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WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.880 align:middle line:90% 00:00:10.880 --> 00:00:11.430 align:middle line:90% OK. 00:00:11.430 --> 00:00:12.270 align:middle line:90% Hello. 00:00:12.270 --> 00:00:13.590 align:middle line:90% My name is Athena. 00:00:13.590 --> 00:00:16.910 align:middle line:84% I'm with Outreach and Continuing Education and Western C.A.R.E.S. 00:00:16.910 --> 00:00:19.250 align:middle line:84% here at Western Washington University. 00:00:19.250 --> 00:00:20.900 align:middle line:84% And I'll be acting as your host today 00:00:20.900 --> 00:00:23.330 align:middle line:84% for this session of Stories to Tell. 00:00:23.330 --> 00:00:25.610 align:middle line:84% Just a quick note right away, the interview today 00:00:25.610 --> 00:00:28.580 align:middle line:84% is being recorded and will be archived by the Center 00:00:28.580 --> 00:00:31.370 align:middle line:84% for Pacific Northwest Studies and the South Asian American 00:00:31.370 --> 00:00:33.650 align:middle line:84% Digital Archives, and they will be made available 00:00:33.650 --> 00:00:37.250 align:middle line:84% after for public research, teaching, and education. 00:00:37.250 --> 00:00:39.510 align:middle line:84% A bit about Western C.A.R.E.S. before we start. 00:00:39.510 --> 00:00:41.510 align:middle line:84% We started this as a resource for us 00:00:41.510 --> 00:00:44.990 align:middle line:84% to connect, share, and maintain our sense of community 00:00:44.990 --> 00:00:46.670 align:middle line:84% and engagement during these days where 00:00:46.670 --> 00:00:48.920 align:middle line:84% we're trying to stay home and stay healthy and take 00:00:48.920 --> 00:00:50.130 align:middle line:90% care of each other. 00:00:50.130 --> 00:00:51.920 align:middle line:84% These are online interactive sessions 00:00:51.920 --> 00:00:54.530 align:middle line:84% that are put on by your colleagues and peers who are so 00:00:54.530 --> 00:00:56.240 align:middle line:84% generously volunteering their time 00:00:56.240 --> 00:00:57.830 align:middle line:84% to share their interests and stories 00:00:57.830 --> 00:00:59.437 align:middle line:90% and experiences with you. 00:00:59.437 --> 00:01:01.520 align:middle line:84% As your host, I'm going to introduce your session, 00:01:01.520 --> 00:01:04.220 align:middle line:84% and then I'm here for any tech support you may need. 00:01:04.220 --> 00:01:06.620 align:middle line:84% Know that you entered the call today with your sound 00:01:06.620 --> 00:01:08.240 align:middle line:90% muted and your video off. 00:01:08.240 --> 00:01:09.860 align:middle line:84% Because we are recording, that helps 00:01:09.860 --> 00:01:12.317 align:middle line:84% us keep the video focused on the speakers. 00:01:12.317 --> 00:01:13.900 align:middle line:84% There will be time at the end, though, 00:01:13.900 --> 00:01:16.460 align:middle line:84% where I'll turn that on if you'd like to ask any questions. 00:01:16.460 --> 00:01:18.710 align:middle line:84% And if you're more comfortable using the chat feature, 00:01:18.710 --> 00:01:20.310 align:middle line:90% that is available as well. 00:01:20.310 --> 00:01:21.680 align:middle line:90% And we will be watching that. 00:01:21.680 --> 00:01:23.470 align:middle line:84% So thank you so much for joining us, 00:01:23.470 --> 00:01:25.260 align:middle line:84% and now I'm going to hand it over. 00:01:25.260 --> 00:01:26.670 align:middle line:90% Thanks. 00:01:26.670 --> 00:01:28.600 align:middle line:10% Thank you, everyone, for coming. 00:01:28.600 --> 00:01:31.350 align:middle line:10% Welcome to Stories to Tell. 00:01:31.350 --> 00:01:33.840 align:middle line:10% In this oral history series, our goal 00:01:33.840 --> 00:01:36.660 align:middle line:10% is to explore a diversity of South Asian perspectives 00:01:36.660 --> 00:01:38.220 align:middle line:10% on COVID-19. 00:01:38.220 --> 00:01:41.310 align:middle line:10% The region of South Asia comprises India, Bangladesh, 00:01:41.310 --> 00:01:43.800 align:middle line:10% Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, 00:01:43.800 --> 00:01:46.110 align:middle line:10% Maldives, and Afghanistan. 00:01:46.110 --> 00:01:48.240 align:middle line:10% For the next three weeks, we will 00:01:48.240 --> 00:01:52.290 align:middle line:10% be bringing a new voice for you every Tuesday and Thursday 00:01:52.290 --> 00:01:56.160 align:middle line:10% at 2:00 PM Pacific Standard Time, where we'll be asking 00:01:56.160 --> 00:01:57.522 align:middle line:10% questions for 30 minutes. 00:01:57.522 --> 00:01:58.980 align:middle line:10% And after that, we really encourage 00:01:58.980 --> 00:02:04.220 align:middle line:10% you to ask questions to today's guest-- is Kamrun Nessa 00:02:04.220 --> 00:02:04.930 align:middle line:10% Mirza. 00:02:04.930 --> 00:02:07.110 align:middle line:10% Minorities and immigrants are routinely 00:02:07.110 --> 00:02:10.139 align:middle line:10% absent and underrepresented in archival connections. 00:02:10.139 --> 00:02:13.710 align:middle line:10% Hence, we cannot be more excited to be convening the series. 00:02:13.710 --> 00:02:16.260 align:middle line:10% I will be asking the questions, but a lot of people 00:02:16.260 --> 00:02:19.600 align:middle line:10% have put in their effort to make this happen. 00:02:19.600 --> 00:02:22.035 align:middle line:10% I want to especially acknowledge Athena Roth, who 00:02:22.035 --> 00:02:25.470 align:middle line:10% is Western C.A.R.E.S.' program specialist and the archivist 00:02:25.470 --> 00:02:27.150 align:middle line:10% at Center for Northwest and Pacific 00:02:27.150 --> 00:02:30.000 align:middle line:10% Studies, Northwest and-- 00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:33.500 align:middle line:10% Northwest-- sorry, Pacific and Northwest Studies 00:02:33.500 --> 00:02:34.580 align:middle line:10% Ruth Steele. 00:02:34.580 --> 00:02:36.420 align:middle line:10% So thank you for joining us, Kamrun. 00:02:36.420 --> 00:02:42.100 align:middle line:10% And she will be talking to us about Spreeha 00:02:42.100 --> 00:02:43.680 align:middle line:10% among other things-- about Spreeha 00:02:43.680 --> 00:02:46.380 align:middle line:10% and also a community kitchen endeavor 00:02:46.380 --> 00:02:48.180 align:middle line:10% that I really found amazing. 00:02:48.180 --> 00:02:50.140 align:middle line:10% So welcome, Kamrun. 00:02:50.140 --> 00:02:50.930 align:middle line:10% Thank you. 00:02:50.930 --> 00:02:54.510 align:middle line:10% And I want to start by saying that you grew up in Dhaka, 00:02:54.510 --> 00:02:56.070 align:middle line:10% and I'm from Kolkata. 00:02:56.070 --> 00:02:59.190 align:middle line:10% And of the many gendered notions that I imbibed in childhood, 00:02:59.190 --> 00:03:02.370 align:middle line:10% one was that women cannot be engineers. 00:03:02.370 --> 00:03:05.550 align:middle line:10% And that was 1980s, but even contemporarily, 00:03:05.550 --> 00:03:08.850 align:middle line:10% we know there is this sort of ongoing conversation 00:03:08.850 --> 00:03:11.800 align:middle line:10% about women in science, women in STEM fields. 00:03:11.800 --> 00:03:14.580 align:middle line:10% So tell us a little bit about sort of Bangladesh, 00:03:14.580 --> 00:03:17.700 align:middle line:10% growing up in Dhaka, but also with particular emphasis 00:03:17.700 --> 00:03:20.430 align:middle line:10% on how did you get drawn towards engineering 00:03:20.430 --> 00:03:25.520 align:middle line:10% and also graduating from the top college in your country? 00:03:25.520 --> 00:03:28.680 align:middle line:84% So thank you, Dharitri, and thank you Western Washington 00:03:28.680 --> 00:03:29.550 align:middle line:90% C.A.R.E.S. 00:03:29.550 --> 00:03:32.190 align:middle line:84% Really appreciate your effort to reach out 00:03:32.190 --> 00:03:36.880 align:middle line:84% and share our experience during this difficult time. 00:03:36.880 --> 00:03:39.570 align:middle line:84% So my name is Kamrun Nessa Mirza. 00:03:39.570 --> 00:03:44.310 align:middle line:84% And I was born and raised in Dhaka, Bangladesh, the capital 00:03:44.310 --> 00:03:46.500 align:middle line:90% city. 00:03:46.500 --> 00:03:50.370 align:middle line:84% So while I was growing up, engineering 00:03:50.370 --> 00:03:53.150 align:middle line:84% is something that not a lot of girls 00:03:53.150 --> 00:03:56.550 align:middle line:90% would pursue as their career. 00:03:56.550 --> 00:03:59.460 align:middle line:84% But I was very interested to math and science 00:03:59.460 --> 00:04:01.290 align:middle line:90% from my early childhood. 