Arafat Alam Ratul , a boy of 13 year old now, was born to a middle class family at Bogra, Bangladesh. He started his schooling at Bogra Young Men’s Christian Association Kinder Garten School. He studied there up to 5th Grade- the last tier at this school. Then he moved to Bogra Police Line High English School. His academic results were outstanding.

At the age of nine he complained about his right eye sight and was taken to various local doctors and was under medication for quite a long time but no improvement was noticeable but his growth was stunned noticeably, hence he was taken to Dhaka, the capital for better treatment . His C.T. scan was done and it was found that he had a tumor in his brain. His family has staked almost all of their possessions to meet the expenses for his treatment and they were advised to take him to India for further treatment. Neighbors came to help him generously and he was taken to Apollo Speciality Hospital, Chennai, India and was admitted in the Department of Radiology & Imaging Science as a patient of Dr. Sidhartha Ghosh, M.ch (NEUR), Aopollo Speciality Hospital, 320, Mount Road, Chennai-600035. His operation was carried out between 22.10.2005 and 05.11.2005. At the time of discharge he was advised to come again for radiation therapy treatment at the earliest probably after one month for which he needs to be in Chennai for a period of three months . Funds constrain prevented him to go to Chennai with in one month as the hospital indicated that the further expenses will come between Bangladesh Taka 500,000.00 to 700,000.00 (US $ 8929.00 to $12500.00) which is an enormous amount for his parents and near and dear ones.

However with the help of generous people and selling out all that he had, arranged for about Tk 200,000.00 and is right now at the above hospital and which has been kind enough to let him in with the part deposit fee in their hospital but the final payment has to be made soon enough.

In this connection I appeal to the conscience of the philanthropists/donors, and particularly foreign donors to come to the aid of young Ratul in his very trying time.

Hasan Mohiuddin Ahmed
National Disease Surveillance Center
World Health Organization, Bangladesh Chapter.

*Hasan Mohiuddin Ahmed is a first cousin of Ratul and a long time dear friend of Khurshid Meher Tonmoy. This appeal is as much from Hasan Mohiuddin as it is from Khurshid Meher Tonmoy. Your cooperation is deeply appreciated.

It is needless to say that charity knows no bounds. Even an amount of 500 yen (approximately 250 Taka) may come in a long way to help leverage the awesome burden. Therefore, feel free to contribute at any rate you find reasonable from your end. We are immensely thankful to all of you who are in a position to contribute and of course to those of you who are not being able to contribute materially but will have Ratul in their prayers. Thank you.