With bright decorations, dances, and lots of food, the girls hostel in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, celebrated a milestone this May: the opening of their newly renovated building! It was a significant day, attended by many who have been connected with the hostel over many years. The rebuild is not just about the bricks and mortar, but it represents a secure and stable future for the girls and young women who call this hostel home.
Located in north-central Bangladesh, the hostel provides a safe, warm environment and nutritious meals for girls and young women from rural and poor communities. Without this place, many would never have the opportunity to gain a formal education. The hostel, which is officially named "Moor Potter Memorial Girls Hostel” after an Australia missionary couple, has been operating since 1986. Arotahi, through its long-standing connection with the Bangladesh Baptist Christian Fellowship (BBCF), has been a proud and long supporter of this hostel and others across Bangladesh.
This rebuild was generously supported by churches here in Aotearoa New Zealand. They raised funds for the rebuilding of three hostels, including Mymensingh. These physical improvements do more than just provide a building, but it builds upon the relational foundation between Bangladesh and New Zealand Baptists.
Connection through Student Sponsorship
Beyond the rebuilding of the building, there are many ways that Arotahi continues to support the life of this, and other hostels managed by BBCF. These hostels are all located close to main schools so children who come from rural villages, and who have often experienced different forms of marginalisation, can access a quality education and discipleship.
Through Arotahi, there are opportunities to sponsor a student or to sponsor the hostel. Seeing people connect with the work of the hostels is incredible. Their support helps to build a more secure future with greater opportunities for those living in the hostels. Over the years, many of these students have gone on to be doctors, teachers, leaders in their community, and many other professions which use their skills in wonderful ways.
If you would like to know more about student sponsorship, please email [email protected]
Arotahi Build: a vision for the future
Arotahi Build is a big audacious initiative that is designed to create lasting mission sustainability, and will have long lasting impacts for families and the hostels in Bangladesh. The vision began with a generous bequest from Melva Taylor’s estate, who spent many years in Brahmanbaria, Bangladesh working alongside the community. Since then, this has grown with the generosity of others.
These funds have gone towards building homes here in Aotearoa New Zealand. These homes provide safe, warm, and affordable housing for families including former refugees, social housing tenants, and more.
The beauty of Arotahi Build is the sustainable loop it creates: the rental income from these New Zealand homes provides a steady, reliable stream of income to fund the hostels in Bangladesh. These are "homes that remain" as permanent assets that build security for local whānau while simultaneously nurturing lives across South Asia.
Arotahi is now inviting churches and individuals to help raise the funds to grow this initiative. If you are in Ōtautahi (Christchurch), we would love to invite you to have dinner with us and hear more on the 19 August! Not in Christchurch? Keep an eye out for other events closer to you…
You can buy tickets by emailing us at [email protected] or here https://events.humanitix.com/arotahi-build-or-homes-for-life
