A dream comes true

Octogenarian British humanitarian Lucy Helen Francis Holt's dream of becoming a Bangladeshi citizen came true as she received a citizenship certificate from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday.

The Bangladesh government honoured the 87-year-old, who has been living in Bangladesh for 57 years, with granting her citizenship for her immense love for this country and for rendering services to the humanity.

"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed over the Bangladeshi citizenship certificate to Lucy Helen at a function at her official Ganabhaban residence here this afternoon," PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim told reporters.

After getting the citizenship, her long ordeal for visa renewal every year has ended.

Bangabandhu's younger daughter Sheikh Rehana and PM's daughter Saima Wazed Hossain were present on the occasion.

PM's Principal Secretary Nojibur Rahman and Secretary of the Security Services Division of the Home Ministry Farid Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury were also present.

The press secretary said both Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana talked to Lucy, a humanist who is now working at Oxford Mission in Barisal city.

Lucy informed the premier that she had a wish to meet Bangamata Fazilatunnesa Mujib. "That desire was fulfilled by meeting you today," she said.

Lucy, daughter of John Holt and Francese Holt, was born in the British town of St Helens on December 16 in 1930. After bidding farewell to the teaching of Cole Hills Junior School, she was inspired to serve humanity at only 19 years and chose nursing as her profession.

Lucy came to Bangladesh in 1960 with a vow to serve the humanity.

On that year, Lucy joined Barisal Oxford Mission and taught primary school children. Since then she has been staying in Bangladesh.

In her retired life, she is now teaching English education and mental growth to distressed children.

Besides, Lucy is collecting fund from the rich people for distressed children.

Lucy also took care of the war-wounded people during Bangladesh's Liberation War.