J → Bangladesh » megna

[layali]

You can watch this video on www.livejournal.com

This is 11-year-old Keya's story. She's already experiencing the effects of climate change on her river island in Bangladesh. During the last flood, Keya's family spent over one month living on a raised platform the size of a double bed, whilst their home was under feet of water.

"There was so much water; it was up to our knees. We couldn't get out, even if we wanted to. Our parents wouldn't let us out - what if we fell in the water? My youngest brother was being naughty and fell down, but my mother found him. I don't feel good about the floods. I can't study, I can't play, I can't go to school. I just have to sit at home and stay idle."
[Dan Chung is one of my favourite photojournalists.]

You can watch this video on www.livejournal.com

The story of Hasina Begum, 35, a hardworking mother who is already experiencing the worst effects of climate change on Char Atra, a river island in Bangladesh.

"The flood takes place more now in comparison to before. In the past, the flood used to come later in the year, now the flood comes in earlier and faster. When it comes, the water leaves much later on. It destroys the crops, jute, everything is destroyed by the flood. Nothing stays - the trees that I plant, the seedlings that we sow. The water comes in again and destroys it all. Finished. They don't grow any more."

You can watch this video on www.livejournal.com

I also love how the sun's light falls in Bangladesh. It's completely different to Britain's - warm, nurturing, wholesome, tender, and caring. It warms your bones, makes your soul feel free, and makes you feel like you're not alone in the world, that you're part of it and not watching. No matter how under-developed and "primitive" Bangladesh may be, it's people, and most of all it's scenery, will always stir my heart. My favourite memories will always be driving through the small towns and villages and watching the scenery and the scenes from life as we drove past. I'll always remember the expansive skylines and watching the golden-pink sunsets, and waking up with the morning chill before sunrise.

It's a shame that Bangladesh is not on the travellers maps. Many travel through India, China, Burma, and Nepal, but Bangladesh seems to be a black-spot. Sometimes, when people ask me where I'm from, I just reply with "I'm from India".

PS. Vimeo & DM, not YouTube, are where it's at.