September 27, 2009

I called Rakib this morning and he was a bit upset. The banks in Dhaka would not release the money we sent him through Western Union. He has a customer ID card which was given to him by the bank manager in his village. Using the bank ID card he was able to obtain the money we sent him last month. When he tried to receive the money this month the bank manager told him that last month was a courtesy and he could not do it again. Rakib tried other banks, but none would release the funds. He told me the banks informed him that he needed a passport as ID. He said the passport would cost 5,000 taka ($75 U S) and it would take at least one month to get one. He asked me what he could do. I remembered that he had a half brother living in Dhaka. I asked him if I could cancel the Western Union I sent him and resend it in his brother’s name. He said his brother did not live far from the hostel and he was sure he would claim the money and give it to him. Rakib said it is 27 October and my Hostel payment is due 30 October. He said the Hostel manager is a “good man” and he was sure he would wait a few days for payment before he asked Rakib to leave.
Rakib stated that he did not feel well the past week. I think it was a combination of stress from not being able to claim the Western Union Money and lack of good nutrition due to fasting for Ramadan. Rakib also said he had to “starve” because some of the food at the hostel was not good quality. He said he used a little of the extra money we sent him to buy some “good food”. I asked if he could see a doctor. He said it was expensive to see a doctor, maybe 500 taka ($7.50 U S) for an exam and more if tests or x-rays were needed.
Rakib said that he found out that the Bangladesh military has a medical college. They have a height requirement though. 5’- 6”. Rakib said he is only 5’- 4”, and asked me if I knew what he could do to grow. I told him to try to eat a balanced diet. I know that this is probably not possible. It is unlikely that Rakib can afford to buy high protein foods necessary for body building.
I made this call short since I had to go to the Western Union agent and try to change how Rakib would receive the money we sent him for this months expenses.