PhD Student Ashraf Ali sends an update from Bangladesh:
"As part of my PhD dissertation now I am conducting my ethnographic research among the different ethnic communities in Rangamati, Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), in Bangladesh.
The research project concerns the development issues including, microcredit, health, education, skills training, livelihoods, food habits and other socioeconomic activities of the peoples in Rangamati. It focuses on how people of this locality perceive development and socioeconomic change, how different ethnic and socioeconomic status group view contemporary development activities in this locality. It also explores the relationships among different groups of people in sharing natural resources, access to opportunities (e.g. microcredit/loans, jobs, healthcare, education, etc.), and people's expectations about socioeconomic change in the community".
Ashraf is from Bangladesh, and this trip back home is particularly special because he has met his son for the first time. Ananno was born in October, while Ashraf was in Edmonton.