Rumi adds, “I first heard of coronavirus from television and tried to learn more about it from World Vision. “We also messaged thousand people against drug abuse.” We withdrew 20 children from child labor and brought them back to school again,” says Rumi. “Having strong coordination with the local urban neighborhood development committee, we stopped the marriage of four girls who were between 14 to 15 years old. The Chader Alo Child Forum is making an impact in many ways. Rumi and her peers gathered and provided community information to World Vision and other NGOs, including BRAC (Building Resources Across Communities) and Red Crescent to better inform the development efforts. This sponsorship program opened the door for Rumi to attend awareness sessions, life-skills education and rights-based orientations organized by World Vision. Rumi’s younger brother is a sponsored child of World Vision.

She completed high school this year and now disseminates life-saving messages to communities through the Chader Alo (“moonlight”) Child Forum mobilized and inspired by World Vision’s Area Program in Barishal City. My school and life have greatly changed…now I spend my days at home to stay safe from the coronavirus contamination. “I mostly invest my time helping my parents in household chores, playing with my younger brother and messaging my community with my peers. Meet Rumi, a 16-year-old who lives in a slum with her parents and brother Rummon (9) in southern Bangladesh. In one community in Bangladesh, a Hidden Hero has emerged to help slow the spread. The impact of COVID-19 has changed the entire world.

Yasin rumi