00:04:01.290 --> 00:04:05.070 align:middle line:84% And I was raised in a multigenerational family 00:04:05.070 --> 00:04:07.720 align:middle line:90% with my siblings. 00:04:07.720 --> 00:04:09.330 align:middle line:90% We are five in number. 00:04:09.330 --> 00:04:12.990 align:middle line:84% And we have a lot of our cousins, relatives, 00:04:12.990 --> 00:04:18.090 align:middle line:84% grandparents living under the same roof like a typical South 00:04:18.090 --> 00:04:19.589 align:middle line:90% Asian family. 00:04:19.589 --> 00:04:23.070 align:middle line:84% And my dad used to encourage me a lot 00:04:23.070 --> 00:04:26.320 align:middle line:84% to pursue whatever I want to be in my life. 00:04:26.320 --> 00:04:31.000 align:middle line:84% And he wanted me to always think same as my brothers. 00:04:31.000 --> 00:04:35.340 align:middle line:84% So I never felt that I'm different as a girl 00:04:35.340 --> 00:04:36.750 align:middle line:90% in the household. 00:04:36.750 --> 00:04:42.590 align:middle line:84% And that instilled that sense of confidence. 00:04:42.590 --> 00:04:47.630 align:middle line:84% And I feel like if I like something, if I work hard, 00:04:47.630 --> 00:04:50.000 align:middle line:90% I would be able to do it. 00:04:50.000 --> 00:04:56.300 align:middle line:84% And so from the very beginning, if I have been told anything that 00:04:56.300 --> 00:05:02.030 align:middle line:84% I cannot do, it gives me an extra sense of urgency to work 00:05:02.030 --> 00:05:06.950 align:middle line:84% even harder to prove that we can do it. 00:05:06.950 --> 00:05:11.780 align:middle line:84% It may take more difficult. It may take harder work from us. 00:05:11.780 --> 00:05:16.700 align:middle line:84% We need to work harder, and pay more attention, 00:05:16.700 --> 00:05:20.070 align:middle line:90% and pay more due diligence. 00:05:20.070 --> 00:05:21.650 align:middle line:90% But it is doable. 00:05:21.650 --> 00:05:26.520 align:middle line:84% And from that childhood, I felt like it is true. 00:05:26.520 --> 00:05:30.060 align:middle line:84% If you work harder, you can achieve your dream. 00:05:30.060 --> 00:05:33.210 align:middle line:10% So how was your experience in your engineering college, 00:05:33.210 --> 00:05:34.950 align:middle line:10% though? 00:05:34.950 --> 00:05:37.065 align:middle line:10% Were there a lot of women in the college, 00:05:37.065 --> 00:05:38.763 align:middle line:10% and what was that experience like? 00:05:38.763 --> 00:05:40.680 align:middle line:10% Because engineering is still a very, very sort 00:05:40.680 --> 00:05:43.330 align:middle line:10% of male-dominated field. 00:05:43.330 --> 00:05:43.830 align:middle line:90% Right. 00:05:43.830 --> 00:05:49.620 align:middle line:84% So in Bangladesh there wasn't too many engineering colleges 00:05:49.620 --> 00:05:51.450 align:middle line:90% when I was growing up. 00:05:51.450 --> 00:05:54.050 align:middle line:84% So the top university, it's a merit-based, 00:05:54.050 --> 00:05:59.010 align:middle line:84% so from your grade 12 scores and everything, 00:05:59.010 --> 00:06:04.650 align:middle line:84% they select around 9,000 who can participate-- 00:06:04.650 --> 00:06:07.230 align:middle line:90% or to apply or sit for the exam. 00:06:07.230 --> 00:06:11.460 align:middle line:84% And then there were at that time 550 positions, 00:06:11.460 --> 00:06:15.070 align:middle line:84% or seats in different departments. 00:06:15.070 --> 00:06:16.450 align:middle line:90% So it was very difficult. 00:06:16.450 --> 00:06:25.390 align:middle line:84% There will be 20 girls in a 220-plus-size classroom. 00:06:25.390 --> 00:06:27.300 align:middle line:90% So the percentage was very low. 00:06:27.300 --> 00:06:31.440 align:middle line:84% You are a very, very small minority group 00:06:31.440 --> 00:06:32.910 align:middle line:90% in the classroom. 00:06:32.910 --> 00:06:40.240 align:middle line:84% And the notion is that it was always a question that why 00:06:40.240 --> 00:06:42.390 align:middle line:90% girls are pursuing engineering? 00:06:42.390 --> 00:06:47.130 align:middle line:84% It's more like you are wasting a position that a boy could have 00:06:47.130 --> 00:06:50.400 align:middle line:84% pursued and could have raised a family, 00:06:50.400 --> 00:06:53.580 align:middle line:84% because eventually, you will not be pursuing or working 00:06:53.580 --> 00:06:58.215 align:middle line:84% as an engineer and you are just studying 00:06:58.215 --> 00:07:02.710 align:middle line:84% it to get married better, which is very common in South 00:07:02.710 --> 00:07:05.662 align:middle line:90% Asian culture at that time. 00:07:05.662 --> 00:07:07.810 align:middle line:10% Yeah, and I don't [AUDIO CUTS OUT] at that time. 00:07:07.810 --> 00:07:11.860 align:middle line:10% I think even now the belief is sort of very prevalent. 00:07:11.860 --> 00:07:15.330 align:middle line:10% So you did your bachelor's, your engineering degree, 00:07:15.330 --> 00:07:17.640 align:middle line:10% and then you came to the US. 00:07:17.640 --> 00:07:20.250 align:middle line:10% Tell us a little bit about your degree here. 00:07:20.250 --> 00:07:23.790 align:middle line:10% And then I really want to know about your experience 00:07:23.790 --> 00:07:26.380 align:middle line:10% at Texas Instruments, because I'm not an engineer, 00:07:26.380 --> 00:07:28.980 align:middle line:10% but I know that it's one of the sort of most 00:07:28.980 --> 00:07:32.430 align:middle line:10% sought after semiconductor technology companies 00:07:32.430 --> 00:07:34.710 align:middle line:10% to get into. 00:07:34.710 --> 00:07:35.210 align:middle line:90% Right. 00:07:35.210 --> 00:07:39.650 align:middle line:84% So after graduating to pursue my masters-- 00:07:39.650 --> 00:07:41.810 align:middle line:90% and I was in a PhD program. 00:07:41.810 --> 00:07:44.300 align:middle line:90% I couldn't finish it then. 00:07:44.300 --> 00:07:47.990 align:middle line:84% Took my master's degree in microelectronics 00:07:47.990 --> 00:07:51.050 align:middle line:84% from University of Texas in Dallas. 00:07:51.050 --> 00:07:53.420 align:middle line:90% And it's called UTD. 00:07:53.420 --> 00:08:02.270 align:middle line:84% After graduating from there, it was in 2004 right after 9/11 00:08:02.270 --> 00:08:03.890 align:middle line:90% in 2001. 00:08:03.890 --> 00:08:06.890 align:middle line:84% So the economy and the overall job situation 00:08:06.890 --> 00:08:10.850 align:middle line:84% was very difficult for anybody to get into it. 00:08:10.850 --> 00:08:16.070 align:middle line:84% But I was able to secure an interview, get hired. 00:08:16.070 --> 00:08:23.410 align:middle line:84% And after hiring, I see a lot of engineers in the whole company, 00:08:23.410 --> 00:08:25.800 align:middle line:84% but when you work in your group settings, 00:08:25.800 --> 00:08:29.390 align:middle line:84% again, you see the same as your engineering school 00:08:29.390 --> 00:08:30.650 align:middle line:90% experiences-- 00:08:30.650 --> 00:08:35.330 align:middle line:84% always minority, always the single female engineer 00:08:35.330 --> 00:08:37.280 align:middle line:90% on the team. 00:08:37.280 --> 00:08:40.730 align:middle line:84% But growing up in a developing country being 00:08:40.730 --> 00:08:44.660 align:middle line:84% in the engineering field, we developed a thick skin 00:08:44.660 --> 00:08:47.270 align:middle line:90% and a lot of tolerance. 00:08:47.270 --> 00:08:52.850 align:middle line:84% And developing some real skills-- 00:08:52.850 --> 00:08:55.520 align:middle line:84% how to survive in any kind of environment, 00:08:55.520 --> 00:08:59.780 align:middle line:84% whether it be male-dominated or any kind of challenges 00:08:59.780 --> 00:09:01.490 align:middle line:90% are thrown at you. 00:09:01.490 --> 00:09:07.580 align:middle line:84% So with the help from the co-workers, and mentors, 00:09:07.580 --> 00:09:10.280 align:middle line:84% and other female engineers from the company, 00:09:10.280 --> 00:09:11.450 align:middle line:90% I was able to survive. 00:09:11.450 --> 00:09:14.240 align:middle line:84% I worked there for 11-plus years. 00:09:14.240 --> 00:09:18.110 align:middle line:84% And it was before the hashtag or #MeToo movement. 00:09:18.110 --> 00:09:22.340 align:middle line:90% So environment was different. 00:09:22.340 --> 00:09:24.720 align:middle line:84% I would say things are much better. 