NZ teens return from Bangladesh - their lives changed

It was the trip of a lifetime for three Kiwi teenagers – a week in the crowded country of Bangladesh, a reward for the hard work they put into New Zealand’s 40 Hour Famine this year.

The three seventh formers, Simon Taylor from Rosmini College, North Shore, Delia Smith from Mahurangi College, and Hannah Welch from Huntly College returned recently from their trip to Bangladesh with a new appreciation of how people their own age live and cope in a developing country.

“Horrifying and heartbreaking” was how Simon Taylor described some of the sights he saw. However, the highlight of the trip for him, and the others, was visiting the Dhaka Street Children’s Centre, which World Vision has set up for children at risk.

“They put on a brilliant performance of dancing and drama and it was just so humbling to see smiles on their faces knowing the sort of background they have come from. What was heartbreaking was when they got changed back into their rags and just seeing their faces full of hurt and sadness going back into that nasty world of theirs trying to survive the harshness of life.”

However, Simon had a chance at the end to chat with four boys who stayed behind.

“I gave them each a kiwi souvenir which they loved, and taught them high-fives, and although we couldn’t understand each other’s language I had a great time knowing I was putting a temporary smile to their faces. They loved the attention and hugs and stuff, knowing that somebody cared.”

The three scholars found a project of their own to support while in Dhaka. One child, Mafuj, had been electrocuted when he was younger and had lost use of his right hand. “He only needs US$200 to have an operation to fix this, and we’ve committed to raising the money for him,” says Simon. “He’s a bright kid with so much potential, and we’re all going to be asking our friends and other school kids to help with this.”