I went to Bangladesh in Jan, 2008. My favorite moment there was seeing all the kids from every window in the orphanage waving goodbye and telling us to come back soon. That was also the moment I promised myself I would return to Bangladesh just to visit them again. The last place we went was the slums. This was a very different experience. In many regards what I saw that day is what motivates me to work hard, whether at school or around the house. I often tell myself that soon the hard work I’m doing now will put me in a position to help improve the lives of people in Bangladesh. I know that all of us who witnessed the terrible living conditions in the slums share a desire to make a real difference. –Shantalle Alam Skokie, IL.