00:09:24.720 --> 00:09:28.640 align:middle line:84% I wish I was in that environment till now, 00:09:28.640 --> 00:09:31.850 align:middle line:90% to see how it is these days. 00:09:31.850 --> 00:09:35.720 align:middle line:84% But from all the blogs and all the experiences 00:09:35.720 --> 00:09:40.310 align:middle line:84% I hear from my junior engineering friends, 00:09:40.310 --> 00:09:43.490 align:middle line:90% it is much better, I would say. 00:09:43.490 --> 00:09:51.140 align:middle line:84% We have to go through a lot of comments, and a lot of remarks, 00:09:51.140 --> 00:09:56.330 align:middle line:84% and a lot of discussions that we're really not in favor. 00:09:56.330 --> 00:10:00.740 align:middle line:84% You can clearly feel that you are being cornered 00:10:00.740 --> 00:10:03.230 align:middle line:90% or not treated properly. 00:10:03.230 --> 00:10:08.090 align:middle line:84% But at that time, for me, I can tell I didn't have the training 00:10:08.090 --> 00:10:11.810 align:middle line:84% or I didn't have the knowledge that I 00:10:11.810 --> 00:10:17.390 align:middle line:84% can protest to those things or I can say something about those. 00:10:17.390 --> 00:10:21.740 align:middle line:84% I just took it as I were in my own country, like I 00:10:21.740 --> 00:10:25.880 align:middle line:84% have to tolerate it, and look beyond those things, 00:10:25.880 --> 00:10:29.690 align:middle line:84% and focus on my goal, and perform similarly or even 00:10:29.690 --> 00:10:33.000 align:middle line:84% better than my male counterparts. 00:10:33.000 --> 00:10:37.550 align:middle line:10% So it looks like more than your work, your gender, 00:10:37.550 --> 00:10:42.820 align:middle line:10% sort of that becomes focus of the discussion. 00:10:42.820 --> 00:10:44.700 align:middle line:10% So you were in Texas then. 00:10:44.700 --> 00:10:47.880 align:middle line:10% And then that's a Texas Instruments experience. 00:10:47.880 --> 00:10:50.730 align:middle line:10% And then you moved to Seattle. 00:10:50.730 --> 00:10:52.770 align:middle line:10% When did you move to Seattle? 00:10:52.770 --> 00:10:59.070 align:middle line:90% So I moved to Seattle in 2014. 00:10:59.070 --> 00:11:04.440 align:middle line:84% While working in Texas Instruments, I had two kids. 00:11:04.440 --> 00:11:09.810 align:middle line:84% And during those time, that job in engineering 00:11:09.810 --> 00:11:14.460 align:middle line:84% is when you work in a company where the teams are 00:11:14.460 --> 00:11:16.460 align:middle line:90% spread all over the world. 00:11:16.460 --> 00:11:20.350 align:middle line:84% Like, I have team in Germany, I have team in India, 00:11:20.350 --> 00:11:27.310 align:middle line:84% and then I have team in Texas, and also in Japan. 00:11:27.310 --> 00:11:30.900 align:middle line:84% So I felt like that work is around the clock. 00:11:30.900 --> 00:11:34.050 align:middle line:84% And it can be a personal thing, but I never 00:11:34.050 --> 00:11:37.960 align:middle line:84% felt like I can manage my work-life balance very well. 00:11:37.960 --> 00:11:42.120 align:middle line:84% And it was taking a toll on my health as well. 00:11:42.120 --> 00:11:45.450 align:middle line:84% Because you know, lack of sleep and lack of rest 00:11:45.450 --> 00:11:49.680 align:middle line:84% and too much anxiety, I would say, 00:11:49.680 --> 00:11:52.380 align:middle line:84% always trying to prove that I can do, 00:11:52.380 --> 00:11:55.240 align:middle line:84% I can do what I'm supposed to do. 00:11:55.240 --> 00:11:57.180 align:middle line:90% So it was taking a toll. 00:11:57.180 --> 00:12:01.560 align:middle line:84% And after 11-plus years, I felt like I'm too exhausted 00:12:01.560 --> 00:12:03.300 align:middle line:90% and I wanted a break. 00:12:03.300 --> 00:12:08.910 align:middle line:84% So when we got an opportunity for my spouse, from Seattle, 00:12:08.910 --> 00:12:11.970 align:middle line:84% we took the opportunity and I took that as a break, 00:12:11.970 --> 00:12:13.440 align:middle line:90% as a career break. 00:12:13.440 --> 00:12:15.870 align:middle line:84% I had the opportunity to come and work 00:12:15.870 --> 00:12:20.130 align:middle line:84% remotely from San Diego, away from the family. 00:12:20.130 --> 00:12:22.180 align:middle line:90% I had offered those options. 00:12:22.180 --> 00:12:23.970 align:middle line:84% But I chose to be with my family, 00:12:23.970 --> 00:12:29.040 align:middle line:84% and enjoy my kids a little bit, and reset the clock 00:12:29.040 --> 00:12:33.310 align:middle line:84% to see how I feel, and take a good control of my life. 00:12:33.310 --> 00:12:36.170 align:middle line:84% I felt like I didn't have good control. 00:12:36.170 --> 00:12:42.305 align:middle line:10% So [? for ?] second career, you found community service. 00:12:42.305 --> 00:12:45.440 align:middle line:10% So tell us a little bit about Spreeha 00:12:45.440 --> 00:12:49.740 align:middle line:10% and what does it do as an organization. 00:12:49.740 --> 00:12:53.300 align:middle line:10% And it almost seems like another conversation I've had with you 00:12:53.300 --> 00:12:57.930 align:middle line:10% before, that it almost was sort of a healing place for you. 00:12:57.930 --> 00:13:00.000 align:middle line:10% So tell us a little bit about that. 00:13:00.000 --> 00:13:00.500 align:middle line:90% Sure. 00:13:00.500 --> 00:13:04.160 align:middle line:84% So when I was taking my break, I still 00:13:04.160 --> 00:13:07.490 align:middle line:84% have all the time in the world in my hand, 00:13:07.490 --> 00:13:09.680 align:middle line:90% because I'm used to being busy. 00:13:09.680 --> 00:13:13.760 align:middle line:84% So I got involved in all local community 00:13:13.760 --> 00:13:19.510 align:middle line:84% works, like PTSA and the religious organization, 00:13:19.510 --> 00:13:22.640 align:middle line:84% my mosque, volunteering in those places. 00:13:22.640 --> 00:13:25.330 align:middle line:84% And finally, I got introduced to Spreeha, 00:13:25.330 --> 00:13:27.550 align:middle line:90% a nonprofit organization. 00:13:27.550 --> 00:13:30.730 align:middle line:90% They have programs local. 00:13:30.730 --> 00:13:36.370 align:middle line:84% And the main beneficiary of the program is Bangladesh slums. 00:13:36.370 --> 00:13:41.890 align:middle line:84% So their vision is breaking the cycle of poverty. 00:13:41.890 --> 00:13:47.090 align:middle line:84% So when I was growing up, it was an urban location metroplex, 00:13:47.090 --> 00:13:50.620 align:middle line:84% but in any South Asian or developing countries, 00:13:50.620 --> 00:13:55.160 align:middle line:84% you will see slums very nearby to the big cities. 00:13:55.160 --> 00:13:59.980 align:middle line:84% So I had the experience how people live in those slums 00:13:59.980 --> 00:14:05.620 align:middle line:84% and how in a 5 feet by 5 feet tent, 5, 10 people 00:14:05.620 --> 00:14:11.200 align:middle line:84% are crumpled and living their life without their access 00:14:11.200 --> 00:14:14.590 align:middle line:84% to basic human things like sanitation, 00:14:14.590 --> 00:14:19.250 align:middle line:84% clean water, and those kind of things, let alone education. 00:14:19.250 --> 00:14:23.170 align:middle line:84% And when I found that this organization serves 00:14:23.170 --> 00:14:26.380 align:middle line:84% those kids in those slums, I felt 00:14:26.380 --> 00:14:30.640 align:middle line:84% like this is where I can really find 00:14:30.640 --> 00:14:34.060 align:middle line:90% some better purpose of my life. 00:14:34.060 --> 00:14:39.250 align:middle line:84% So growing up in Bangladesh as an engineer, 00:14:39.250 --> 00:14:46.360 align:middle line:84% the government of Bangladesh made the whole tuition free. 00:14:46.360 --> 00:14:49.300 align:middle line:84% On top of that, they provide scholarships for your pocket 00:14:49.300 --> 00:14:50.800 align:middle line:90% money and everything. 00:14:50.800 --> 00:14:55.930 align:middle line:84% So I always felt like I owe a lot to my country, 00:14:55.930 --> 00:14:58.300 align:middle line:84% because here, you will see biggest 00:14:58.300 --> 00:15:02.020 align:middle line:84% discussion within any students in any education 00:15:02.020 --> 00:15:04.900 align:middle line:90% is the tuition, the challenge. 00:15:04.900 --> 00:15:10.930 align:middle line:84% And from a developing country, the quality of education 00:15:10.930 --> 00:15:16.280 align:middle line:84% I got for free, I can really see the value in it. 00:15:16.280 --> 00:15:18.220 align:middle line:90% And I feel very obligated. 00:15:18.220 --> 00:15:23.410 align:middle line:84% I wanted to do something and give back to show my gratitude. 