April 15, 2010

Rakib signaled me this morning that he wanted to talk to me. He calls me and lets the phone ring just a few times and then hangs up before my voice mail picks up. When I see his name on the called ID I don’t pickup. I call him back so he does not have to spend his money to call me.
Rakib asked why I did not call him last Sunday. I told him I tried to call many times, but I could not get through. I sometimes have a problem getting a telephone connection.
Rakib wanted to share some good news with us. He passes his exam in anatomy. He got 26.5 marks out of a possible 40. He placed seventh in his class. Rakib said some of the medical students from Nepal did very well on the exam. Some of them had earned 28.5 – 30 marks. Rakib said in Nepal they start to learn English at an early age and he feels this gives the Nepali an advantage.
Rakib informed me that yesterday was New Years day in Bangladesh, but since the day fell on a government holiday they will celebrate it next Sunday. There will be a lot of song and dance at the celebration.
There will be a celebration at the Dhaka Medical College campus for the students. Rakib is looking forward to a day of relaxation and recreation. He reminded me that if he had a digital camera he would be able to email photos of the event to us. He will ask one of his friends to put some photos on a pen drive so he can send them to us the next time he goes to the internet café’.
Rakib reminded me about his need for a fan and rechargeable light. I told him I would continue to try to find the funds for him to use to buy them.
I asked Rakib if he would have a summer recess to get a break from the heat. He said “no, the students will not get a break until next summer, after the first practical exam”. After the first practical exam they will get two to three weeks off before class starts again.
Rakib said he had used a little of his free time to read the book he bought about cultures and customs around the world. He very much enjoys learning about the subject.
I told Rakib that I had been informed of the amount of money that was raised at the Cub Scout Pack 1776 fundraiser they did at there pinewood derby, and from the special offering collected at Scout Sunday. I let him know that $330 was collected by the Cub Scouts and another $781 was collected at Scout Sunday. A total of 75,548 taka, enough to pay for four months of his medical college expenses.
When Rakib replied I could tell that there was a lump in his throat and with much emotion in his voice he said “I am very grateful for all the Scouts have done for me, please give my love to them”. Rakib went on to say he would like to send a letter to the Cub Scouts and the Church to thank them for their help. He said he was afraid he will make a mistake and say something wrong. I assured him that if he wrote letters that came from the heart, like the one he gave me to read to the scouts when I returned home from Bangladesh, it would be fine. He asked me if I would review them before I sent them on to the Scouts and Church. I assured him I would proof read them and advise him of any mistakes.
Each time I talk to Rakib I notice that his English is getting better. I would like to have the Scouts talk to Rakib directly sometime soon. Thursday night meetings work well for a phone call to Bangladesh. On Thursday night it is Friday morning in Bangladesh, Rakib’s day off.
Rakib asked me to give his love, and Gods blessings to the scouts and my family. I assured him that I would.