January 4th, 2017
Early in the morning, we had a meeting with Shiekh Kabir Hussain, (Chairman Associate Bangladesh Private University and a board member of Bangabandhu Science and Technology University). We introduced the work that OBAT Helpers is doing and discussed ways of empowering underprivileged communities via education. It was a pleasure and honor meeting him. We hope that we get more opportunities to learn from his team and join hands with them in future projects.
Next, we had a short meeting with our OBAT-BD team regarding the forecast for projects for 2017. We discussed ways in which we can improve communication and transparency among our team, donors and partners. We are looking forward to achieving goals for 2017.
Visit to the Pitha Festival and Science Fair: This was a cake festival organized by our tutorial students of OBAT Tutoring Center, Dhaka. We enjoyed the delicious cakes and pastries baked by the students. This is a first step for the students toward achieving entrepreneurial skills. The students operated the stalls and executed marketing activities by themselves. We hope that one day, they will become successful entrepreneurs. Students of science group organized a science fair on the same day. They presented amazing science projects such as, hydraulic bridge, environment friendly industry, solar system and energy saver etcetera. We hope that one day, this little initiative will spark in them the desire to become successful inventors.
Lastly, we met with Mr. Niaz Ahmed, (co-founder of AWARD, an NGO operating in the camps) and his family members, at his residence. The meeting was regarding working collaboratively to create solutions for camp issues. At present, we are collaboratively working on a small scale but we hope that, we will able to do more projects together in the near future.
January 5th, 2017
We had a strategic meeting with our Dhaka team regarding accounting processes and the implementation of online accounting systems. Accounts Officer of OBAT Helpers Dhaka, Shahana Akter, talked about meeting the goals of 2016 and the goals that she would like the organization to achieve in 2017.
Next, we moved to NLJ OBAT High School to attend the book distribution program. We felt happy to distribute the books among our kids. Afterward, we had a discussion with NLJ OBAT School teachers regarding improvement in teaching methods, focusing on building up leadership qualities and the goals and plan for 2017. Some of the students also performed songs, poems, and skits on the importance of education.
In the evening, it was a pleasure meeting with Mohammad Rial Ahsan, former Principal at American Management Systems. We introduced him to OBAT Helpers and the work we have been doing in the camps. We discussed how we were focusing on producing creating leaders and thinkers. Mr Ahsan also shared his model for education which is being implemented in his 60+ schools around Bangladesh; they too focus on building leadership qualities in students and the teachers work as facilitators of the classrooms instead of in a traditional role of an instructor.
We were very impressed by all the work Mr Ahsan is doing and with his vision. We are very excited about the opportunity to learn from his vast expertise and are looking forward to building a strong personal and professional relationship with him in the future.
Later in the evening, we visited Mr. Mahbub’s residence to attend a meeting. Different people from the business community who are working in social development and some founders of NGO’s were also present at the meeting. These included, Alhaj Sk. Mohammad Rabban Ali, (Mr. Ali is a Sponsor Director of Social Islamic Bank Limited and one of the renowned and successful industrialists and businessman in the country), Niaz Ahmed (Co-Founder of Award), Dr. Amirullah (Director of Habib Group), Zabbar Khan (President, SPGRC), Syed Jalaluddin Ahmed (General Secretary, OBAT Helpers.), Zakwan Barkati (Treasurer, OBAT Helpers), Khalid Hussain (Founder, Council of Minorities & representative of Ahmed Foundation). All the people present were involved in the social development sector in some way or another. Discussions took place on how we could all collaborate and work together to create a positive change in the camps.
Students at the stall at the Pitha festival
Students from the spoken English class gave me a beautiful gift
Participating teachers and students from the science fair
Book distribution program at the NLJ High School
Book distribution program at the NLJ High School
Book distribution program at the NLJ High School
With think tank students