00:15:23.410 --> 00:15:25.570 align:middle line:84% And Spreeha gave me that purpose, 00:15:25.570 --> 00:15:29.980 align:middle line:84% because your beneficiaries are those kids in the slums 00:15:29.980 --> 00:15:35.590 align:middle line:84% as well as homeless people in Seattle or in Washington 00:15:35.590 --> 00:15:37.460 align:middle line:90% local communities. 00:15:37.460 --> 00:15:41.260 align:middle line:10% So I can connect to both the causes. 00:15:41.260 --> 00:15:47.010 align:middle line:84% And it makes my every single day a lot better. 00:15:47.010 --> 00:15:47.510 align:middle line:90% Thank you. 00:15:47.510 --> 00:15:48.770 align:middle line:10% That's so wonderfully put. 00:15:48.770 --> 00:15:50.960 align:middle line:10% And also thank you for underscoring 00:15:50.960 --> 00:15:54.110 align:middle line:10% that point, that there are all these developing 00:15:54.110 --> 00:15:58.460 align:middle line:10% countries in South Asia, that the kind of and quality 00:15:58.460 --> 00:16:03.455 align:middle line:10% of education that it provides, and almost for free, right-- 00:16:03.455 --> 00:16:08.680 align:middle line:10% but tuition are such a big problem in the US, 00:16:08.680 --> 00:16:13.130 align:middle line:10% a big bone of contention between all parties, 00:16:13.130 --> 00:16:15.300 align:middle line:10% all kinds of politics. 00:16:15.300 --> 00:16:17.690 align:middle line:10% So thanks for underscoring that. 00:16:17.690 --> 00:16:20.640 align:middle line:10% So I know Spreeha therefore is giving you a chance, 00:16:20.640 --> 00:16:24.320 align:middle line:10% I think, to work for slums in Bangladesh 00:16:24.320 --> 00:16:28.610 align:middle line:10% but generally be involved in some kind of developing 00:16:28.610 --> 00:16:30.770 align:middle line:10% work for the country that you come from. 00:16:30.770 --> 00:16:35.150 align:middle line:10% But also, it helps you to serve locally. 00:16:35.150 --> 00:16:36.860 align:middle line:10% And that's how I got in touch with you, 00:16:36.860 --> 00:16:40.460 align:middle line:10% because I was fascinated by the work of the community kitchen. 00:16:40.460 --> 00:16:43.930 align:middle line:10% So maybe you can share that in particular. 00:16:43.930 --> 00:16:46.470 align:middle line:10% How did the idea come to you, to Spreeha, 00:16:46.470 --> 00:16:50.870 align:middle line:10% and how did you participate in that, the community kitchen, 00:16:50.870 --> 00:16:55.250 align:middle line:10% especially the work that it did during the pandemic? 00:16:55.250 --> 00:16:55.750 align:middle line:90% Sure. 00:16:55.750 --> 00:17:00.690 align:middle line:84% So in the area where I live, there 00:17:00.690 --> 00:17:04.200 align:middle line:84% is a church called United Methodist Church, 00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:08.400 align:middle line:84% and they have a program where homeless people will 00:17:08.400 --> 00:17:11.190 align:middle line:84% be considered as parking lot guests. 00:17:11.190 --> 00:17:14.710 align:middle line:84% And they will be parking their car on the parking lot 00:17:14.710 --> 00:17:17.730 align:middle line:84% and use the church as their facility 00:17:17.730 --> 00:17:23.970 align:middle line:84% to shower, to use the kitchen, to prepare their meal. 00:17:23.970 --> 00:17:29.010 align:middle line:84% So a lot of organizations are affiliated with those churches 00:17:29.010 --> 00:17:33.960 align:middle line:84% as a volunteer organization who come and donate for the dinner 00:17:33.960 --> 00:17:35.430 align:middle line:90% for those guests. 00:17:35.430 --> 00:17:38.730 align:middle line:84% And Spreeha got the opportunity to participate 00:17:38.730 --> 00:17:41.040 align:middle line:90% in those programs. 00:17:41.040 --> 00:17:43.950 align:middle line:84% I got involved because it is really difficult 00:17:43.950 --> 00:17:48.120 align:middle line:84% for our next generation and even for our own community-- when 00:17:48.120 --> 00:17:51.870 align:middle line:84% you are so affluent, everything is so easy for you. 00:17:51.870 --> 00:17:55.620 align:middle line:84% To understand how the community as a whole-- 00:17:55.620 --> 00:17:58.740 align:middle line:84% not everybody is doing as good as you are. 00:17:58.740 --> 00:18:02.340 align:middle line:84% And you need to participate in those, 00:18:02.340 --> 00:18:05.040 align:middle line:84% lift them up, give a hand of help, 00:18:05.040 --> 00:18:08.530 align:middle line:84% and bring some relief to those community. 00:18:08.530 --> 00:18:11.010 align:middle line:84% Churches themselves cannot do that. 00:18:11.010 --> 00:18:13.420 align:middle line:90% Mosques cannot do that. 00:18:13.420 --> 00:18:18.930 align:middle line:84% So there is a lot of community involvement that is needed. 00:18:18.930 --> 00:18:21.840 align:middle line:84% And I particularly got involved because I 00:18:21.840 --> 00:18:25.710 align:middle line:84% wanted to teach my kids because they never experienced 00:18:25.710 --> 00:18:28.270 align:middle line:90% Bangladesh the way I did. 00:18:28.270 --> 00:18:31.730 align:middle line:84% So I am very thankful for what I have achieved in my life, 00:18:31.730 --> 00:18:34.080 align:middle line:84% but I wanted my kids to understand 00:18:34.080 --> 00:18:37.170 align:middle line:84% that it's the privilege-- what they are enjoying. 00:18:37.170 --> 00:18:43.200 align:middle line:84% And they need to develop this habit of giving back. 00:18:43.200 --> 00:18:46.170 align:middle line:84% So I encouraged all my friends and their kids 00:18:46.170 --> 00:18:49.470 align:middle line:84% to come and sit with the parking lot guests, 00:18:49.470 --> 00:18:52.020 align:middle line:84% look at their challenge, how they are working 00:18:52.020 --> 00:18:55.980 align:middle line:84% on the daytime, but at nighttime they're just living in the car. 00:18:55.980 --> 00:19:01.560 align:middle line:84% So it was OK, or it was, to some extent, 00:19:01.560 --> 00:19:04.330 align:middle line:90% manageable until the COVID hit. 00:19:04.330 --> 00:19:09.180 align:middle line:84% So during pandemic when we all are stuck, 00:19:09.180 --> 00:19:12.660 align:middle line:84% I keep thinking about how those people are 00:19:12.660 --> 00:19:15.600 align:middle line:90% staying in their car 24/7. 00:19:15.600 --> 00:19:17.280 align:middle line:84% Because I know the church will not 00:19:17.280 --> 00:19:21.900 align:middle line:84% be allowing them inside due to social distancing. 00:19:21.900 --> 00:19:24.780 align:middle line:84% So I tried to reach out to the volunteers 00:19:24.780 --> 00:19:29.070 align:middle line:84% and learned that they are still providing those meals. 00:19:29.070 --> 00:19:32.550 align:middle line:84% And as a community volunteer, I tried 00:19:32.550 --> 00:19:37.830 align:middle line:84% to bring awareness, using social media, to my community, 00:19:37.830 --> 00:19:41.730 align:middle line:84% that we all are complaining while we are staying 00:19:41.730 --> 00:19:43.950 align:middle line:84% in a huge house, or an apartment, 00:19:43.950 --> 00:19:48.080 align:middle line:84% or a big space where we can comfortably stay. 00:19:48.080 --> 00:19:52.170 align:middle line:84% But think about those people who just have to live in a car. 00:19:52.170 --> 00:19:53.970 align:middle line:90% And it was March. 00:19:53.970 --> 00:19:55.920 align:middle line:90% Winter was still there. 00:19:55.920 --> 00:19:58.950 align:middle line:84% And a lot of their cars are not even wind-- 00:19:58.950 --> 00:20:01.740 align:middle line:84% I mean, they do not even have the windows. 00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:04.470 align:middle line:90% They have plastic wrap windows. 00:20:04.470 --> 00:20:09.340 align:middle line:84% And so you can imagine-- no heating and stuck in the car 00:20:09.340 --> 00:20:10.340 align:middle line:90% in COVID. 00:20:10.340 --> 00:20:14.780 align:middle line:84% And they have to be in that situation 24/7. 00:20:14.780 --> 00:20:18.660 align:middle line:84% So there was a huge support from the community that we received. 00:20:18.660 --> 00:20:24.530 align:middle line:84% And we were able to do many programs. 00:20:24.530 --> 00:20:29.810 align:middle line:84% Usually we do once a month donate the dinner 00:20:29.810 --> 00:20:34.070 align:middle line:84% to those [? forty ?] parking lot guests, but during the pandemic 00:20:34.070 --> 00:20:38.850 align:middle line:84% we were able to do it almost every week for quite some time. 00:20:38.850 --> 00:20:43.110 align:middle line:84% And that made a huge relief to the church 00:20:43.110 --> 00:20:46.100 align:middle line:84% and they were able to maintain the program. 