Meet Rebeka ...

27-year-old Rebeka Khatun, our Monitoring and Evaluation Officer in Bangladesh, started her working life teaching English whilst completing a National University course at Birampur Women’s College. After qualifying she started working as a graphic designer but became ill and later had a stroke. During her recovery, Rebeka was reassessing her career and what she wanted to do and decided that she wanted to “do something to help people.” 

In 2018 she joined World Vision Bangladesh as a Data Management Assistant, at this time World Vision were beginning their Rohingya refugee response programme in Cox’s Bazar. Rebeka and her team worked alongside Rohingya families in the refugee camps and she noticed that many of the families were encouraging their children to work instead of going to school. After seeing this Rebeka decided that she wanted to help Rohingya children to have an education... 

In 2021 a job opportunity arose with our partners in Bangladesh - Mukti Cox’s Bazar - and Rebeka joined the organisation as Monitoring and Evaluation Officer. ​

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We spoke to Rebeka about her job, what her role entails and some of her memorable moments whilst working in Kutupalong.

Tell us about your role as Monitoring and Evaluation Officer? 
As a Monitoring Officer, I have a huge range of responsibilities including assessments and surveys, data collection, analysis and reporting.  I train volunteers and Project Officers, and work closely with the Children on the Edge UK team. I visit the learning centres and collect data about the children, the teachers and the quality of the education programme. 

What do you like best about your job? 
I feel proud to have the opportunity to work on this project. Seeing the smiles on the faces of these kids warms my heart. I think I am actually doing something in life. ​

What are your most memorable moments, working in the camp? 
One of my favourite memories is when I helped with a book distribution for the children. They were so happy. Many had never seen a book before. It made me happy to see them happy. 

But one of the funniest moments I have had whilst working in the camp was the very first time I visited a learning centre, I suddenly fell on the bamboo bridge because it was broken. Some of the children saw and were laughing, it made me laugh too. I often give the children chocolates, and they started to call me ‘Chocolate Apa’ (Apa means ‘older sister’) which is funny. ​

All of the Learning Centres use a digital curriculum, which is always very popular with the children. Why are digital lessons so important?  
I’ve visited all of the learning centres and have seen that the digital programme is very important for the children, it’s the easiest way for them to understand the lessons. The digital lessons help to change their futures, without education no-one can improve their lives. The digital programme also allows the children to participate and express themselves. The children love to see the videos, when we ask them about their feelings it is magical to see their reactions. Child participation gives the children a sense of belonging and is crucial to the building of their identity; it sends a powerful message to the Rohingya community. It’s one that says you are important. You belong. ​