Bangladesh: The Bradt Travel Guide Book Launch party, 1 Oct, Dhaka, click poster to see full size

It was a long road to get here, one of the biggest challenges I have taken on in my life and one that I now feel very proud of. More importantly, I fully believe my guide is important for the wonderful people of Bangladesh — some of the kindest and most hospitable people our planet has to offer. It is my hope that more people visit Bangladesh to see the reality behind the veil, the truth behind Bangladesh’s horrible headlines.

Today I’d like to offer some of my friends and contacts the chance to purchase a signed copy of the guidebook, which I will send from London when I visit the Bradt Travel Guides office on 21 September.

One of the wonderful things I learned about Islam during my stay in Bangladesh is the concept of Zakat — which means giving alms to the poor. A good Muslim is supposed to donate 10 percent of his earnings to support widows, orphans and the poor,

After getting inspired by the book Three Cups of Tea, I decided want to take this chance to raise some funds for the Jaago Foundation, a Dhaka-based charity that Belinda and I have chosen to support with all of our book’s launch activities. The foundation supports the education of slum children in Rayer Bazaar, one of Dhaka’s poorest neighbourhoods.

Here’s a Jaago promotional video:

From Jaago’s website:

Basic sponsorship cost per child is a minimum of BDT 12,000 (US$180) annually, or you may pay installments of BDT 1000 monthly BDT 3000 quarterly or BDT 6000 half yearly (The amount of the sponsorship is increased from BDT 500 to BDT 1000 monthly). You also have the option to sponsor a project. The money received at our headquarters is forwarded for the betterment of the children. Eid and/or birthday money can be sent via headquarters.

My goal is to sponsor as many children as possible with my book-selling drive, so if you’ve been thinking of buying a book, there is no better time than now to help me support a few underprivileged children at the same time. But it would be ideal if I can get 60 books sold at USD$25.99 each, I will be able to support two children for an entire year of education.

You can use the button below to donate to the project and buy a book at the same time. Please add your shipping address if you’d like me to send you a signed copy of the book.

After you click the donation button, you’ll need to enter in the donation amount. The best price I can offer for the book is $20.00USD, which includes shipping to anywhere in the world. The listed price for the book is $25.99USD and although you can pick up the book more cheaply at Amazon, it won’t be signed and you won’t be supporting a good cause like Jaago.

So if you’re ready, please click the donation button and enter an amount of $25.99USD (if you donate more I’ll use the extra funds to support Jaago). You’ll be able to add your shipping details at Paypal.

Even if you’re not interested in buying a book, this is a chance to donate to the project, one that I have felt is extremely worthwhile and run by people who I trust very much.

Thanks for your help in advance!

Note: if you’re in Dhaka and receiving this message you’ll have a chance to support Jaago by coming to the book launch on 1 October at the Australian High Commission. Click here to learn more.