless future. 07:21 They do not just teach children, 07:23 they give hope and aim higher than just basic education. 07:27 English is the key difference. 07:29 This push allows students 07:30 to have the option to become a doctor or nurse. 07:33 It lets them get better jobs, 07:35 but also learn habits and principles 07:37 that can trickle through and impact multiple lives. 07:41 Yeah, it is very important to learn English 07:43 because wherever we are going, 07:46 we should speak in English 07:48 and it is our international language 07:51 and if we speak in English, 07:54 it is the standard for the students to learn. 07:59 Biswas is one of several English teachers at KMMS 08:02 and far from the only local to benefit 08:05 from knowing the language. 08:06 My name is Pastor Peter Ghoroza, 08:09 I teach English and other subjects. 08:13 There are some students who can write their own letter 08:17 like sponsorship letter, 08:19 they can do their own and they are encouraged 08:22 and that time we also help them 08:25 to make them understand that, 08:27 yes, if you can do yourself, your sponsor will be happy 08:31 and you will be also happy, 08:33 your friend will come to you to learn. 08:35 Sometimes teachers teaches you and explains, 08:39 but you don't understand, 08:40 but if you go to your friend, if he explains, 08:44 maybe you'll understand better. 08:47 English class they feel it is very hard subject. 08:52 It is not very easy thing to pronounce English word 08:58 and understand English language. 09:01 One student who does enjoy learning English 09:04 is 16 year old Sushmitha. 09:07 Nearly fluent in English Sushmitha came to KMMS 09:10 at a certain age. 09:13 Circumstances for her were very different then. 09:16 My family is not very rich. 09:20 This school is also our sponsor, 09:24 and they help me 09:27 to send me education fees. 09:31 That's why I can lead my study regularly. 09:36 With the skills that Sushmitha has gained 09:38 from her education here, 09:40 she has envisioned a future for herself 09:42 that otherwise would not be possible. 09:45 Sushmitha like many of the other children 09:47 attends KMMS through the help of a sponsor, 09:50 and could not do so without them. 09:54 Yes, I like to say 09:56 I can talk with him 10:01 and I also saw him. 10:04 Jim Rennie got to meet Sushmitha 10:05 on his recent visit and was really impressed 10:08 with how polite and intelligent she was. 10:10 While the young lady 10:11 that we're featuring today is Sushmitha 10:14 and she's a Child Impact sponsored child. 10:18 And Sushmitha can speak reasonably good English. 10:21 So today I'm actually going to do 10:24 an interview with a student. 10:25 So, Sushmitha, tell us how old are you? 10:29 I am 16 years old. 10:31 Sixteen years old. Okay. 10:34 And what class are you in? 10:36 I'm reading class 11. 10:38 Reading class 11. 10:40 So tell us about your family, 10:43 is your mother and father alive? 10:45 What does your mother and father do? 10:47 My father name is Deepak Poddar 10:50 and my mother name is Kalpana Poddar. 10:53 My father is a farmer and my mother is a housewife. 10:58 Okay. 10:59 And do you have any brothers or sisters? 11:03 I have two brothers. Right. 11:06 And how long have you been at the school? 11:09 Six years. 11:10 Six years? Wow. 11:12 And you like the school? Yes. I like the school so much. 11:16 What are your favorite classes? 11:18 What do you like? 11:19 My favorite class is mathematics. 11:21 Mathematics. Wow. 11:23 What would you like to say to your sponsor? 11:25 Do you wanna say thank you to your sponsor? 11:28 Yes, I am so proud for my sponsor. 11:33 And I also want to be here, in future 11:37 I also want to be a sponsor. 11:38 Wow! 11:40 Yeah, and I also help poor people 11:44 and I want to big thanks for my sponsor, 11:50 and also thanks all of you. 11:52 So here's a girl who wants and is helping poor people, 11:56 and is just so appreciative of a sponsor. 12:00 She's a hard worker, 12:01 you can see that she's a happy child. 12:04 She's been at the school for six years. 12:06 And this has had a big impact on her life. 12:09 She's learned to study mathematics, 12:11 can speak good English, 12:14 and Child Impacts is so proud of her. 12:17 And when we get home, 12:18 we're gonna introduce her sponsor to her, 12:21 and I'm sure her sponsor will be very pleased also. 12:25 So when you grow up, what do you want to be? 12:28 I want to be a nurse. A nurse? 12:31 Yes. Okay. 12:32 So when she grows up, she wants to be a nurse, 12:35 and a vast college here in Bangladesh 12:37 we have a nursing class, and hopefully 12:41 she'll be able to continue your sponsorship 12:44 and be a nurse. 12:45 It's just so exciting to meet young ladies like this. 12:50 They are given hope. 12:52 Quite often the female in the family 12:54 really doesn't get a future, 12:57 but here's a young lady that loves mathematics, 13:00 can speak English, and has a future in nursing. 13:03 So we're proud of you. 13:05 And we're very happy that we could feature you 13:08 on our television program today. 13:11 So thank you. Welcome. 13:13 You're most welcome. 13:15 Thanks to sponsorship. 13:17 Biswas leads an independent life 13:19 making a difference for young people 13:20 in situations like hers. 13:22 And Sushmitha faces a bright future 13:24 with her language skills. 13:26 Whether she chooses to be a nurse or a businesswoman, 13:29 she will be able to impact her country 13:32 and lead a better life than those who came before her. 13:36 When I come in the school, I have a sponsor, 13:41 so that, this sponsor... 13:46 this sponsor helped to study regularly. 13:51 And also I feel proud of him. 13:55 So I also thank him 13:59 to give this nice privilege. 14:07 I also give 14:11 my heartful love for him. |
Revised 2020-04-16