Rob Halligan: Vivid memories of the singer songwriter's trip to Bangladesh

Sunday 18th October 2009

Songsmith ROB HALLIGAN journeys from his Midlands comfort zone to learn a little of life, and mission, in Bangladesh



Continued from page 6

Breakfast was good and the minibus that would take us to Dhaka was waiting for us by 7:30. It was Eid, the end of Ramadan, and the streets were relatively quiet as the Muslim community celebrated. This was great for driving but not so good when we arrived at the ferry to take us across the Padma and found no one there to sail it. As the queue of buses and mini vans grew we heard conflicting reports as to how long it would be.

What was amazing was seeing an ambulance waiting with the rest of us. In the back was a badly injured man who could be seen through the only slightly frosted windows. Inside the ambulance looked dirty and the equipment basic. When the boat finally lurched into life other drivers were oblivious to the ambulance's lights and pushed their way on board. On board I talked to our driver Mustaf. He lived in Khulna and worked for the company who owned the minibus. He's done this for nine years and the six hour journey from Khulna to Dhaka is one he does regularly. I asked if he'd stay in Dhaka for the night but he likes his own bed too much for that.

We arrived in Dhaka at 2:00pm and went straight to a hostel run by Friends Of Bangladesh and Jane Willard, Faith Willard's niece. The hostel provides accommodation for girls who come to Dhaka to go to university or find work. Although it's a Christian hostel girls from Muslim and Hindu backgrounds stay at the hostel and are part of the family life. Home Of Joy and the Hostel are closely linked and on the ground floor were a couple of guys who grew up in Khulna with Faith. They came there to find work but also to work within different communities in the city for the Gospel.

Friends Of Bangladesh also run various clinics and have had positive contact with the Bangladesh government regarding their work in the country - something unusual for a Christian organisation in a predominantly Muslim society. My brain by then was suffering from information overload so I was happy to head off to find our hotel, the Asia Pacific.

Poverty in Bangladesh is impossible to hide. Beggars sit in the middle of the street or tap on your car window when you stop in traffic. It was quite a shocking site and again I was struck with the immensity of the problem of poverty. But the people of this country are a beautiful people and against the backdrop of grey buildings and muddy roads, the amazing colours of the painted rickshaws, trucks and the clothes bring a spark of joy everywhere.

Our hotel was in the diplomatic area of the city. We passed armed guards and drove down what looked like back streets and there it was. It didn't look promising from the outside but as soon as we were in the lobby our hopes rose. In my room was internet access, a bath and a mini-bar. It was another incredible contrast in a land that specialises in contrasts. We had half an hour to drop our bags in our rooms and wash up before we were off again to John Bose's apartment.

Rita and John's mother cooked us an incredible dinner and Stu decided to eat in the true Bengali way with his fingers. He picked up a potato and it slipped through his fingers, into my lap and ended up on the floor.

The Boses are a lovely family and John is a very devoted man. We were looked after so well by them and although we were looking forward to heading home the next day, it was sad to say goodbye. John and I went through the photos of the boys on my lap-top, putting names to the faces and I realised that this was what it was about. These kids come from the lowest of the Hindu casts, the "shoe-makers" or untouchables. This was all about levelling the field. They are children and have names just like any other child anywhere. Diamonds in the rough. CR

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.
About Rob Halligan
Rob HalliganRob Halligan is a professional singer/songwriter who has recorded numerous CDs, toured extensively and lives in Coventry.


 
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