00:20:46.100 --> 00:20:49.130 align:middle line:84% So I felt like the pandemic hit us 00:20:49.130 --> 00:20:54.350 align:middle line:84% in many different ways, which we do not anticipated before, 00:20:54.350 --> 00:20:57.680 align:middle line:84% but it also opened that together we 00:20:57.680 --> 00:21:02.460 align:middle line:84% can do things which we didn't know we could do. 00:21:02.460 --> 00:21:05.380 align:middle line:10% And so just to clarify, the church, however, I mean, 00:21:05.380 --> 00:21:07.580 align:middle line:10% they have the guests every day. 00:21:07.580 --> 00:21:10.890 align:middle line:10% And when you supplied the food, it 00:21:10.890 --> 00:21:12.720 align:middle line:10% was Spreeha was doing it one day, 00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:15.720 align:middle line:10% but there were also several other organizations 00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:17.410 align:middle line:10% that worked for the church. 00:21:17.410 --> 00:21:19.410 align:middle line:10% And so the guests are all being taken care 00:21:19.410 --> 00:21:22.440 align:middle line:10% of by different NGOs who are stepping up. 00:21:22.440 --> 00:21:23.380 align:middle line:10% Is that right? 00:21:23.380 --> 00:21:23.980 align:middle line:90% Right. 00:21:23.980 --> 00:21:24.480 align:middle line:90% Right. 00:21:24.480 --> 00:21:26.370 align:middle line:84% So there is a list of organizations 00:21:26.370 --> 00:21:28.510 align:middle line:90% who are continuously doing it. 00:21:28.510 --> 00:21:32.170 align:middle line:84% And if there is no sponsor on any given night, 00:21:32.170 --> 00:21:36.120 align:middle line:84% they will be living on the packed food. 00:21:36.120 --> 00:21:38.390 align:middle line:84% And we also donate those kinds of food-- 00:21:38.390 --> 00:21:41.730 align:middle line:84% dry food that they can prepare instantly in the kitchen, 00:21:41.730 --> 00:21:43.410 align:middle line:84% because their exposure in the kitchen 00:21:43.410 --> 00:21:47.340 align:middle line:84% is also limited, maintaining social distancing. 00:21:47.340 --> 00:21:51.030 align:middle line:10% So what about your community? 00:21:51.030 --> 00:21:53.400 align:middle line:10% And your community I'm not necessarily implying 00:21:53.400 --> 00:21:55.730 align:middle line:10% has to be only from Bangladesh. 00:21:55.730 --> 00:21:58.230 align:middle line:10% And I understand from you that it is not. 00:21:58.230 --> 00:22:03.432 align:middle line:10% But how are your community in general, 00:22:03.432 --> 00:22:04.890 align:middle line:10% whether from Bangladesh or not, how 00:22:04.890 --> 00:22:06.890 align:middle line:10% are they doing, if you were to speak about them? 00:22:06.890 --> 00:22:09.780 align:middle line:10% Because again, the purpose of this series 00:22:09.780 --> 00:22:13.980 align:middle line:10% is to explore immigrant experiences as well. 00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:16.800 align:middle line:10% And if you could speak to that? 00:22:16.800 --> 00:22:20.000 align:middle line:84% So the Bangladeshi community in general 00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:24.080 align:middle line:84% is suffering in kind of a similar way 00:22:24.080 --> 00:22:26.690 align:middle line:84% as many other communities are doing. 00:22:26.690 --> 00:22:31.610 align:middle line:84% The difference-- sometimes I feel like we still 00:22:31.610 --> 00:22:34.770 align:middle line:84% try to be in touch with each other, 00:22:34.770 --> 00:22:39.030 align:middle line:84% so we are connected to some extent, one with the other. 00:22:39.030 --> 00:22:40.760 align:middle line:84% So if there is a community member 00:22:40.760 --> 00:22:46.400 align:middle line:84% who is being impacted by a job loss, or hourly salaries, 00:22:46.400 --> 00:22:51.080 align:middle line:84% or impacted by sickness, so far we 00:22:51.080 --> 00:22:54.750 align:middle line:84% didn't hear a lot of people impacted by COVID. 00:22:54.750 --> 00:22:58.280 align:middle line:84% But anytime a family is in need, I 00:22:58.280 --> 00:23:02.780 align:middle line:84% think the community tries to put together some relief to them, 00:23:02.780 --> 00:23:05.060 align:middle line:90% so they are not left out. 00:23:05.060 --> 00:23:11.130 align:middle line:84% And it is a very tight community, 00:23:11.130 --> 00:23:14.300 align:middle line:84% I would say, in a way that, to some way, 00:23:14.300 --> 00:23:16.160 align:middle line:84% we will know about the sufferings 00:23:16.160 --> 00:23:18.590 align:middle line:84% of the other families even though we are not 00:23:18.590 --> 00:23:20.450 align:middle line:90% in direct contact of them. 00:23:20.450 --> 00:23:25.940 align:middle line:84% There were some big celebrations that we 00:23:25.940 --> 00:23:29.700 align:middle line:84% have cultural like Bengali New Year 00:23:29.700 --> 00:23:32.390 align:middle line:90% and then we had our Ramadan. 00:23:32.390 --> 00:23:35.010 align:middle line:84% There will be Puja in the coming days. 00:23:35.010 --> 00:23:37.670 align:middle line:84% So these are big celebrations, and the community 00:23:37.670 --> 00:23:43.020 align:middle line:84% comes together in a big way to celebrate their life abroad. 00:23:43.020 --> 00:23:47.130 align:middle line:84% But due to COVID, all those celebrations 00:23:47.130 --> 00:23:51.960 align:middle line:84% are not going to happen the way it usually does. 00:23:51.960 --> 00:23:54.890 align:middle line:84% And it is a big adjustment from the community. 00:23:54.890 --> 00:23:56.960 align:middle line:84% But for the greater good and to follow 00:23:56.960 --> 00:23:58.910 align:middle line:84% the instructions of the governor, 00:23:58.910 --> 00:24:02.760 align:middle line:84% community is able to live by those rules. 00:24:02.760 --> 00:24:06.230 align:middle line:84% It's a huge, huge sacrifice because that's 00:24:06.230 --> 00:24:09.320 align:middle line:84% all they look for throughout the year. 00:24:09.320 --> 00:24:12.860 align:middle line:84% But they understand the need at this time, 00:24:12.860 --> 00:24:17.180 align:middle line:84% and they will follow all the rules of social distancing 00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:18.770 align:middle line:90% and be responsible citizens. 00:24:18.770 --> 00:24:20.530 align:middle line:90% Of course. 00:24:20.530 --> 00:24:25.700 align:middle line:10% So when you look at the handling of the pandemic, 00:24:25.700 --> 00:24:28.460 align:middle line:10% do you find yourself comparing, contrasting 00:24:28.460 --> 00:24:33.720 align:middle line:10% between how it's being handled in Bangladesh and in the US? 00:24:33.720 --> 00:24:34.220 align:middle line:90% Right. 00:24:34.220 --> 00:24:38.490 align:middle line:84% So like many of the immigrant families, 00:24:38.490 --> 00:24:41.220 align:middle line:84% we have two countries that we are nonstop tracking. 00:24:41.220 --> 00:24:44.100 align:middle line:84% During daytime we are hearing and tracking 00:24:44.100 --> 00:24:46.600 align:middle line:90% all the challenges in the US. 00:24:46.600 --> 00:24:50.400 align:middle line:84% And at nighttime, when it is daytime in Bangladesh, 00:24:50.400 --> 00:24:54.570 align:middle line:84% we are struggling with our friends, and families, 00:24:54.570 --> 00:24:56.980 align:middle line:90% and community over there. 00:24:56.980 --> 00:24:58.260 align:middle line:90% So it's two countries. 00:24:58.260 --> 00:25:02.370 align:middle line:84% The challenge is almost the same. 00:25:02.370 --> 00:25:03.920 align:middle line:90% But our one-- 00:25:03.920 --> 00:25:05.520 align:middle line:84% Bangladesh is a developing country-- 00:25:05.520 --> 00:25:10.950 align:middle line:84% lack of PPE, lack of testing, lack of health system. 00:25:10.950 --> 00:25:12.390 align:middle line:90% It's big time. 00:25:12.390 --> 00:25:16.290 align:middle line:84% So you worry constantly, especially for me. 00:25:16.290 --> 00:25:19.020 align:middle line:84% My parents are living there still. 00:25:19.020 --> 00:25:23.070 align:middle line:84% So I am constantly worrying about them. 00:25:23.070 --> 00:25:28.080 align:middle line:84% But people who are abroad, we all are trying to give back 00:25:28.080 --> 00:25:31.710 align:middle line:84% and do something about what the government cannot do. 00:25:31.710 --> 00:25:34.940 align:middle line:84% That's a big part of the immigrant families, 00:25:34.940 --> 00:25:37.470 align:middle line:90% like every other countries. 