I was in Comilla with RELIEF International, working with the students and with the teachers of that area.

On this particular day we had set off to see a WWII memorial close to the city where troops from all around the world, including the U.S., had been laid to rest.

All of the sudden, the staff stopped the car and told us that a Hindu temple was having a celebration and asked if we wanted to see it. Mr. T and I looked at one another and in unison said, "YES, we are soooooo there!!!!"

The temple was very pretty, and it was interesting. In Hindu they believe in many gods. But, in this particular temple, they believe in "One" god not several. The song that you hear as you watch the video is a chant saying "One God."

In Bangladesh there are many religions, but they are all very accepting of each other and their differences. It has been very interesting to see these people interact with one another and see no difference whatsoever.

Food in Bangladesh

Here you can see a typical meal in Bangladesh. It is full of rice, vegetables, spices, and meat, everything a growing boy needs (well, I don't really need it, but it sure does taste good).

It is common to eat lots of rice and vegetables. They are abundant, and they are cheaper than most meat. One of the reasons that people in Bangladesh eat so much rice is because it is cheap and it grows fast. They can harvest their crops about three times a year. To give you an idea how good that is in Kansas, Farmers are lucky to have one good harvest a year. (That is some good land!)

In Bangldesh they also use many spices in their foods, and they also like it HOT! They will put lots of chilis into their food to give it flavor. It's just like Mexican food, nice and spicy!

Because so many of you had questions about eating with your right hand I thought that I would show you how it is done.

This is a tradition and a custom that has not gone out of style. This is not unlike us as Americans eating with only our right hand. If you do not believe me, take a look next time you see an American eat. Watch that they will cut meat with their right hand and then switch the knife and fork in order to eat. In Europe they do not do this. The fork stays in the left hand, and the knife is always in the right (when it is being used).

Welcome to Bangladesh!

This is a short but sweet introduction to Bangladesh. Take a look at the view from atop the Bon Vivant hotel in Dhaka.

What have we learned about Bangladesh so far?

Ms. Bennett's language arts students were asked to reflect on what they have learned about Bangladesh over the past week. Here are some of their answers:

Jorge Soto: "I’ve learned that in Bangladesh they eat different things. I’ve learned that in Bangladesh they wear different clothes than what we do. I’ve learned that they have school like we do. They have to eat with their right hand."
Abel Olivarez: "I learned that you have to wear special clothing for men and women. They have to eat with the right hand. They have their own language."
Carl Goines: "I learned that you eat only with your right hand. I learned that you can’t use your left to eat. I learned that the kids there learn to speak our language. "
Jorge Lopez: "I have been learning a lot about Bangladesh. One thing I learned is that they eat with their hand. They don’t just eat with any hand, it has to be the right hand."
Jesus Alvarez: "I learned that Bangladesh has received 2 special teachers, Mr. Dunn from Wichita, KS and the other man from IL. I wish them both good luck. Also, I’ve learned that in Bangladesh their beliefs are different from ours. "
Ayme Bustillos: "I am learning how they dress and some of the food they eat. I learned that they eat with their hands, but only the right hand. I’ve learned what the hour is there (If it is midnight there we are barely at school here)."
Laura Huerta: "I am learning that Bangladesh has many different things than the United States. In Bangladesh, they have to wear different clothes. They have to eat with their right hands. There’s just many things."
Randy Guiterrez: "I have learned that they eat with their fingers and they dress differently. The roads are really crowded. They walk almost everyday."
Marco Mandujano: "Well I learned that in Bangladesh they eat with their right hand. And the country is poor. That they have to wear different clothes than us in the U.S.A. There are two religions, Islam and Hindu. They are the most popular. They eat vegetables and seafood."
Blake Payne: "Well one thing I’m learning about Bangladesh is they dress differently. They eat different foods. It is bad to eat with your left hand. They eat with their right hand. They have some electricity."
Itssel Berumen: "I’m learning a lot of new things, like how they dress differently and they have different food. They have different beliefs."
Juliana Vela: "I’ve learned about their clothes. I’ve learned what they eat. I have learned a lot of things and I still need to learn more."
Sandra Paz: "Well, some things that I’m learning is about their culture, the way they dress, what they eat, and how they live over there. But it does look pretty cool. Sometimes it makes me want to visit their someday."
Jennifer Hernandez: "I learned that in Bangladesh that they drive on the left side of the road. They eat with their right hand. In Bangladesh they dress a bit different from us in the United States. They eat a lot of rice, fish, and vegetables. The girls use color, and they are very colorful."

Kansas and Illinois Teachers arrived in Bangladesh on exchange program

Mr. Joseph Dunn, 7th grade social studies teacher at John Marshall Middle School, Wichita, KS and Mr. Bill Theobald, classroom teacher at Waterloo Junior High School, IL arrived on 16 February 2009 in Bangladesh to participate in a two week long Teacher Exchange Program implemented by Relief International-Schools Online and sponsored by the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State.

