With A Heart of Gold
Quazi Nawshaba Ahmed is a popular Bangladesh actress- known and admired dearly by her fans for her spunky attitude, superb acting prowess, and friendly attitude. She has done many a notable role to secure permanent places in the audiences' hearts.
But there is a side of Nawshaba that many have yet, unfortunately, not witnessed-- that of a socially conscious mind and heart, that of a simple girl with big dreams for her country, that of a mother.
"When I was young, my father would take me to many different places to meet people of all kinds- from all walks of life, from all backgrounds. I had a soft spot for people, especially children since then," says Nawshaba. While she worked at Sisimpur with children with autism, her longing to work with children increased ever more. "Since then, I don't know if you would call it 'activism', but was determined to be socially conscious. I need to ensure a good life for others. Because my number one question is- eka bhalo theke ki laabh (what is the point of living well alone)? Shobai ke niye bhalo thakte hobe (we all must try to live well together)."
Nawshaba had never planned on becoming an actor, but she never planned on stopping working with children, helping them realise their dreams, helping them grow a pair of wings. "I have a group of underprivileged children living with me. We call ourselves the 'hibijibi dol'. We all live in my house as a family. I help them to do their work, their studies, I help them plan a future, and until they are off to achieve their dreams, they have my home as theirs. There were many children staying, most of them have gone off to secure the future they had planned with me, two are still here. We all get together on Eid and other occasions and spend time together, planting trees or sharing a laugh."
Recently, Nawshaba heard of a 'Sponsor a Child' campaign and she wanted to take part. "But I was very uncomfortable with the fact that I have to 'choose' a child. How does one choose a child? How is it even possible? When you know for a fact that all these children need your help, how do you choose one?"
She found Upen Devi, who does not have a mother. A mother of a child, Nawshaba says, "I think it was my motherhood that pulled me towards her. But I could not be a parent, even a sponsor parent, without making her feel like I'm her parent. I had to go see her, I had to learn about her, learn her dreams, her hopes. So I travelled to the hill tracts to meet her."
"After going there, it hit me harder. While I was acquainting myself with Devi, I saw so many other eyes, thirsty for love and care, looking at us. Every time I go to visit Devi, whether to celebrate her birthday or to deliver some new books to her- I see them all, I feel for them all."
To at least help the other children's' dreams come true, Nawshaba created a video for JAAGO to raise awareness, where she talks about the importance of these children's dreams and their education. She inspired her friends, one of who is famous director Khijir Hayat Khan, to come and sponsor children.
"I believe just sending them money is not enough. If we really want to help, we have to do it with heart. There are children there who dream of becoming pilots, doctors, engineers; it is our job to help them on their paths. Devi wants to grow up to be a nurse, so I send her books on nursing. I was the first parent who actually went and visited! Others should come forward too. The more the sponsors, the higher the rate of literacy amongst such a beautiful people. My video was made in haste, it was made with no real production value- but it was done with heart. This video is my plea to every able person to come forward and help these children. We need them as much as they need us."
To watch Nawshaba's awareness video, please follow this link- https://www.facebook.com/JaagoFoundation/videos/10154408840650809/?__mref=message_bubble
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