00:25:37.470 --> 00:25:41.710 align:middle line:84% We raise a lot of funds from our community, 00:25:41.710 --> 00:25:45.690 align:middle line:84% and we try to help our friends and families over 00:25:45.690 --> 00:25:47.770 align:middle line:90% there as much as we can. 00:25:47.770 --> 00:25:52.550 align:middle line:84% So our commitment is local as well as our own country 00:25:52.550 --> 00:25:53.050 align:middle line:90% as well. 00:25:53.050 --> 00:25:58.290 align:middle line:84% So it's two countries we are trying to keep track and do 00:25:58.290 --> 00:26:01.010 align:middle line:90% as much as we can. 00:26:01.010 --> 00:26:03.040 align:middle line:10% So was there a particular point when 00:26:03.040 --> 00:26:06.790 align:middle line:10% you realized that you're living through a global pandemic, 00:26:06.790 --> 00:26:08.240 align:middle line:10% like a historic pandemic? 00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:11.750 align:middle line:10% And if there is one, would you describe it for us? 00:26:11.750 --> 00:26:12.250 align:middle line:90% Sure. 00:26:12.250 --> 00:26:17.960 align:middle line:84% So I remember early March when all these news 00:26:17.960 --> 00:26:19.870 align:middle line:90% stories popping up. 00:26:19.870 --> 00:26:24.070 align:middle line:84% We were hearing all the stories on the media, 00:26:24.070 --> 00:26:28.300 align:middle line:84% and I just went to my daily grocery 00:26:28.300 --> 00:26:31.960 align:middle line:84% in one of the grocery stores one day. 00:26:31.960 --> 00:26:36.880 align:middle line:84% And I was alone but the way people were running next 00:26:36.880 --> 00:26:40.670 align:middle line:84% to me, all the empty shelves, nothing 00:26:40.670 --> 00:26:44.230 align:middle line:84% is available, even simple things, 00:26:44.230 --> 00:26:47.360 align:middle line:84% as simple as the toilet paper is not available. 00:26:47.360 --> 00:26:49.810 align:middle line:84% And then people are chasing each other 00:26:49.810 --> 00:26:53.320 align:middle line:84% to reach out the first thing they can get. 00:26:53.320 --> 00:26:59.530 align:middle line:84% I felt like I'm either in a war or in some real situation 00:26:59.530 --> 00:27:02.420 align:middle line:84% which I never experienced in my lifetime. 00:27:02.420 --> 00:27:05.500 align:middle line:84% And I was trying to tell myself that I 00:27:05.500 --> 00:27:08.940 align:middle line:84% need to grab whatever I can and leave that space 00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:12.490 align:middle line:84% and try to leave with minimal stuff that I can, 00:27:12.490 --> 00:27:16.450 align:middle line:84% so I don't have to go back and see those chasing. 00:27:16.450 --> 00:27:19.150 align:middle line:90% Because those are very scary. 00:27:19.150 --> 00:27:24.100 align:middle line:90% You felt very insecure then. 00:27:24.100 --> 00:27:26.020 align:middle line:84% Things you never experienced before. 00:27:26.020 --> 00:27:29.520 align:middle line:84% So that was the moment I realized that things 00:27:29.520 --> 00:27:31.604 align:middle line:90% are going to get a lot worse. 00:27:31.604 --> 00:27:32.783 align:middle line:10% Mm-hm. 00:27:32.783 --> 00:27:34.450 align:middle line:10% Is there anything else, Kamrun, that you 00:27:34.450 --> 00:27:37.280 align:middle line:10% would like to share with us? 00:27:37.280 --> 00:27:39.250 align:middle line:84% I really appreciate the opportunity 00:27:39.250 --> 00:27:42.010 align:middle line:84% you are providing in trying to reach out 00:27:42.010 --> 00:27:48.190 align:middle line:84% to different communities and try to document their stories. 00:27:48.190 --> 00:27:50.900 align:middle line:84% It really means a lot for our community. 00:27:50.900 --> 00:27:55.600 align:middle line:84% We are always seeing not all the positive news 00:27:55.600 --> 00:27:57.680 align:middle line:84% about different immigrant communities, 00:27:57.680 --> 00:28:00.730 align:middle line:84% how they are contributing, but we 00:28:00.730 --> 00:28:04.180 align:middle line:84% are proud to be part of this community we are living in. 00:28:04.180 --> 00:28:09.650 align:middle line:84% And we try to do as much as we can to make it better. 00:28:09.650 --> 00:28:12.030 align:middle line:90% Thank you for the opportunity. 00:28:12.030 --> 00:28:15.170 align:middle line:10% Thank you, Kamrun, for sharing your time and all 00:28:15.170 --> 00:28:17.520 align:middle line:10% your perspectives. 00:28:17.520 --> 00:28:20.990 align:middle line:10% They're so useful to just [AUDIO CUTS OUT] 00:28:20.990 --> 00:28:25.040 align:middle line:10% the pandemic and the several sort of [AUDIO CUTS OUT].. 00:28:25.040 --> 00:28:26.250 align:middle line:10% So thank you for that. 00:28:26.250 --> 00:28:29.000 align:middle line:10% And finally, we'll open it up for questions 00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:30.020 align:middle line:10% from the audience. 00:28:30.020 --> 00:28:32.517 align:middle line:10% And I know some of you. 00:28:32.517 --> 00:28:33.350 align:middle line:10% Some of you I don't. 00:28:33.350 --> 00:28:38.430 align:middle line:10% So thank you for joining, and I hope you continue to join us. 00:28:38.430 --> 00:28:41.810 align:middle line:10% And today let's ask Kamrun some questions if you have any. 00:28:41.810 --> 00:28:51.930 align:middle line:90% 00:28:51.930 --> 00:28:53.680 align:middle line:10% OK, we have a question here. 00:28:53.680 --> 00:28:54.820 align:middle line:10% "Thank you, Kamrun." 00:28:54.820 --> 00:28:55.970 align:middle line:10% No, not a question. 00:28:55.970 --> 00:28:57.400 align:middle line:10% OK. 00:28:57.400 --> 00:28:59.200 align:middle line:10% So Amber is saying-- 00:28:59.200 --> 00:29:00.250 align:middle line:10% Ruth Steele ... 00:29:00.250 --> 00:29:01.360 align:middle line:10% "Thank you, Kamrun. 00:29:01.360 --> 00:29:03.130 align:middle line:10% Asking this via chat since there's 00:29:03.130 --> 00:29:04.420 align:middle line:10% a lot of construction noise. 00:29:04.420 --> 00:29:05.410 align:middle line:10% I want--" OK. 00:29:05.410 --> 00:29:07.420 align:middle line:10% So I'm going to read out the question, Kamrun. 00:29:07.420 --> 00:29:11.410 align:middle line:10% "I wondered, with your work with Spreeha, 00:29:11.410 --> 00:29:13.240 align:middle line:10% if there is a particular challenge 00:29:13.240 --> 00:29:15.490 align:middle line:10% that you think you will be working on 00:29:15.490 --> 00:29:21.280 align:middle line:10% in coming weeks and months as the pandemic continues?" 00:29:21.280 --> 00:29:22.180 align:middle line:90% Thank you. 00:29:22.180 --> 00:29:22.680 align:middle line:90% Yes. 00:29:22.680 --> 00:29:27.660 align:middle line:84% So we have our annual fundraiser coming in September. 00:29:27.660 --> 00:29:33.570 align:middle line:84% Like any other organization, corporation, or nonprofit, 00:29:33.570 --> 00:29:35.010 align:middle line:90% there is a fund. 00:29:35.010 --> 00:29:39.790 align:middle line:84% And based on that yearly budget and fund, we allocate projects. 00:29:39.790 --> 00:29:42.390 align:middle line:84% So our biggest challenge this year 00:29:42.390 --> 00:29:45.390 align:middle line:84% is the beneficiary or the number of people 00:29:45.390 --> 00:29:52.710 align:middle line:84% who need our help are, I would say, 5 to 10 times more. 00:29:52.710 --> 00:29:58.060 align:middle line:84% But due to our social distancing and all the restrictions 00:29:58.060 --> 00:30:00.330 align:middle line:84% we are in, we will not be able to do 00:30:00.330 --> 00:30:03.210 align:middle line:84% any in-person fundraising, which used 00:30:03.210 --> 00:30:07.250 align:middle line:84% to be a big event for the whole year, 00:30:07.250 --> 00:30:11.010 align:middle line:84% because that gives us the opportunity to project and plan 00:30:11.010 --> 00:30:12.490 align:middle line:90% the next year. 00:30:12.490 --> 00:30:19.140 align:middle line:84% So we will be doing it online using Zoom and other platforms 00:30:19.140 --> 00:30:21.720 align:middle line:90% that we can use remotely. 00:30:21.720 --> 00:30:24.850 align:middle line:84% That is the biggest challenge and uncertainty. 00:30:24.850 --> 00:30:31.020 align:middle line:84% And that is a big anxiety on all of us as volunteers. 00:30:31.020 --> 00:30:33.600 align:middle line:90% We are volunteers. 