Dhaka 9^th November 2013

I am Md. Mohon Mia (BSc, MBA), a National Coordinator in a French NGO. I was one of the first students of Hafiz. I wanted to write my story for long time and now get the time to do it.

My start in life was hard because my family was poor so I often lacked food, school materials and other things. Still, I feel lucky that I was born in my family and I feel fortunate compared to many of my friends, even those who got the things they needed.

I have one brother and one sister and I am the youngest. My father was a line manager (monthly salary 160 USD) in Ajax Jute mills Ltd., Khulna. The job was very uncertain as the owners of the jute mill sometimes closed the mill for unknown time (from six months to one year or more) without prior information and the workers were not given their due salary. So the workers of this mill struggled a lot to survive. My mother was at home taking care of us three children, so it was really difficult for my father to earn enough for our basic needs and education.

When I was in grade 8 my father lost his job, so it became more difficult for him to take care of the family. Sometime later my parents and my elder siblings decided to go back my village (200 km far from Khulna). The reason my parents came to Khulna to work in the jute mill was that they had no income in the village. Both I and my parents dreamed that I would be educated so I could improve our livelihood. I had seen how much struggle and sacrifice my parents had done to give us children education, so I got very sad when this dream was going to be lost. My parents were also very sad. I was afraid to remain alone in Khulna as I only had a few friends and no relatives there.

This time I met my cicerone who helped me until I could manage on my own. Hafizur Rahman was a great enthusiastic and optimistic athlete. He managed to get higher education and at the same time helped others for education and created a good football team because he was determined to achieve his goals. Hafiz inspired me and my parents for education. I used to stay at his home till midnight to study and we had lots of fun. When other parents saw the way of learning Hafiz created they send their kids to him and soon we became a group of 8-10 children.

We, Hafiz’ students, were not active in school and did not have the confidence to get higher education. Hafiz motivated us, made fun and created very good friendships so the study became enjoyable. He used to take me with him to collect students at night from their homes. Most of the children were not interested to study in the beginning so we brought them to Hafiz’ home where he told us funny stories and made us happy during study. Hafizur Rahman is such a big hearted man that he never wanted any sort of compensation from any of us. He even let me eat at stay in his home most of the time.

This way I passed the SSC exam (grade 10) with good marks and after that Hafiz motivated and helped me a lot to do even better at the HSC exam (grade 12). He continued to help me; sometimes he gave me food, sometimes money. It is hard for me to believe that such a dedicated person exists. He did not only help me, but hundreds of students who were distressed and faced problems. After the HSC exam Hafiz is the one who has always been beside me. Without him I would not be the Mohon I am today and I would never be able to complete my education.

One day I thought I would lose my dream to have education and I was worried for my future, but now I have an MBA (Masters of Business Administration)and work in an international NGO with very good salary so I am able to help my parents and  family and I live  a happy life with all my relatives.

Thanks Hafiz for your cooperation and giving me a better life. When I see that Hafiz now helps about 300 poor children I feel proud to think that I was his first student. The great motivation and everything I learned from Hafiz has influenced me very much and it will continue to aid me for the rest of my life.

I would like to dedicate a song to you Hafiz, it seems this song was made for you Because you loved me (Celine Dion)

I will remember you Hafiz for all my life and wish you all the very best.

Md. Mohon Mia

National Coordinator

Aquasure Bangladesh Limited