by Arisa Mohiuddin

Carrying a mixture of curiosity and excitement me & my mother ascended 6 floors to visit the Adhunika Women’s Centre in Azimpur, Dhaka. After instructing my first English lesson through their skype program in March (one of the many services provided by the Adhunika Foundation to Bangladeshi women, along with technological studies), I was more than intrigued by their enthusiastic students and helpful staff. Undoubtedly I was ecstatic when offered the opportunity to visit the Centre and meet some of the inspiring young ladies I had taught. 

Arisa Mohiuddin listening to the inspiring young ladies she had taught through Skype Session earlier this year. Photo: Shahnaz S. Yousuf

When we reached the office we were greeted by a series of smiles from students and faculty, making us feel welcome in what we could already feel was a positive environment. We proceeded to walk down a small corridor of rooms including an office, two classrooms with computers and boards as well as an interactive learning space where a group of avid participants gathered to meet their visitors, who I can tell were just as excited to meet them. It took something as simple as the layout of the space to help understand the pro-activity  of the Centre and the overall driven and encouraging nature of the Adhunika program. After speaking with the girls on a variety of interesting topics ranging from the strengths and weaknesses of the program to the everyday struggles these Bangladeshi women face, we got the opportunity to watch the screening of an amazingly done play by the Adhunika Jr. Team. The play highlighted  some of the obstacles that the women of Adhunika tackle in their everyday lives. We were all inspired to take action and do the best we could to change the underlying oppressive behavior often seen in our culture, starting with utilizing to the fullest the effective communication tools that Adhunika provides.

Skype students speaking on a variety of interesting topics ranging from the strengths and weaknesses of the program to the everyday struggles these Bangladeshi women face, Photo: Shahnaz S. Yousuf

It was inspiring to see that opinions on how to better the program and how to keep one’s self-motivated, was welcomed from a diverse age group including a wise and aspiring 10 year old who had traveled from the U.S. to visit the Centre. We were also given the opportunity to visit a computer class and ask the teacher and the students some questions on their experience. Their feedback proved the transparency of the program, showing that not only are the instructors supportive and effective in their teaching, but also that the students are eager to learn and make the best of the classes they take. 

Adhunika Jr. Team visits Adhunika Women’s Centre, at Azimpur, Dhaka Bangladesh. Photo: Biddut

We learnt through our journey, that Adhunika plans to continue helping women in their paths to success, providing technology lessons, reading material, as well as discussions and debates in English that will relate to their everyday lives. The topics can range from the work they do inside and outside of home (like what they cook and eat or what their peers and coworkers discuss) to the gender discrimination they face (like being given less educational priority because they are girls).

Screening of ‘Friday Night Skype Session’ by Team Adhunika Jr. Photo: Shahnaz S. Yousuf

Probha Hasan presenting the drawing ‘Adhunika Classroom’ to the staff of Adhunika Women’s Centre. Photo – Shahnaz S. Yousuf

When our visit came to its conclusion we said our goodbyes, and descended 6 floors, this time carrying hope, a feeling of achievement, and two sweet treats courtesy of the moving and inspiriting Adhunika family.

About Arisa Mohiuddin:  She is 16 years old Grade 12 senior attending High School in Toronto, Canada. She is an Honor Roll student & while maintaining her grades she also enjoys working for & giving back to her community by doing a multitude of extracurricular activities. She is the youngest Skype Instructor of Adhunika Foundation.