00:30:33.600 --> 00:30:35.760 align:middle line:90% No payment is involved. 00:30:35.760 --> 00:30:41.460 align:middle line:84% But we really want to reach out to whoever is in need of those, 00:30:41.460 --> 00:30:46.690 align:middle line:84% because it is life and death for them. 00:30:46.690 --> 00:30:51.340 align:middle line:10% And Kamrun, we have another question from Amber. 00:30:51.340 --> 00:30:53.820 align:middle line:10% Can you read it in the chat? 00:30:53.820 --> 00:30:56.420 align:middle line:90% Let me open the chat. 00:30:56.420 --> 00:30:57.610 align:middle line:90% I didn't have it. 00:30:57.610 --> 00:31:04.680 align:middle line:90% 00:31:04.680 --> 00:31:07.750 align:middle line:10% Oh, and Catalina writes, "thank you 00:31:07.750 --> 00:31:09.410 align:middle line:10% so much for sharing your story. 00:31:09.410 --> 00:31:11.770 align:middle line:10% You're an important role model for resilience, 00:31:11.770 --> 00:31:14.470 align:middle line:10% generosity, especially for women." 00:31:14.470 --> 00:31:16.120 align:middle line:10% I could not agree more, Catalina, 00:31:16.120 --> 00:31:18.590 align:middle line:10% and thank you for coming. 00:31:18.590 --> 00:31:20.430 align:middle line:10% Kamrun, could you see Amber's question? 00:31:20.430 --> 00:31:20.930 align:middle line:90% Yes. 00:31:20.930 --> 00:31:22.870 align:middle line:90% So thank you, Amber. 00:31:22.870 --> 00:31:28.390 align:middle line:84% So at the beginning, I mentioned that the family where 00:31:28.390 --> 00:31:34.570 align:middle line:84% I was born and raised, the philosophy that my dad gave me 00:31:34.570 --> 00:31:38.500 align:middle line:84% is that when there is a challenge, 00:31:38.500 --> 00:31:41.590 align:middle line:90% you need to try harder. 00:31:41.590 --> 00:31:45.170 align:middle line:84% Things will never get easier for you. 00:31:45.170 --> 00:31:50.500 align:middle line:84% So if you feel anything that seems absolutely impossible, 00:31:50.500 --> 00:31:53.230 align:middle line:84% maybe you didn't try hard enough. 00:31:53.230 --> 00:31:54.700 align:middle line:90% So that's the philosophy. 00:31:54.700 --> 00:31:57.550 align:middle line:90% And sky's the limit. 00:31:57.550 --> 00:31:59.920 align:middle line:90% Never restrict yourself. 00:31:59.920 --> 00:32:04.000 align:middle line:84% Never let anybody tell you what you can or cannot do. 00:32:04.000 --> 00:32:07.270 align:middle line:84% So I think pushing yourself, trying 00:32:07.270 --> 00:32:14.170 align:middle line:84% harder, improve your skills, I mean, do whatever you can do. 00:32:14.170 --> 00:32:16.950 align:middle line:90% 00:32:16.950 --> 00:32:19.060 align:middle line:90% Don't focus on the hurdles. 00:32:19.060 --> 00:32:24.410 align:middle line:84% Focus on the achievements, so that that will keep you going. 00:32:24.410 --> 00:32:29.440 align:middle line:84% I never felt, even working in engineering, 00:32:29.440 --> 00:32:34.220 align:middle line:84% that I'm a female and things done to me 00:32:34.220 --> 00:32:36.940 align:middle line:84% may not be things done to a male worker, 00:32:36.940 --> 00:32:39.190 align:middle line:84% because if you focus on those things, 00:32:39.190 --> 00:32:41.980 align:middle line:90% you do not make progress. 00:32:41.980 --> 00:32:45.460 align:middle line:90% Those limits you, to me. 00:32:45.460 --> 00:32:48.670 align:middle line:84% You need to focus on what you can do, 00:32:48.670 --> 00:32:54.460 align:middle line:84% how you can make yourself so much better that you cannot be 00:32:54.460 --> 00:32:57.500 align:middle line:84% dispensed or you cannot be ignored. 00:32:57.500 --> 00:33:03.730 align:middle line:84% So that's how I try to pass my values to my community. 00:33:03.730 --> 00:33:05.740 align:middle line:84% Don't focus on the negative things. 00:33:05.740 --> 00:33:08.680 align:middle line:84% I can be portrayed as a Muslim woman. 00:33:08.680 --> 00:33:11.440 align:middle line:84% I can be portrayed in many negative ways, 00:33:11.440 --> 00:33:16.930 align:middle line:84% but it is my challenge to myself to show everybody 00:33:16.930 --> 00:33:19.510 align:middle line:84% around me that being an immigrant, 00:33:19.510 --> 00:33:21.670 align:middle line:84% being a Muslim woman, being an educated 00:33:21.670 --> 00:33:27.010 align:middle line:84% engineer, being a mom of two kids, we can do good things. 00:33:27.010 --> 00:33:27.910 align:middle line:90% We can do better. 00:33:27.910 --> 00:33:31.360 align:middle line:90% 00:33:31.360 --> 00:33:33.430 align:middle line:84% That is how progress is made, to me. 00:33:33.430 --> 00:33:36.010 align:middle line:90% 00:33:36.010 --> 00:33:36.760 align:middle line:90% Thank you. 00:33:36.760 --> 00:33:39.360 align:middle line:10% Wonderful response, as usual. 00:33:39.360 --> 00:33:40.870 align:middle line:10% Juliette gives you a clap. 00:33:40.870 --> 00:33:41.986 align:middle line:10% Thank you, Juliette. 00:33:41.986 --> 00:33:42.840 align:middle line:10% I appreciate it. 00:33:42.840 --> 00:33:43.790 align:middle line:90% Thank you. 00:33:43.790 --> 00:33:44.290 align:middle line:90% OK. 00:33:44.290 --> 00:33:45.280 align:middle line:10% I think there's a-- 00:33:45.280 --> 00:33:47.800 align:middle line:90% 00:33:47.800 --> 00:33:50.870 align:middle line:10% can you read the second question from Catalina? 00:33:50.870 --> 00:33:51.370 align:middle line:90% Sure. 00:33:51.370 --> 00:33:54.790 align:middle line:90% So how my children are doing. 00:33:54.790 --> 00:33:58.930 align:middle line:84% So I have a high schooler, ninth grader, 00:33:58.930 --> 00:34:02.680 align:middle line:84% and I have a fourth grader, a boy and a girl. 00:34:02.680 --> 00:34:07.050 align:middle line:84% It's very difficult to keep them socially isolated. 00:34:07.050 --> 00:34:13.690 align:middle line:84% Still positive, still motivated, still a little bit of progress 00:34:13.690 --> 00:34:16.270 align:middle line:84% even in summer on their academics. 00:34:16.270 --> 00:34:21.340 align:middle line:84% And the biggest challenge was what will be school in fall. 00:34:21.340 --> 00:34:26.260 align:middle line:84% So before joining this call, we got a confirmation 00:34:26.260 --> 00:34:29.469 align:middle line:84% from our Lake Washington School District 00:34:29.469 --> 00:34:32.139 align:middle line:84% that school will be fully online. 00:34:32.139 --> 00:34:36.290 align:middle line:84% So that's a huge relief for me as a parent. 00:34:36.290 --> 00:34:40.690 align:middle line:84% I really don't have much data to support 00:34:40.690 --> 00:34:45.040 align:middle line:84% that in-person schooling can be done at this point. 00:34:45.040 --> 00:34:48.520 align:middle line:84% All my research is telling me that we 00:34:48.520 --> 00:34:49.810 align:middle line:90% don't have enough data yet. 00:34:49.810 --> 00:34:54.920 align:middle line:84% Some countries tried and some of them had to stop it. 00:34:54.920 --> 00:34:58.150 align:middle line:90% So I believe let's take it easy. 00:34:58.150 --> 00:35:03.220 align:middle line:84% If the kids lost one year of proper schooling, 00:35:03.220 --> 00:35:06.640 align:middle line:84% if we try harder next year, we can make it up. 00:35:06.640 --> 00:35:08.920 align:middle line:10% But we all need to be healthy at this point 00:35:08.920 --> 00:35:13.960 align:middle line:10% and make each other less vulnerable, because you know, 00:35:13.960 --> 00:35:15.970 align:middle line:10% our kids are-- 00:35:15.970 --> 00:35:19.150 align:middle line:10% I cannot even imagine that we will be taking risks with 00:35:19.150 --> 00:35:22.230 align:middle line:10% our kids. 00:35:22.230 --> 00:35:23.220 align:middle line:90% I'm trying hard. 00:35:23.220 --> 00:35:24.150 align:middle line:90% It's hard. 00:35:24.150 --> 00:35:29.760 align:middle line:84% It's hard to keep them at home, motivated, and positive, 00:35:29.760 --> 00:35:32.800 align:middle line:90% and hopeful. 00:35:32.800 --> 00:35:35.080 align:middle line:10% And Kamrun, the second part of the question, which 00:35:35.080 --> 00:35:36.830 align:middle line:10% Catalina, actually, I think she responded, 00:35:36.830 --> 00:35:38.510 align:middle line:10% but she can do so in more detail also. 00:35:38.510 --> 00:35:39.830 align:middle line:10% "I'm sorry, I didn't hear you. 00:35:39.830 --> 00:35:41.210 align:middle line:10% How you ended up in PNW?" 00:35:41.210 --> 00:35:45.040 align:middle line:10% So from Texas to Pacific Northwest, 00:35:45.040 --> 00:35:48.560 align:middle line:10% why did you move and how? 00:35:48.560 --> 00:35:49.890 align:middle line:10% Or why you chose ... 