In a remote village of Bangladesh where war and poverty were a way of life
a young boy becomes an orphan at age 6. Afzal ("Raj") spent the next several years struggling to stay alive by working
in the rice fields, begging for food, and finding whatever shelter he could. At the age of 8 he contracted rheumatic
fever and things went from bad to bleak.
Then the miracles began...
Through sheer courage this young boy found his way to a larger city, and
then to a Missionaries of Charity compound. From there Raj was selected for medical treatment by Heal the Children.
While in Grand Rapids, MI, recovering from his surgeries, Raj's host family made the decision to adopt him. Raj again
had a family and, for the first time in his life, he also had the basics of life; food, clothing, shelter, and most importantly
- love!
The vision begins...
Since his arrival in America at the age of 12 Raj's life has been marked by a burning desire to share with
his former village the wealth he discovered in the U.S. But not just material wealth. Raj had learned of Christ's
love and wanted desparately to share the Good News with those who had considered him long since dead.
By the age of 18 Raj had saved enough to purchase a ticket to return "home." During his one month
visit he funded numerous roofs for homes, 2 wells for clean drinking water, and purchased medical and school supplies
- all with money he had personally earned. This trip and a second one several years later confirmed his calling to continue
assisting his former village.
Today, the Hakim Development Fund provides an avenue for those who wish to support Raj in the mission
to which God has called him.
