Ramadan Impact Fund

RAMADAN IS HERE, and Bangladeshis are struggling to make ends meet. A soaring inflation rate of 8 percent and a growing affordability crisis is hitting the pockets of vulnerable households. This month provides a unique opportunity for the privileged to step up their efforts, invest in their faith, and prioritize their spirituality, by contributing towards the collective well-being of society. We call on those residing in Bangladesh, expatriate communities, international students, and well-wishers to unite in a collective quest to stand by vulnerable individuals in this difficult hour.

The recent partnership between BacharLorai, BEACON Bangladesh, and the University of British Columbia’s Climate Hub resulted in the successful implementation of Sewing Empowered Futures, a climate resiliency-based project dedicated to enhancing the economic capacity of the coastal village of Rajakhali, which has catalyzed ongoing entrepreneurial support and training for 47 women.

BacharLorai and BEACON Bangladesh, two trusted partners with a formidable track record of successfully collaborating on several projects in the past two years, are teaming up once again this Ramadan to stand by the people of Bangladesh as they face extraordinary headwinds in the context of a struggling economy which has been ravaged by global price surges.

In the spirit of collaboration, the Bangladeshi Students' Association at the University of Toronto Scarborough (BSA UTSC), the Bangladeshi Students' Association at York University (YBSA), and the Bangladeshi Students' Association at Cornell University (Cornell BSA) have decided to extend their support to the Ramadan Impact Fund. These student-led expat organizations from three premier North American academic institutions have supported BacharLorai's emergency aid projects and social impact interventions since 2020, and we hope to continue these engagements throughout Ramadan and beyond.

Ramadan Impact Drive Phase 1 Priorities

Our primary focus will be supporting low and middle-income families, as well as marginalized populations, in remote areas in Bangladesh via:

Ramadan Impact Drive Phase 2 Priorities

Execution of some of the projects mentioned above is subject to the availability of adequate funding. In simple terms, the more you donate and support our project, the more impact we can create together.

Economic Context

The post-pandemic economic landscape, global supply chain shortages, the Russian-Ukrainian war, and a complex energy crisis have positioned multiple challenges for the Bangladeshi economy. This has resulted in growing levels of food insecurity, job vulnerabilities, and financial hardships.

Incessant price surges on essentials are expected to continue throughout this year and are complicating the daily needs of the public. In this environment, acts of kindness and concrete efforts to showcase empathy, are fundamental in leveraging the true spirit of Ramadan and shaping positive, purposeful, and progressive outcomes for low and middle-income households.

Additional Interventions

On a need-based footing, and with the full support of BacharLorai, BEACON Bangladesh intends to implement additional interventions in the areas of:

These focus areas are in line with BacharLorai’s priorities for 2023, which include:

Your support will go a long way in providing essential aid and creating a tangible impact on the lives of those in need. Let us come together and make a difference this Ramadan. Donate today and help us spread hope and compassion in Bangladesh.

Project Partners

BacharLorai is a not-for-profit social impact agency founded in 2020. It was established to build capacity for grass-root organizations creating social impact in Bangladesh, respond to humanitarian crises through cross-border aid projects and global partnerships, and share knowledge to inform and organize collective aid efforts by Bangladeshi expatriates.

BEACON Bangladesh, originally founded as Bangladesh Emergency Action Against COVID-19 (BEACON), works to empower valiant youth initiatives to maximize their impact and enhance their reach all across Bangladesh. With three years of experience in successfully designing and executing projects, BEACON Bangladesh is determined to channel the youth’s energy toward grassroots-led developmental projects that benefit their communities and the country at large.

Supporting Student Organizations

The Bangladeshi Students’ Association UTSC (BSA UTSC) is a community of Bangladeshi individuals who strive to enrich Bengali culture on campus. The represents Bengali students at the University of Toronto Scarborough and hosts a variety of events and initiatives both on and off campus. They aim to give nurture a friendly and accepting community that can celebrate, be a part of, and enjoy all parts of the Bengali culture.

The Bangladeshi Students' Association at York University (YBSA) provides a space for Bangladeshi students to network, volunteer and be a part of a variety of events and activities that highlight the richness of Bangladeshi culture. They aim to promote awareness of Bangladeshi culture and build a community for students to actively participate, learn from, and engage in community events.

The Bangladeshi Students' Association at Cornell University (Cornell BSA) is a student-led organization dedicated to promoting and celebrating Bangladeshi culture and heritage on campus. Through various events, including cultural festivals, lectures, and community service initiatives, the association strives to create a sense of community and support for Bangladeshi students at Cornell.

Donation Details

Note: We started with a fundraising goal of $ 2000 and increased it to $ 4000 after a successful fundraising round. We intend to increase it in increments throughout Ramadan and beyond, to have the highest impact on our target communities.

During the pandemic, BacharLorai mobilized multiple food aid campaigns and engaged the media landscape to encourage Bangladeshis to participate in altruistic ventures as a major component of their faith. We ask you to do the same in 2023 and stand by the country in today’s difficult economic environment.

Fundraising Team

Mir Aftabuddin Ahmed is a Co-Founder and Executive Director of Policy Research at BacharLorai. Having worked as a banking advisor and investment consultant for Toronto Dominion Bank, he is currently pursuing a Master of Public Policy degree with the Max Bell School at McGill University. With over 100 published articles, Aftab is a columnist for the Bangladeshi newspapers The Daily Star, Dhaka Tribune, and The Business Standard. He is the Chief Editor of the Bell Newsletter and a contributor to Canadian media platforms, including The Hill Times, The Line, and Policy Magazine.

Ashfaque Kabir is the founder and lead organizer of BEACON Bangladesh. Beyond his work with BEACON Bangladesh, he is a consultant by profession and the Founder and Managing Partner of Acrux ACV. He has also been an instructor for professional development workshops at different universities throughout the country. Ashfaque previously worked in the development and financial industry in Bangladesh, the United States and the United Kingdom.

Talha Rahim Khan is a Co-Founder and the Executive Director of Administration at BacharLorai. He is currently responsible for Estates Management as a Philanthropy Officer at St. Michael’s Foundation, Toronto. After working as a Financial Advisor at Scotiabank he completed a Certification in Big Data Analytics from York University. With a Bachelor’s in History, he has worked on fundraising campaigns for organizations such as UNICEF, Doctors Without Borders, and the World Wildlife Fund. Having more than a decade of grassroots organizing experience, he is an avid advocate of affordable housing for new immigrants in Toronto.