Hank, John, and a Journey Through the Chittagong Hill-Tracts

[m1s73r4nd3rs0n]

I don't want to put a downer on the amazing work yourt doing but ...

Are the people you're working with "Jummas" ?, 'cos I heard that some of these people are seriously oppressed, see:

wwwDOTsurvivalinternationalDOT­org/films/massacrecht

or is the area you're working some distance from what's happening with the villages and temples where people are being massacred, burned alive, "ethnically cleansed". Genocide.

[UnculturedProject]

@m1s73r4nd3rs0n Your link leads to info about the Chittagong Hill-Tracts. And, yes, this is in the Chittagong Hill-Tracts.

[m1s73r4nd3rs0n]

@UnculturedProject, So have u heard of such atrocities ? I wouldn't b surprised if something like this was being blanket-silenced/ignored in th media as it's NOTin th interests of global market/profit-eers. If th land where trouble's occurring, holds no precious resource/military importance, as far as western interests r concerned it's wholly UN-interesting. If this were NOT th case then th UN's 1st job would've been2 intervene between China & Tibet in 1959. However 1nevr knows if reports r TRU

[UnculturedProject]

@m1s73r4nd3rs0n There is some violence in the area from what I've read. But, I think your information is out of date. There has been a peace treaty in place in the region for a few years now AFAIK.

[jeehoondevil]

1:28 Ms. Lalonde and Mr. Davis :D

[JON2871]

ive crossed bamboo bridges worser than that

lol

but good job with what you doing my man

[ORCHIDMARMA1]

You are look felt tired went to those remove place I am sorry, but good consequence. help and try to benefit on CHT Indigenous people it is the great wroth happiness get back supporter nextlife! If you need to help different part of CHT I will show you lot of orphanages. nice job wish you all the best!

Orchid Marma

[OMGyoumakemewannaLOL]

shut up crunkwithaskunk, he's gone to bangladesh, he doesnt live there you douchebag.

[aneianape]

what about other countries too...except for bangladesh....

very nice attempt...i hope u guys would continue this...good luck!!

[UnculturedProject]

Focusing on Bangladesh doesn't mean there isn't poverty elsewhere - it just means that's where I'm focusing :) If you're inspired, you could always bring attention to other just-as-important places :) Or even down the street by volunteering at a soup kitchen...

[UnculturedProject]

For the record, I'm blocking you not because you're calling me fat - but because your posting this comment on almost every video.

Clearly judging by your knowledge of Bengali (from your other comments), you must be familiar with Bangladesh and its poverty. But instead of commenting on that - you comment on my weight. Kudos on such important priorities.

[youdamannocuzidaman]

HI Shawn . My family lives in California, when we go to Bangladesh we donate clothes and money. Anyway great job !

[tgirlee]

One day I pray I can make great changes like these people do. No I think I'm gonna start right now!

[ashrafvai]

@tgirlee how tell me? i wanna too

[Rzamortis]

books/pencils > xbox 360

[ashrafulamin89]

@Rzamortis if dat is always so.. food > book/pencil... they are poor that doesn't necessaryly mean that they will always have food, and education instruments... they are humans and they have the right to be entertained also.

[heroforever007]

i do my bit on my own with support from my family and local velligers in bangladesh sylhet

[heroforever007]

sorry i took long to send you a message, sorry i do not have a web site,but i shall send you a message in the future if i decide to make a web site,thank you and please keep up the good work,just a sugestion but it may be better for the people in bangldesh if you could biuld some kind of flood protion wall along the rivers that well safe lives and stop people being homeless

[anambd1971]

great great great

[mmsadakat]

Great guys!! You are doing some awsome job!!hats off!!

[bruvacool]

HEY! those kids at the end had oriental'ish eyes. I wonder if they are of that type of descendance (if descendance is a word!!! lol). I'll be going to Chittagong in a couple of months from UK to see relatives. Should b interestin

[imtiaz82]

This part of Bangladesh is the transition point between South Asia and SE asia.That is why the features has commonality with both "indian" and "oriental"..

[heroforever007]

hi great job mate,i to have me own charity work in bangladesh just for kids

[UnculturedProject]

Awesome :) Sorry for not replying earlier. I was wondering, do you have a link to share about your work? I'd love to learn more.

