Umme Hani Rafa

“My name is Umme Hani Rafa, and I am from Mistripara Camp in the city of
Saidpur. Currently, I am 14 years old and I am studying in the 9 th grade. My
father is a day laborer and my mother is a housewife.

I got admitted to OBAT’s Tutoring Center when I was in 7 th grade in January
2017. In the same year, I got admitted to OBAT’s IT Center- that was my first
experience in operating a computer. I learned basic and advanced skills such
as Office Application, Graphics Design, and programming languages.

I participated in the first national-level programming contest in Bangladesh last
year in the Nilphamari district. It was held at our school, Saidpur Pilot Girls
High School & College. I attained the 1st position in the entire Nilphamari
District. As a result, I was invited to Dhaka for the final round of ‘National Child
& Youth Programming Contest-2018’ at Sheikh Hasina Youth Development
Center. The competition was held in June 2018. In the final round, I achieved
12th Position in the country. A wonderful reception was held in October 2018
where I was awarded by the honorable ICT & Telecommunication Minister of
Government of Bangladesh, Mr. Mostafa Jabbar and the state minister of ICT
division, Mr. Junaid Ahmed Palak.

I could never have imagined that I would achieve such an honor. I can’t
express adequately how supportive OBAT has been of me. I could not acquire
computer skills myself as it was too expensive to learn in local training
centers.

When I had to travel to Dhaka for the reception, there was a bus and
train strike in the Saidpur-Dhaka route. OBAT paid for my air ticket to reach
Dhaka- it was my first ever journey via a plane. That was unbelievable for me!
This year when I met the ICT minister again, I never expected that he would
remember me. He placed his hand on my head with affection and told me,
‘You are like my granddaughter.”

I am acquiring many skills due to the support from OBAT. I am serving as
Office Secretary of OBAT’s Think Tank and am developing my management
skills through this experience. I also teach in OBAT’s Adult Literacy Program
and by doing so, I am improving so much in teaching, communicating with and
managing people. I am also a part-time trainer of the junior batches of
students at OBAT’s IT Center.

I will forever be thankful to OBAT because it has changed my life and it is also
changing many other people’s lives. Thank you so much to the entire OBAT
team for standing by me and a special thanks to Mr. Anwar Khan for his great
and noble endeavor.

I want to become a computer programmer and currently, I am learning to be a
specialist in Python Programming at OBAT’s IT Center, Saidpur. Please
always keep me in your prayers.”