Known in Bangladesh for its emphasis on education, the Seventh-day Adventist church in Dhaka recently moved outside the classroom to offer education for an often-overlooked population. Leaders from three departments in the Bangladesh Adventist Union Mission (BAUM) provided a health program called “Workshop & Seminar for Better Life” for the guardians, or caregivers, and parents of the largest Adventist school in Dhaka.
Most students from the Dhaka Adventist Pre-Seminary (DAPS) are Muslim with a much smaller percentage of Hindu and other religions represented. The guardians, who are usually Muslim as well, accompany students to the school and then wait for them until classes end for the day. DAPS leaders have looked for ways to provide enrichment for these ladies and the students’ parents.
In conjunction with the BAUM Health Children’s and Women’s Ministries Departments, DAPS hosted two sessions for guardians and parents, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, on February 1. A total of more than 250 attended.
During the sessions, Litton S. Halder, BAUM Communication Director, emphasized the importance of health for all. Mahuya Roy, Women’s Ministries director, shared about the opportunities and responsibilities of women. Attendees earned prizes for their correct answers to Roy’s questions which made the audience very attentive. Young Moon Lee, BAUM Women’s Ministries director, explained the benefits of a vegetarian diet and demonstrated how to make kimchi. Her session was very popular with the guardians since this Korean salad/condiment can be easily made with inexpensive, local ingredients. They also enjoyed the samples and took samples home to share with their employers, family members and relatives.
In terms of follow-up plans, Roy will offer this type of seminar format in different schools, missions and institutions. Interestingly, the guardians wanted to take photos with Mrs. Lee and “asked her to do these types of programs as often as possible,” according to Halder.
“All the parents and guardians appreciated and enjoyed our programs very much. Some of them have invited us to conduct these types of programs in their own schools and institutions,” said Halder. “We had a very good time of sharing our health, family and children ministry messages to our Muslim, Hindu, and Christian friends as well as people from other religions,” he added.
Bangladesh is home to more than 30,000 members in over 120 churches with more than 170 rural schools, 10 urban schools, and nine boarding schools in the predominantly Muslim country. It is one of the 14 countries in the Southern Asia-Pacific Division territory.
[Teresa Costello with additional reporting by Litton S. Halder]