[exemptedsoul]

salute 2 u guyz mannn!!!!

yeh i belong 2 diz plc....chittagong hill tracts n i belong 2 diz chakma tribe!!!

diz wat i dream 2 do sum day wat u guyz doin!!!

thnx mannn!!! i noe how thngz r thr!!!

dey need pplz lyk u man....dey r stil so lack behind!!!

gud job mann!!! thnx once agen!:D

[shazk17]

i would freak out so bad on the bridge :S

[Rigent]

Its fantastic what you are doing. The world could be a much more peachful place if we had more people like you.

[UnculturedProject]

Thanks but I think I'm not much more different than the very people who are enjoying watching (and supporting) this project.

I think there's a phrase that says it best "we're the ones we've been waiting for" :-)

[FWNiightmare]

ya nerdfighters

[JokerVA]

I was born in Bangladesh =) Dhaka

[AllegraLegsLoves]

Gosh, I love Nerdfighters

xD

Shawn, you rock.

People like you are my insperation. I KNOW I'll be doing this when I'm older and can legally leave the country. xD

[songsfromahat]

The clip of you teaching the kids the nerdfighter sign made me tear up a little.

Rock on Shawn! Thanks for all of your amazing efforts.

[UnculturedProject]

Thanks Abby :)

This is very much a Nerdfighter effort. I'm just the lucky guy to be on the frontlines of this :-)

[thecampustv]

Shawn, it's Rudy we connected on Facebook before.  Great going with this one man; I really like the cc music addition.

Rock on!

[chocolatecauldrons]

Hey Shawn, did I tell you I got an A+ in my Uncultured Project Project? :) Because I did. Thanks for another video!

[UnculturedProject]

Oh awesome :) I was wondering about that - congrats!

[1Shadab]

Shawn - Amazing stuff. Riddle me this - is the name of the woman with the laptop Jean Sack? I met her two weeks ago at D.C. If so, then is your companion her husband David Sack?

[UnculturedProject]

Nope and nope :-)

How did your event with Prof Yunus go? I remember you said you'd try and help me network with that organization. Still no luck getting my foot in the door with them...

[u2bclarice]

Hi Shawn. Love you and your work. when the stupid stuff gets me down I tune in and get straight on what really matters in this world. // have you heard of BRAC? For the second time in one day I learned about Chittagong - it was mentioned in the June 2 issue of Forbes (yah, that Forbes!) in an article about Fazle Hasam Abed and his org BRAC (p 66).  Maybe you could connect with them. Blessings ...

[UnculturedProject]

I've tried to get BRAC involved. They were willing to help if there were no cameras involved. When I mentioned cameras - they pulled the rug out on a joint operation. I'm rather annoyed by that...

[u2bclarice]

oh bummer! of course privacy and dignity are paramount, but that's what you're all about. maybe you're encountering the sensibilities of another generation?? press on man, you are your own NGO!! (have you seen Here Comes Everybody by Shirky? have THEY seen UTube?)

[notashot]

I'm a little confused. Are you going to give them the money? Where would they spend it?

[UnculturedProject]

Hey Dave - yeah, this was very much a new experience for me. I tend to purposely avoid giving out money itself because it seems too much like a handout. I decided to give this a try after consulting with Rick Davis and the director of the NGO helping this village.

The reason I decided to give money is because they have flexibility and control as to how it can be spent. A few things on their list include: tuition, books, medical supplies, and fixing a leaky roof.

[UnculturedProject]

And, even though this place is remote, it was still possible to go to school, buy books and medical supplies. For example, when the family got malaria - they were able to get to a doctor, get blood tests, and get anti-malaria meds in time to save their lives.

And since this was such a large financial contribution - and this was really the first time I was touching PayPal donations - I double checked with Hank and John (who made this contribution) to see if they were comfortable on the idea.

[licnep1]

It's a very good idea to make people see where their money goes.

Best wishes to all of you

[UnculturedProject]

Hey - it's been a while since I heard from you :-)

This is the first time I've touched the PayPal donations and so this was very much a learning experience for me. I'm going to try my best to show where the money goes. It's going to be easy for large donations like this. For smaller donations, I might need to lump them together.

