Bangladesh

Sharid Khan, ’07, attended Kennewick High School in Kennewick, Washington, during his YES program year. He is currently enrolled in a pre-university preparatory program at Taylor’s University College in Malaysia. He hopes to eventually pursue a career in medicine. Below he shares an update on the Bangladesh Chapter’s recent blood drive.

A blood donation program was jointly organized by the alumni and the Bangladesh Education and Resource Network (bEARN) commemorating the celebration of World Kindness Week. The blood donation took place at the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, Mohammadpur, Dhaka on November 16th. The World Kindness Movement grew out of a series of Kindness Conferences convened by the Japanese Small Kindness Movement, which began over a decade ago in Tokyo. The purpose of the movement was to spread the growth of kindness around the world. This quickly escalated to the recognition of the urgency for celebrating, promoting and acknowledging kindness as a central component of every human culture. This year’s World Kindness Week was observed during the week of November 12-18th. The alumni chose to celebrate by giving blood to help save lives through the International Red Crescent. After all, the greatest act of kindness is to save a life.

Mr. Golam R. Hiru, Executive Director of bEARN and Mr. H.B. Golandaz, Program Manager, bEARN helped to organize the event in conjunction with the alumni. Two YES alumni members donated blood, Masaba Khan `06 and Shahrid Khan `07. Both young men were extremely nervous as they had no prior experience giving blood. They also had preconceived ideas that donating blood would leave their bodies weak and vulnerable to disease. After a discussion with the Red Crescent that this would not be the case, both teens were excited to give blood. “I was really frightened before donating blood,” Masaba said. Now I realize that my blood will help at least one person in need so it’s important to overcome my fears”. Shahrid agreed with Masaba’s views. “I was so afraid I would faint during the donation but luckily this did not happen. Now I feel relaxed about the idea of giving blood and I have the courage to do so again in the future.” After the donation was complete, Masaba and Shahrid enjoyed some treats including cakes, bananas and soft drinks with the other alumni. Both Masaba and Shahrid encouraged their fellow alumni to give blood in the future. Alumni can donate blood to the Red Crescent or Red Cross in their countries if they are over the age of 18, in good health, have low blood pressure, and normal weight.