A dream comes true finally

It was 1960 when she left her motherland and travelled to Bangladesh (then East Pakistan) to pursue humanitarian work as a Catholic Sister. The then 30-year-old British woman Lucy Helen Frances Holt, now an octogenarian, heaved a sigh of relief at last as Bangladesh government decided to award citizenship to her.

Lucy, 87, who has been engaged in social works in the country for the last 57 years, had to wait for decades to get her dream fulfilled.  

At last, an inter-ministerial meeting held at the Secretariat on Monday decided to grant her citizenship, said deputy commissioner of Barisal Md Habibur Rahman.

On February 8 last, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed a passport with 15-year multiple Bangladeshi visa to the British woman, who wished to breath her last on the soil of this country as he had to bother with renewing her visa every year, reports UNB.

Lucy came and joined the Barisal Oxford Mission for the social work they were involved in, and taught primary school children. She never left, falling in love with the soil and people of this country.

Lucy also worked in Jessore, Khulna, Naogaon, Dhaka and Gopalganj during her 57 years.

She briefly returned to the UK after retiring in 2004, but again came back to the Barisal Oxford Mission the same year.

In retirement, she is teaching English and mental development to the distressed children. Besides, Lucy collects funds from the rich for distressed children.

Lucy made outstanding contributions to Bangladesh's Liberation War efforts, taking care of the war-wounded while working at Jessore Catholic Church.

As the war raged on, Lucy volunteered at the Fatema Hospital in Jessore, offering her services as a care-giver to the war-wounded civilians.

Barisal Metropolitan Police honoured Lucy on December 16 last year for her invaluable contributions to the Liberation War.