If you’ve ever wondered who’s writing these posts, it’s me, Robin Seyfert, founder of Basha.

Last month marked 19 years since I first arrived in Bangladesh, and it has me reminiscing about those early days. So much that once felt new and overwhelming has now become everyday life! It seems like the perfect time to share some of those first impressions—the people, the country, and the traditions that eventually wove together into the beginnings of Basha.

I landed in Dhaka at 5:30 a.m. on August 25, 2006. I expected it to be hot, but I wasn’t prepared for the wall of steam and humidity that hit me the moment I stepped off the plane. Bleary-eyed and jetlagged, I tried to take it all in as we met our team, sampled local food, and rushed from one meeting to the next.

The very next morning, still running on little sleep, I joined two other new arrivals for a whirlwind trip outside the city. I’ll be honest—I was not prepared for Bangladeshi driving! Our vehicle swerved around rickshaws, cows, vendors, and people crossing in every direction. It felt like a rollercoaster that just never ended.

At each stop, however, we were welcomed with open arms, endless cups of tea, and of course, mishti—the delicious sweets of Bangladeshi (think donut hole soaked in syrup!). The hospitality here is truly unmatched.

Some of the places we visited were Mennonite Central Committee’s livelihood projects. MCC had already been creating enterprises and employment for decades. I loved seeing the women’s handicrafts—handmade paper, bags from recycled chip wrappers and newspaper, and so much more.

I didn’t realize it at the time, but those visits planted the seed that would eventually grow into Basha. I witnessed how meaningful work transformed lives—how women who once had so few choices could suddenly make decisions, provide for their families, and even change the trajectory for their children.

Fueled by tea and sugar, dazzled by the countryside, and inspired by the artisans I had met, I thought my adventure was off to a perfect start. That is, until I had to endure the bumpy, dizzying ride back to Dhaka! By the time we arrived, I collapsed into bed, convinced I had a mild case of whiplash. Stay tuned for more about that bed next time!