2008 has been really busy, if you've noticed my blog entries becoming increasingly scarce! MCC has 3 programs in Bangladesh, one is agriculture research and extension, where I have primarily been working up until this year, one is Health and Education which supports children in schools, orphanages,... and Job Creation, which works with organizations that develop the kinds of products you see in 10,000 Villages (you do shop there, right?!). This year we have been working with a local NGO that serves to promote the human rights, health, and safety of floating (street or hotel based as opposed to brothel based) sex workers to identify women who wish to leave sex work to make fair trade products. There was a lot of interest, but we had to narrow our initial selection to 26. Well, we said 20, but when it came down to it, couldn't exclude those last few! They are now coming daily for training in everything from life skills, to communication, to leadership, to literacy, to math, and I'm working on their English. You should hear them sing "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" and "The Hokey Pokey", the pain life has given them disipates and they sing their new English words with reckless abandon. We had a new life celebration for them last week which was really special. For the past five days I was away with other programs, so coming back today, I was amazed at the change I saw. Back when I came for the final interviews in May, while their features were attractive, there was a deadness in their eyes, even the young ones, that was alarming. I walked in today on a group of women that can play with abandon like children, who have smiles rather than tragedy in their eyes, who are lovely, giving women so enthusiastic to make the most of an opportunity that they have, that so many need.
In Bangladesh, there is so much poverty, and in spite of the facade of religious fervour, Bangladeshi sex workers are the busiest in the world. At the same time, they are completely shunned by society. For those whose families are aware they lived that life, even if they were kidnapped or sold into it, they can never go back home. And it's a life no one enters willingly. I have yet to find someone in Bangladesh who chose this profession... everyone I have met has a story of a father dying, a husband leaving, being raped, being manipulated, being coerced, or living in debilitating poverty. In Bangladesh, such a woman is "spoiled" and no redemption is available. Of course, we disagree!
These women will work with an enterprise MCC is developing which will produce soap. I'll keep you posted on their continued transformation and eventual production! It's not an easy road... Please keep them in your prayers!
