Alima
Born in 1974 in a small village called Shaharpara, Alima recounts rich memories and experiences of early life in rural Bangladesh.
Shaharpara was surrounded by fruit trees and Alima would often climb to the top of an old Jack fruit tree, trying to see the Himalayan mountain range on the distant horizon.
Alima recalls feeling a close sense of family and community in the village and she was very close to her uncles and remembers being in awe of her beautiful Grandmother, who despite being blind, always knew who walked into the room, just by their footsteps and smell.
There was strong awareness of safety in the village and Alima remembers being wary of wild animals, as well as hiding one time when bandits raided the village!
Wanting broader opportunities for their children, Alima’s parents moved the family to England in September 1981.
This was a huge change for 6 year old Alima, whose first impression of London was of how cold it felt! Alima also recalls being dazzled by the brightly lit billboards and thinking how strange it was to see the people in the advertisements wearing hardly any clothes…
Being such a small village, there was only one tiny school in Shaharpara, with just one room and one teacher for about 40 pupils.
Several teachers were hugely inspirational through Alima’s school years, with one in particular, Miss Birch, greatly encouraging Alima’s passion for drama and theatre.
Alima felt a great sense of freedom as a child, being able to play and explore around Shaharpara. This was a strong contrast to the life she would soon experience in London.
From her childhood love for her beautiful Grandmother in Bangladesh, to her current work as Chair for a local branch of Age UK, Alima has always held a strong care and affinity for older people.
Alima was born in 1974 in Shaharpara, a small village in rural Bangladesh.
Despite being afraid at the time, Alima has fond memories of her Dad teaching her to swim every Friday in this village lake.
Alima vividly remembers having to hide when bandits raided their village
Alima still has the treasured cooking pot and baskets that she used to play with as a child in Shaharpara.
Alima still loves to cook, although her culinary creations are perhaps a little more tasty these days!
“That became my motto in life - to make a difference”. The early challenges and upheaval of moving continents helped to fuel Alima’s passion for education, but it has also cemented a genuine care for the wellbeing of others and this has been reflected in her vocational choices.
Alima’s Dad kept a lot of mementos, including the original ticket stubs from their flight to London in 1981.
Having left behind her beloved community and the familiar freedom of village life in Bangladesh, early experiences of life in London were, at times very difficult.
As a family of 9, they stayed in the living room of her Father’s relative for some time and Alima expresses a feeling of being very dependent on the kindness of others. Alima’s family would eventually extend this same kindness to others who had just arrived in the UK.
Alima worked very hard to rapidly learn English and within a short time, she became the family translator, which, at the age of just 7 or 8 was a huge responsibility.
Knowledge and learning became a passion for Alima, who would spend countless hours reading books and discovering the wonders of language.
Alima’s Mum’s passport photo from when they arrived at London’s Heathrow Airport on Saturday 26th September 1981. Records show that the temperature in London was a relatively mild 13C at 7pm that day, but Alima remembers it felt freezing compared to Bangladesh, which has an average temperature of 32C during September.
“Alima has started reading and has progressed well. She tries hard and is always willing to work” -School report from 1982. Alima became very focused on education and would go on to excel in her studies.
“She is dependable and has a serious approach to her work” -School report from 1985, Alima’s first year in Central Foundation Girls’ School in Mile End Road, East London