And it also depends on how this project goes. I've been bogged down with some illness earlier last month and that slowed things down.

[dark420bishop]

Nerd Fighters!!! w00t!!!  :D

[soumen13]

This is really incredible, Shawn. It really takes a big heart and a lot of love to do what you are doing. Thanks a lot for spreading the love. God bless you and wish you all the best.

[AskCarrieLee]

Shawn, that's a pretty scary looking bridge. You take care of yourself! :)

[UnculturedProject]

haha - Actualy Carrie-Lee, I was kind of scared when I saw your video where you showed how you fly to work everyday. That plane didn't seen that big and I know the New England rain, wind, and snow can get pretty heavy. So here's the deal - you stay in those skies and I'll try my best to stay safe on the ground here :)

[AskCarrieLee]

Yeah, it's a deal... However, talk to the owner of the airline... he's the worst pilot of the bunch.

[DeekayOXM]

u see dats the poor part of BD....ppl who are from the rich part dont hv to go through that stuff,

[Fr33artist]

Awesome work, keep it up Shawn and Co

[Mel1334]

very nice~ you are made of win~

[OhMagnolia]

I can't believe you actually made it across that bridge.

[hyrcan]

Awesome. With my luck I would have fallen in with my camera! hehe

[roflmaterial]

u smell bad

[YouBumAssNigga]

the video quality of this video is amazing

[beeeebeep]

Kudoskudoskudos. We also heard of you through the vlogbrothers. Keep up the incredible ideas and work, and you will be in our prayers! :)

-Lexie and Becca

[12345aliali]

اللهم العن عمر و ابو بكر و عمر و عثمان و عمر و عائشة و عمر و حفصة و عمر و معاوية و عمر و يزيد و عمر و شمر و عمر و اتباع عمر و عمر اللهم العن عمر اللهم العن عمر اللهم العن عمر اللهم العن عمر و ابو بكر و عمر و عثمان و عمر و عائشة و عمر و حفصة و عمر و معاوية و عمر و يزيد و عمر و شمر و عمر و اتباع عمر و عمر اللهم العن عمر اللهم العن عمر اللهم العن عمر

[UnculturedProject]

Say what?

[xanish]

0:41... hank's name is william? whaaaaaaaa?

[riky280193]

questo video fa cagare il cazzo

[UnculturedProject]

y tu mama tambien?

[pozatree]

This reminds me of the super adventure club on south park! Anyone one else think so lol?

[virtualcoxsbazar]

What you are doing is really great. One needs to go to rural area in Bangladesh to know what poverty really means. One can make a huge impact

in the lives of rural people by donating.

[jennabunnykins]

If there were more people like you in the world, we would without a doubt be living in a much better place. Kudos to you for this amazing act of kindness and inspiration.

[galine3]

ΑΔΕΡΦΙΑ ΜΟΥ ΚΥΠΡΙΟΙ ΟΣΟΙ ΘΕΛΕΤΕ ΝΑ ΒΟΗΘΗΣΕΤΕ ΣΤΟ ΝΑ ΜΟΙΡΑΣΤΟΥΝ ΦΥΛΛΑΔΙΑ..ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΠΑΤΡΙΔΑ ΜΑΣ ΕΝΗΜΕΡΩΣΤΕ ΜΕ......ΤΟ ΣΥΝΤΟΜΟΤΕΡΟ.....ΟΣΟΙ ΔΕΝ ΕΧΟΥΝ ΜΕΛΑΝΙ......ΓΙΑ ΕΚΤΥΠΩΣΗ ΕΧΩ ΚΑΙ ΑΛΛΗ ΕΙΣΗΓΗΣΗ ΕΠΙΚΟΙΝΩΝΗΣΤΕ ΜΑΖΙ ΜΟΥ

[1Day2BeAwesome]

Shawn, you're seriously such an inspiration! <3 Not only are you inspiring us here, on youtube, you're bringing hope to people who need it most. <3 <3 Much love to you and stay safe and well. No getting sick again. <3

Hugs,

-B

[graffitisky18]

Lol, not as safe as it looks! Glad you made it. I can't wait to see how things went for you. Nice job teaching the NerdFighter sign!

[DanTheMan7772]

Your videos are incredibly inspiring. Keep up the amazing work.

