April 8, 2009
by

Reading Time: 2 minutes

MyBRAC Feature – Akhi, a WASH(Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Program) TeenagerWhen Akhi (right) was five years old, her village had no school and she wondered if she would ever receive an education. Since then, she has been able to take advantage of the opportunities BRAC has given her to become a well-rounded, educated young person. She attended a primary school that BRAC built in her village until she was ten. After finishing primary school, she joined BRAC’s adolescent development program, where twice a week she joins other girls to study, share stories, and learn from one another in a safe place.

MyBRAC Feature – Akhi, a WASH(Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Program) Teenager


When Akhi (right) was five years old, her village had no school and she wondered if she would ever receive an education. Since then, she has been able to take advantage of the opportunities BRAC has given her to become a well-rounded, educated young person. She attended a primary school that BRAC built in her village until she was ten. After finishing primary school, she joined BRAC’s adolescent development program, where twice a week she joins other girls to study, share stories, and learn from one another in a safe place.

Akhi is currently attending a public secondary school where BRAC runs a WASH program to encourage hygienic behavior. BRAC teaches students healthy habits and provides the school with resources to encourage a healthier way of life.


When Akhi first went to the school, students had to use a dirty, broken toilet, but this changed when BRAC started the WASH program. “Because of WASH,” says Akhi, “there is a new toilet in our common room and the toilet and hand pump are kept clean”

“My parents are now much more aware of sanitation issues and I have also talked with my neighbors,” she says, speaking of her success in spreading the message of WASH. “I explain the benefits of keeping clean.”


With a sly smile, the precocious teenager says “I’m pretty popular in my area, and I’m using that to make other people more aware.”

BRAC has been a part of Akhi’s life for more than eight years and promises to support her as she continues to pursue her dreams. She thanks BRAC for giving her opportunities to help others and increase her knowledge and empower herself. “If I ever get the chance to work for BRAC in the future, I will definitely do that,” she said. “It is important to make the people of our country more aware about cleanliness.”

You can learn much more about Akhi and many others at our beautiful new MyBRAC site, where you can see their photos, watch videos of them, and take a look at their bios.The project is the culmination of nine Duke students who travelled throughout Bangladesh in the summer of 2008, collecting interviews, videos, and photos of BRAC staff and members. The students were funded by DukeEngage, a Duke University program for undergrads who want to pursue intensive civic engagement experience anywhere in the world. A heartfelt thanks from the BRAC USA office to those who made this possible.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments