Hidden Hero | Ep 08 | Ekhlas is the Robin Hood of Muktagacha
World Vision Bangladesh and The Daily Star jointly present to you "Hidden Hero" - a video series where we portray real stories of ordinary people with extraordinary impact during this global pandemic.
In the Eighth and final Episode, we look into the life of Md. Ekhlas Uddin, a young man who has taken the initiatives for the first time to feed the hungry while nobody at his community lent a helping hand. "At the beginning stage of the COVID-19 outbreak, Government and Non-Government organizations were still preparing to respond. But due to lockdown poor people lost their means of earning, and families started to suffer in extreme hunger," says Ekhlas. He continues, "I thought I should not wait any longer. I must not depend on the support of the Government and NGOs only. We should also do something by ourselves." With this thought, he sat with the elders of his community. He says, "I shared my thoughts with the elders of my community. After discussion, they agreed with my proposal and fully supported me to go ahead."
Ekhlas went at the door of all rich people and collected wheat flowers. After that, he distributed those to the 15 neediest people of his community. He also contacted the Upazila Parishad Member and facilitated to include 25 most vulnerable people in the Rice Distribution list. Finally, he collected 125 kg of rice and distributed all among the 25 listed members. To bring a smile to the vulnerable people during this Eid-ul-Fitr, he collected vermicelli, sugar, and BDT 800 from the rich people and distributed among 12 vulnerable people. Besides, he supported more than 60 people by Cash, Food, and Clothing. Ekhlas visited door to door of all 50 UPG family to share awareness message on COVID-19. During his visit, he has also demonstrated the hand-washing process over to 150 people of Suhila and Berulia Village.
Robin Hood was famous for taking riches from the wealthy and giving it to the ones in need. Ekhlas is also a Robin Hood of some sort, as he reached out to the influential circle of his society and share some of their wealth with the ones in poverty and despair. Ekhlas says, "Out of social responsibility I decided to help my poor neighbors. I come from a similar socio-economic background, so I know the pain of hunger. Hence I don't want to see any tear for hunger at my next doors." To us, he is the true embodiment of a Hidden Hero - an ordinary person who has risen to make an extraordinary contribution, empowered by the proven experience of World Vision.
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