When we think about the impact of journalism or access to information, we usually focus on the audience. But the act of reporting, fact checking, and producing a story from one's own community, impacts the journalists themselves, too. In February, I had the unique opportunity to travel to Bangladesh to meet the people involved in creating a brand new program for Rohingya refugees and to find out how the task of starting a new news program, almost from scratch, is impacting them personally.

Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, hosts a unique information challenge. Approximately one million Rohingya refugees have settled in camps near the city after fleeing violence and persecution in their homeland Myanmar. Without the proper permissions to enter or work in the country, they are forced to live what is now the world's largest refugee camp. They are stuck in a stateless limbo with few trusted information sources in their native language.

If living in the camps is challenging, reporting in them is a complex and delicate task. Travel into and between camps is increasingly restricted, and telecommunications can be spotty. So building a network is a slow and tedious process. And because of tensions between the host community and the refugee services, it is often difficult to get officials to comment on the record.

These reporters have the world on their shoulders. They see, on a daily basis, the stories that need to be told and understand the responsibility of telling those stories accurately and without bias. They observe, in real time, the impact their stories can have on individuals and communities alike.

"Right now the Rohingya's dreams are narrowing," explained "Lifeline" contributor Mohammed Rukon Uddin, who returned to Bangladesh from Malaysia to serve the community there. "They cannot think too big. They have limited education, [so] they cannot dream about graduating university...they cannot even dream about delicious food."

Feeling stuck is part of life in the camp, Rukon explained. And so is feeling isolated, so "Lifeline" has also given the Rohingya a feeling of connection. 

"It's important for the Rohingya to have this type of program," he said. "I think it helps Rohingya to know what is going on in the camp, [and] in the world...we are bringing stories of the people."

"Rohingya 'Lifeline' is very important," agreed journalist Mohammed Idris Abdullah, who dreams of one day writing a comprehensive history of the Rohingya people. He added that the program benefits from VOA's credibility. "Voice of America is international media and very well known to the people in the world. [Audiences understand VOA] never accepts something bogus or false; it is an authentic media."

"VOA is a renown radio channel, and I haven’t heard of anyone who doesn’t know about VOA," said Rukon. "So when there is news from VOA they are interested to listen to that program. Besides, we are getting a lot of guidance and assistance to do our reports...we are learning the techniques, tactics, laws and ethics... people know the news from VOA is authenticated."

In addition to feeling like they are serving their community, working on this program has taught them discipline, persistence and how to have a critical eye. All three spoke about how thankful they were to VOA for the professional development and how proud they felt to be serving the community by helping distinguish facts from rumors.

Sabera Begum, the program's first and only female reporter, added that she is thankful for the opportunity to tell women's stories as well.

"Not all Rohingya women freely describe their problems and issues to male reporters," she explained through an interpreter. "So [my goal is] to find the untold stories of women to add to our program."

Sabera's involvement in the program does more than just break barriers or add additional voices. She is also a role model.

"My daughter is so proud that I am working, and she always tells people 'my mom is working for Voice of America!'"

Case studies about information flows in the refugee camps will continue, no doubt. But I have witnessed firsthand the impact that providing this information can have on the journalists, their families and communities. And it is because of them that I believe that someday soon, the Rohingya will be able to dream big again.