00:35:49.890 --> 00:35:53.150 align:middle line:10% The language is how you chose Pacific Northwest. 00:35:53.150 --> 00:35:56.450 align:middle line:84% We always wanted to explore the coastal areas, 00:35:56.450 --> 00:35:58.770 align:middle line:90% like East Coast or West Coast. 00:35:58.770 --> 00:36:08.240 align:middle line:84% So I have some, I would say, anxiety about snow. 00:36:08.240 --> 00:36:11.150 align:middle line:84% So when we got the opportunity from Seattle, 00:36:11.150 --> 00:36:14.460 align:middle line:84% even though rain was a big concern, 00:36:14.460 --> 00:36:16.560 align:middle line:90% we wanted to give it a shot. 00:36:16.560 --> 00:36:20.330 align:middle line:84% But like many others, we thought we would be coming to PNW 00:36:20.330 --> 00:36:23.240 align:middle line:84% and then we will be moving to California. 00:36:23.240 --> 00:36:29.450 align:middle line:84% But living here in six years, you love Washington so much 00:36:29.450 --> 00:36:30.570 align:middle line:90% and you are stuck. 00:36:30.570 --> 00:36:33.280 align:middle line:90% You cannot move anywhere else. 00:36:33.280 --> 00:36:37.720 align:middle line:84% So I mean, the beauty PNW offers to you, 00:36:37.720 --> 00:36:41.050 align:middle line:90% it's unbelievable, right? 00:36:41.050 --> 00:36:46.610 align:middle line:84% And the second part of your question, how I manage 00:36:46.610 --> 00:36:48.750 align:middle line:90% from immigrant perspective. 00:36:48.750 --> 00:36:56.210 align:middle line:84% So I think if any person, any human being know their roots, 00:36:56.210 --> 00:36:59.660 align:middle line:84% then it gives them an extra edge. 00:36:59.660 --> 00:37:02.210 align:middle line:84% Like my kids, we are from Bangladesh, 00:37:02.210 --> 00:37:05.540 align:middle line:84% so I always try to take them to Bangladesh, 00:37:05.540 --> 00:37:08.570 align:middle line:84% meet their grandparents, show their values, 00:37:08.570 --> 00:37:10.650 align:middle line:90% and they come and visit us. 00:37:10.650 --> 00:37:16.100 align:middle line:84% So they are getting exposed to not only US cultures, but also 00:37:16.100 --> 00:37:19.710 align:middle line:84% some Asian cultures, different languages. 00:37:19.710 --> 00:37:22.160 align:middle line:84% So I never mentioned it to you, Dharitri, 00:37:22.160 --> 00:37:27.140 align:middle line:84% but I run a language school here in Washington for my community. 00:37:27.140 --> 00:37:30.470 align:middle line:84% And during the pandemic, we are having 00:37:30.470 --> 00:37:34.160 align:middle line:84% 35 students who are learning our language online. 00:37:34.160 --> 00:37:37.230 align:middle line:84% So it's a huge achievement for us. 00:37:37.230 --> 00:37:41.490 align:middle line:84% And through that school, we teach about their roots, 00:37:41.490 --> 00:37:44.990 align:middle line:84% about our culture, so they can connect better 00:37:44.990 --> 00:37:46.640 align:middle line:90% with their grandparents. 00:37:46.640 --> 00:37:48.810 align:middle line:90% To me, it's very important. 00:37:48.810 --> 00:37:50.690 align:middle line:84% And I see all my nephew and niece 00:37:50.690 --> 00:37:52.670 align:middle line:90% who are young professionals. 00:37:52.670 --> 00:37:55.110 align:middle line:84% And they go back, visit our country. 00:37:55.110 --> 00:37:56.740 align:middle line:84% They go to the countryside and try 00:37:56.740 --> 00:37:59.240 align:middle line:84% to connect with the countryside people 00:37:59.240 --> 00:38:02.660 align:middle line:84% to understand their perspective of the world. 00:38:02.660 --> 00:38:04.790 align:middle line:90% And it's amazing. 00:38:04.790 --> 00:38:07.850 align:middle line:84% So I always find it as a strength. 00:38:07.850 --> 00:38:10.130 align:middle line:84% I tell my son that you are learning Spanish 00:38:10.130 --> 00:38:13.250 align:middle line:84% in high school, you are learning Bengali at home, 00:38:13.250 --> 00:38:14.720 align:middle line:90% you know English. 00:38:14.720 --> 00:38:18.500 align:middle line:84% So imagine how much you are learning just 00:38:18.500 --> 00:38:21.020 align:middle line:84% from having this exposure to four or five 00:38:21.020 --> 00:38:22.170 align:middle line:90% different languages. 00:38:22.170 --> 00:38:25.550 align:middle line:84% And then learn Arabic as part of our religion. 00:38:25.550 --> 00:38:30.950 align:middle line:84% So I always show them as these above-and-beyond things 00:38:30.950 --> 00:38:31.920 align:middle line:90% that they are doing. 00:38:31.920 --> 00:38:37.690 align:middle line:84% And I think they are very proud of their heritage as well. 00:38:37.690 --> 00:38:38.190 align:middle line:90% Thank you. 00:38:38.190 --> 00:38:39.857 align:middle line:10% And it's good to hear about your school. 00:38:39.857 --> 00:38:42.960 align:middle line:10% I'm tempted to enroll my child because-- 00:38:42.960 --> 00:38:44.230 align:middle line:10% Kamrun is from Bangladesh. 00:38:44.230 --> 00:38:45.450 align:middle line:10% You're most welcome. 00:38:45.450 --> 00:38:49.620 align:middle line:10% I'm from Bengal in India, but we are both Bengalis. 00:38:49.620 --> 00:38:52.100 align:middle line:10% We speak the same language. 00:38:52.100 --> 00:38:53.740 align:middle line:10% You are most welcome. 00:38:53.740 --> 00:38:56.120 align:middle line:10% I would love to have her. 00:38:56.120 --> 00:38:59.480 align:middle line:10% Thank you so much, everyone, for asking the questions, 00:38:59.480 --> 00:39:01.080 align:middle line:10% your participation. 00:39:01.080 --> 00:39:04.200 align:middle line:10% And I think I'll give it over to Athena, if you have. 00:39:04.200 --> 00:39:05.540 align:middle line:10% And please continue to come. 00:39:05.540 --> 00:39:10.280 align:middle line:10% We have two more weeks, which is four more interviews. 00:39:10.280 --> 00:39:12.900 align:middle line:10% And after this, we are going to be 00:39:12.900 --> 00:39:15.422 align:middle line:10% sort of working on transcribing these videos, 00:39:15.422 --> 00:39:16.630 align:middle line:10% and they'll all be available. 00:39:16.630 --> 00:39:18.290 align:middle line:10% So yeah. 00:39:18.290 --> 00:39:19.640 align:middle line:10% Thank you again for coming. 00:39:19.640 --> 00:39:21.570 align:middle line:10% Athena, back to you. 00:39:21.570 --> 00:39:24.560 align:middle line:84% Thank you so much for another incredible conversation. 00:39:24.560 --> 00:39:26.980 align:middle line:84% Again, I'm grateful to be a part of it. 00:39:26.980 --> 00:39:27.480 align:middle line:90% Thank you. 00:39:27.480 --> 00:39:28.525 align:middle line:90% Today was wonderful. 00:39:28.525 --> 00:39:30.650 align:middle line:84% And I was going to ask you about the weeks to come, 00:39:30.650 --> 00:39:32.460 align:middle line:84% but you covered it, which is great. 00:39:32.460 --> 00:39:34.790 align:middle line:84% So yes, please do make sure to join us 00:39:34.790 --> 00:39:37.700 align:middle line:84% again for another wonderful conversation on Stories 00:39:37.700 --> 00:39:38.420 align:middle line:90% to Tell. 00:39:38.420 --> 00:39:40.340 align:middle line:84% Thank you so much to you both for today. 00:39:40.340 --> 00:39:41.390 align:middle line:90% Thank you. 00:39:41.390 --> 00:39:43.420 align:middle line:84% Thank you so much, Athena, for your support. 00:39:43.420 --> 00:39:44.020 align:middle line:90% Thank you. 00:39:44.020 --> 00:39:44.900 align:middle line:90% Oh, of course. 00:39:44.900 --> 00:39:45.900 align:middle line:90% Thank you. 00:39:45.900 --> 00:39:47.150 align:middle line:90% And thank you to our audience. 00:39:47.150 --> 00:39:48.470 align:middle line:90% You're very important to us. 00:39:48.470 --> 00:39:50.160 align:middle line:84% And we had wonderful questions today. 00:39:50.160 --> 00:39:50.660 align:middle line:90% Thank you. 00:39:50.660 --> 00:39:52.370 align:middle line:90% That was great. 00:39:52.370 --> 00:39:53.300 align:middle line:90% Good to see you all. 00:39:53.300 --> 00:39:54.710 align:middle line:90% And please do join us again. 00:39:54.710 --> 00:39:56.460 align:middle line:90% Have a wonderful afternoon. 00:39:56.460 --> 00:39:57.500 align:middle line:90% Thank you. 00:39:57.500 --> 00:39:59.400 align:middle line:90% Bye, everyone. 00:39:59.400 --> 00:40:00.710 align:middle line:90% Thank you. 00:40:00.710 --> 00:40:01.520 align:middle line:90% Goodbye 00:40:01.520 --> 00:40:03.070 align:middle line:90% Bye. 00:40:03.070 --> 00:40:20.000 align:middle line:90%