AHMED

When Zannatul Ferdusi is asked what prompted her and her husband, Kamal Uddin  Ahmed, to move their family from Bangladesh to Edmonton, her response is straightforward. 

“We moved [here] for our children’s futures,” she says. “There is lots of struggling and issues [in Bangladesh]... There is a better future in Canada than in [Bangladesh].”

Life in Bangladesh was very different from what Zannatul and her family have come to expect in Edmonton. Bangladesh is the eight-most populated nation on the planet. With a higher population density than both neighbouring India and China, life in Bangladesh could get a bit crowded for Zannatul’s liking. 

“In [Bangladesh], there is so much traffic. If you want to go somewhere, it should take you 15 minutes, but you have to stay on the road for one hour. ”

For Zannatul, the traffic in Edmonton is a respite. 

“There is almost no traffic here,” she says with a smile. “When I go outside [here], I feel comfortable.”

Zannatul and Kamal’s primary concerns, however, where the effects that growing up in Bangladesh would have on their sons.

“They [grew] up with very conservative ways. They [had] to go to school, they [had] to go to tutors. They were always busy with their studies and education. We are both service workers, so we had to spend most of our time in an office environment, not with them. The education system is different. Every year, they have to do an exam. They have to study lots, lots, lots. There isn’t that much of a possibility for free time. If I want it, I have to spend lots of money. Otherwise, it is not possible.”

Zannatul contrasts this with the opportunity for free time and leisure activities that living in Edmonton has provided her sons.

As an example, she mentions the service provided by Free Footie to her son, 10-year old Ahmed Farhan Borno. 

Ahmed, who is entering fourth grade at Ivor Dent School in the Rundle Heights neighbourhood, was enrolled into Free Footie by his teacher after seeing his passion for soccer and exercise. 

“[My mother and I] noticed that he liked soccer when he was in preschool.” Zannatul observes. “He’s very passionate about it.”

“I think it’s a good thing for a child, for his mental and physical growth.”

Zannatul is grateful for the outdoor activity and fun provided by Free Footie for kids like Ahmed.

“We are very grateful to them, because children need something to be passionate about, they have to develop themselves, so that kind of opportunity is very useful for us.”

“So thanks Free Footie, for these types of activities!”

Written by: Stefan Salegio