[T4M18]

I know a lot of people have said that you are doing a wonderful thing and an amazing job. And I want to be one of those people! The things you do are absolutely heroic and admirable. Thank you!

[ShadowtheKid]

you are good people

keep it up and God will defintely bless you.

[gorrjess]

Omg, you seriously make me want to cry because you're SO important in this world. The impact you make, with the simple donation of ONE x-box 360 is just phenomenal. Way to decrease world suck and I can't wait to see exactly where that money took you.

[readaryan]

god bless you

[Issicra]

Wow

[hekma]

chittagong hill tracts ! i used to live there .... take care of yourself dude

[partyweetow]

That is awesome! I wish I could do something like that.

[indieabby88]

Wow! It's really exciting to see this money in action! What you're doing is really admirable. Keep it up!

[asmileyoucantwipeoff]

this is so so so so great. it certainly puts everything in perspective, especially the bamboo bridge.

[shadling21]

yay!! i love these vids. keep up the great work =)

[camediainc]

hey shawn,

remember to TAKE THE MALARIA MEDICINE. That's my short advice. I'm so happy that you got hooked up with those 'experienced' peace corp people... 'admirable boomers' I'd call them.  Thanks for this update. Reminds me of villages in alaska I've visited where I guess you'd have to say people are 'poor'... but that's only about 5% of who they are.

you are an inspiration.

and thanks to alan for more great editing.

dad 1.0

(uh, that would be john and hank's dad)

[UnculturedProject]

Alan is great at video editing but I actually edited this myself. The internet here isn't reliable and fast enough to send raw footage. I was just having trouble uploading to the YouTube website - I tried so many times. So instead I sent the file to Alan, who logged into my account from the states and uploaded it for me. :-)

[UnculturedProject]

I feel like an idiot for not mentioning this in my first reply. But it's an honor to be able to hear from Dad 1.0 :-) I can't thank Hank and John enough for everything they've done for me.

And, I have to shamefully admit, I actually didn't take any malaria medicine thus far. For long term stays you aren't supposed to take preventative medication as your body builds a resistance to the drugs. And we were in the malaria hot zone for only 72 hrs so the PeaceCorps vets and I decided to go without.

[puffer813]

love every second of it. In your earlier videos you seemed like you were warning us not to get our hopes up. But, now you appear to have jumped in with both feet. Hope it is starting to feel rewarding. keep it up.

[Tessita88]

Awesome, can't wait to see what's next!

[Jasb93]

Man this is not the place dumb ass

[CalebICT]

So very cool! It's always good to see where your money goes. I have never felt more confident that my money will go to someone who needs it!

Cheers to you!

[HEarl114]

I wouldn't describe that as bridge, but atleast health and safety hasn't come and made it boring yet

[creolan]

I'm new to your blog and videos. Let me first say you are doing very admirable work. Something many fortunate people people should involve themselves in or at least be aware of. One thing that I've noticed (that I highly support) is that you use your donations within the communities you're working in. You don't "outsource" for your donated goods. I think that alone is helping 2 causes at once.

[UnculturedProject]

Well, I try my best to get as hands on as possible. But, I do try and get an NGO or charity involved if I can. Charities and NGOs are here in the community 24/7 and can help make sure anything I give makes a lasting difference.

[morot172]

I do seriously don't know any person who contains more awesome than you. Take care.

[timidgothica]

it's absolutely amazing what you are doing! keep it up.

[willowtreephoto]

hope you are feeling much better.

thank you for doing this.

you give perspective

and bring light to the complexities of poverty.

great job.

[Onthebrokenroad]

Great video :) that bamboo bridge looked scary lol. Keep up the good work!x

[TimeEffect]

God Bless you guys, most inspiring and important thing I've seen on Youtube.

[ghostwritten87]

wow, another fab video :) its so great to see someone actually going out there and doing something, and being our eyes to the wider world as well. This type of thing is exactly why i love youtube.

[papplegrassbracelet]

thanks for risking it to get that footage! i'm so happy to see what you are upto, seeing that you are still pushing forward and helping be the Change you want to see.

peace to you. stay safe

kd

[Readera]

The kid trying to do the nerdfighter sign is soooo cute!

