Context
Shakespeare Lives was the British Council’s major cultural programme for 2016. It was a global celebration of the life and works of William Shakespeare on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of his death. To celebrate Shakespeare Lives, Bangladesh's Dhaka Theatre and the UK's Graeae Theatre Company presented ‘A Different Romeo and Juliet’ at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on 28 and 29 March 2016. The production was a part of a wider British Council project that empowers people with disabilities through theatre workshops exploring identity and sense of self-worth. This was a truly unique project as it was performed by 14 highly talented artists with disability. This project empowered people with disabilities. Here is a story of differently abled Jannatul Ferdous whose life changed after starring in the play.
How the British Council helped me to discover a new horizon
Hi! I am Jannatul Ferdous. I am 24 and live in Dhaka. My mom told me that when I was a small kid, I had a very strong fever once. After that, I could neither speak nor hear a word. Being a kid, I never understood why I could not speak or hear anything. I thought this is how all the kids were. I was sent to a school and slowly understood that I was not like everyone else. I did not get any bad treatment but I had trouble to understand a lot of things.
One day, a neighbour told my mom about the school for the differently abled. My mom got me admitted there. I made new friends and I learned proper sign language. Slowly my communication became easier and I started leading a better life. I have a small earning source. I do decorative paintings and henna design on the bride’s hand. Although I don’t know about the future but I have the interest to work in the Arts sector. Apart from my little income source if I get a chance I also want to add acting to my profession. Currently, I am working as a library assistant in the British Council's Library team, this is a new experience for me and I am already enjoying this new role.
I am unmarried and I am not sure what will happen to me after I get married. I am not sure if my in-laws will allow me to play characters in the theatre. But certainly, I want to keep acting in the theatre and continue my Art works because ‘A Different Romeo and Juliet’ changed my life and turned me into a better, more confident person. My ways can be different but now I know where my passion lies and I can do anything I want.