Returning the love

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has come forward to help Lucy Helen Frances Holt, a British citizen, who is living in Bangladesh for 57 years.

The premier yesterday handed over to Lucy, her passport with a 15-year multiple visa for Bangladesh, ending her long ordeal for visa renewal every year.

"Our honourable Prime Minister handed over the passport to Lucy just before the public meeting at Bangabanadhu Udyan in Barisal city," PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim told the news agency.

He said while handing over the passport,  the premier also talked to the 87-year-old Lucy, a humanitarian who is now working at Oxford Mission in Barisal city.

"She was very impressed while talking to the prime minister," the press secretary added.

Lucy, daughter of John Holt and Francese Holt, was born in the British town of St Helens on December 16, 1930. After competing 12th grade, she first visited Bangladesh in 1960.

Lucy joined Barisal Oxford Mission that year and taught primary school children. She never returned home and has been staying in Bangladesh as she fell in love with the country and the people.

She worked in Jessore, Khulna, Naogaon, Dhaka and Gopalganj for 57 years. Lucy, who went on retirement in 2004 returned to Barisal Oxford Mission the same year.

Now she is providing English lessons and mental growth to the distressed children. Besides, she is collecting fund from the rich people for them.

Lucy also made outstanding contributions to Bangladesh's Liberation War when she took care of the war-wounded people.

At that time, Lucy taught English at Jessore Catholic Church. When the war started, all except Lucy went to Khulna for safe shelter after closing the school.

During the war, she worked at Fatema Hospital and provided nursing to the war-wounded people where the doctors were amazed at her generosity.

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