[Clairona]

You sir, are an amazing person.

You've utterly inspired me.

Keep doing what you're doing.

WOW.

:D

[Nawaz101]

lol your videos inspire i am bengali myself when you were crossing the bridge you could of used a bangladeshi boat i think its called a noka or something like that i cant remember but im sure i was on one when i was little and my mum told anyway thx for inspiring me keep up the great work

[UnculturedProject]

I think, since it was low tide and not rainy season, that the river wasn't that deep. I wouldn't have drowned but probably would have just got a bit hurt and maybe damaged my equipment. I don't think the river was deep enough for a boat...

[aidansmommy]

I love it Shawn! I can't wait to see the next video! I love the fact that you are teaching them the NF sign. Tiny NFs are the best! I hope you are feeling better.

[malloryspiderwick]

That was so awesome! I have been waiting for an update from you, Sean. Kick ass - keep up the great work - we are all living vicariously through you. :-)

[UnculturedProject]

Yeah sorry for the delay - I had a few bumps this past month (mostly an illness I was recovering from) that kind of delayed things.

[papplegrassbracelet]

yuck - hope you're feeling like yourself again! take care!!!

[testing4echo]

very true

[pointlessjudjment]

this is completely MADE OF AWSOME!!!!

and in the begining it sounded a bit like rambo.

[canuckinnyc]

I think that you are absolutely amazing for what you are doing. Truly inspiring! Keep being awesome!!

[OorAcHiEoO]

Wow. All of your videos are amazing.

The lady at the end looked so happy,

You're doing a great job!

[PuppetSmile]

Some of that money should go toward constructing a more stable bridge in my opinion. o.O

Also, I noticed that you were showing a kid the sign of the Nerd Fighter. We approve, sir! :D

Right... Carry on...

[UnculturedProject]

I completely agree. But this is a flood-prone area. The bridge would have to be really a large scale operation. You know like the kind of bridges you see in highway overpasses - it would have to be high, concrete, steel, and flood proof. It would cost more than the donations available I'm afraid :-(

[PuppetSmile]

Oh well, that's a shame, but it's good to know that you're doing the best you can with those donations.

[sugabee123]

i find it so amazing that you are doing something like that! you are a great peer and an awesome mentor for everyone. you make me want to do what you are doing because we are talking about thin subject in scocail studies and how we can help. i think we have built 2 wells already :D

[AikoShrek]

Great update as always, really looking forward to donating!

[daking5188]

Pretty sweet stuff. That bridge looked dangerous. Was that river deep? What would have happened if you fell in?

[UnculturedProject]

I think the bridge was over the deepest part of the river. But it was low tide and not the rainy season - so if I fell in I'd probably just ruin my camera equipment but I wouldn't drown.

In fact, there were a few shallow spots in the river that you could cross and just get wet up to your knees. I actually posted that as a deleted scene in my other channel (its one of the video responses to this video).

[kitkatqueen]

i'm still shocked over the bridge... its not until you actually see it that you understand.

first year engineering students from all over australia have researched low cost bridges for use in cambodia through the engineers without borders challenge.

if small projects like yours continue maybe we can eventually have the bigger stuff too.

[UnculturedProject]

Yeah, in one of the deleted scenes I posted as a video response to this video Rick (the teacher I was traveling with) suggested that this whole area probably floods during monsoon season. That bridge may have only been a seasonal construction.

I also kind of feel bad because, I accidentally broke one of the strings of the bamboo "railing" on my return trip back. It was either that or lose my balance and fall.

[petecorn]

Brilliant...keep it up!

[valerie2776]

Awesome, awesome awesome. You sir, are an inspiration.

[angusMCjamison]

wonderful. you are inspiring to many many people around the world. hopefully some of them will be influential politicians :) - with the right attitude.

[AeonRider]

Nice work. ;)

[killert00thbrush]

Great stuff. =)

[KimberlyAnne618]

awesome. always excited to see your updates!

[Zed2six]

I'm going to share this video with as many people I can.

[HotPiratesWench]

keep on going, you're an inspiration!

[josepharte]

Excellent work! Just stupendous!

[vlogbrothers]

How has this still not been approved? Ridiculous! We approve it; we approve it; we approve it. Come on, youtube. -John