During this exchange visit the teachers will be visiting several Internets Learning Centers (ILC) established by RI-SOL as part of the Global Connections and Exchange Program, an ECA supported program that promotes use and integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for cross cultural dialogue and collaboration. They will visit Internet Learning Centers at Uttar Badda Islamia Kamil Madrasha in Dhaka, Sirajuddin Sarker School in Gazipur, Chowara Girls High School and Yusuf Multipurpose High School in Comilla. They will also visit several institutions namely the Institute of Education and Research in Dhaka University, DemocracyWatch, informal education school for underprivileged children run by Dhaka Ahsania Mission and a school for street children run by Ekmatra- a charity organization in Mirpur. The teachers will be organizing a video conference between students and teachers in Bangladesh and in USA, Italy and Spain. They will be speaking about use of technology in everyday class room teaching and learning in the USA at a GCE Youth Camp to be organized simultaneously with the Exchange Program.

http://www.connect-bangladesh.org/content/view/587/101/

Where is Mr. Dunn?

Today was amazing!

The organizaiton of RELIEF International Schools Online is truly doing an amazing job in Bangladesh. They are bringing 21st century technology and skills into places where it is desperately needed.

We are in the city of Comilla. It is a smaller city, but it still has an amazing amount of activities and energy.

We visited a historical site where we saw the remains of a Bhudist temple that was built in the 7th century. Bangladesh has had many influences and many religions, and people have occupied its land. Today more than half of the country is Muslim, but they also have Hindu and other religions represented.

I think that because of their past and having all of these influences, that is why they are so accepting of other people and differences. In many ways, Bangldesh is more accepting of others than even many of the more "modern" countries.

Today we visited many schools where we were meet with arms open and young people (many of whom are just like you and I) excited to learn and share what they know with you.


In the afternoon we went to a girls' school, and they performed for us some traditional song and dances.


Let me just say that it was amazing! These girls had worked very hard to put on this program for us. They were also dressed in traditional dress, and as you can see in the picture, they looked very nice.


(I am in a Lungi. This is a true Bangladesh custom for the men to wear one. It is a wrap that goes aroud your waist and covers your legs. It is sooooo comfertable)

Thursday's Questions for Mr. Dunn

Ms. Bennett's 1st/2nd hour language arts class would like to add the following questions:

11. What is the coolest thing you have seen so far? (Abel)
I don't think that there is just one thing that has been cool. I have enjoyed everything! Just being in the country with the people is enough for me.
12. What are you eating in the picture? (Carl)
HA! I am eating some rice and some fish. If you look behind me, you can see a plate with some brownish looking food on it. That is some fish covered in a wonderful sauce.
13. Have you learned to speak their language? (Nick & Adrian)
Ummmm, No! Bangoli is a very hard language, and it has over 46 different letters. Several different letters (like our S) have over 4 different sounds that they make. I have picked up on some words, but they are very basic.
14. Are you enjoying your stay? (Alejandra)
I am enjoying every moment that I can. This is a wonderful opportunity, and I want to make it the best for you and for me. I hope that one day you (pointing at the whole class) can come and see for yourself these amazing places.
15. Where are you staying? (Abel)
We are staying in hotels. They are very nice, but I wanted to stay with families. I do enjoy having some space to myself, but there is no replacement for family life.

Ms. Bennett's 6th/7th hour language arts class has the following questions:

16. Are you going to bring any money back to show us? (Israel)
Sure, I will bring back some money to show you.
17. Do you feel intimidated by the people there? (Elijah)
I do not feel intimidated. If you have not noticed, I stick out like a sore thumb. All of the people here are very nice and have been nothing but respectful of me and the other teacher. The Bangoli people are very VERY nice, and they take care of visitors and accept them from the beginning.
18. Is life harder over there than here? (Jesus Alvarez)
I think that what you mean is "are they poor?" The country of Bangladesh has many people. They also have rich and poor people, just like any place. They have a very small upper class and a small middle class. Many of the people in Bangladesh are lower middle class and below. That means that they have to work very hard for not a lot of money.
19. What jobs do the people have there? (Raqauwn)
All kinds. In the city you will find people working in every job available. It is common to have people that work in factories. Many factories are in Asian countries because they can pay the workers less, and they will work longer hours than in other countries. (I think this is a very bad practice).
20. Do you miss me? (Yuliana and the rest of the class)
I DO!!!!! But let me just remind you that while I am gone, I am asking the other teachers how you are doing, and they tell me that you have not been as good for the substitue as you should.
PLEASE!!!! You guys, I am trying to make this a fun experince for you and the last thing that I want to do when I get back is have to talk to you about how you are being for the sub. Respect him, and do the work he has for you. I will be back soon, and I will tell you all about my trips and adventures.
21. Are you working while you are there? (Adam)
Yes! I have many things that I am helping with here, and I am also working with teachers and students in Bangladesh.
22. What is their music like? (Marco)
The music is different from what you are used to, but I like it. I will try and bring back more examples of music that they listen to and some traditional music.
23. Have you made any friends over there? (Jesus Alvarez)
Yes, I have made friends. The people are wonderful, and they all treat me like a friend. I find that when you travel and are in a diffrent place, most people will be very open to you and help you with anything. I will miss the friends that I have made when I go home.
24. Are there any hispanics living there? (Jose)
Because of the location (and the amount of people), I have not meet any hispanics. That does not mean that they do not live in Bangladesh. The population of Bangladesh is in the millions, and I am sure that there are some hispanics living and working in Bangladesh. If you look at the location, Bangladesh is on the other side of the world. I did get to go the the biggest university in Dhaka, and in the language department they teach Spanish as one of the languages.