Plight of Bangladeshi girls prompts Christchurch fundraiser

11 August 2003

An evening to raise funds for the poor and orphaned girls of Cox’s Bazaar, Bangladesh is being held at Our City O-Tautahi, the Chamber, cnr Oxford Tce and Worcester Blvd on Wednesday 13 August, starting at 5.30pm.

The event is being organised by Education Bangladesh NZ (Inc) to help fund educational opportunities for the girls in remote southern Bangladesh through a Girls’ Training Institute. “For many poor girls in this part of Bangladesh, the Institute is their only hope of an education and decent future,” said Sue McFarlane, Christchurch City Council International Relations co-ordinator.

The Institute supports 170 girls but would like to be able to help more and build a school. To do this they need financial support.”

Hazera, one of the girls, has recently been brought to Christchurch to study for about 12 months, via a scholarship given by Burnside High School.

The programme director of the Girls’ Training Institute, Willy Lengendre is in Christchurch to help Hazera to settle at school. A group of locals has set up a trust and during his time here is helping him to raise funds for the Institute.

On Wednesday evening at Our City O-Tautahi, Mr Lengendre will speak about the project and there will be a silent auction of artworks by the girls of Cox’s Bazaar. Photographs of the girls and their surroundings will also be displayed.

“Mr Lengendre who lives and works with the people of Southern Bangladesh is a truly inspirational person, who has touched the hearts of many Christchurch people through his devotion to the Institute,” Ms McFarlane said.

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