Help Build a School in Bangladesh
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The purpose of this campaign is to raise funds for opening a primary school in Satkhira, Bangladesh. The area is only about a kilometre from the famous Sundarban Forest. However, the population here is very poor and children are often forced to work to support themselves and their families. A group of us have procured a suitable piece of land to establish a primary school in this district and construction has already started. We are looking to raise funds to complete the construction and begin operations next year. We are also looking for yearly sponsors for the students. Your Zakat donations are also eligible for this project.
We are thankful for all the opportunities that life has provided us. We are simply trying to do for others, what we take for granted - Education! Our most sincere and heartfelt thanks to all of you, who have visited this page to learn about this project.
There is a lot more information below and we urge you to take the time to learn more about this project below.
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Education is a Right!
The UN states that education is a fundamental human right. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Yet so many children are denied this right due to poverty, lack of schools and extreme weather events. Many of these children are thrust into the world to earn a living at an age when they should really be spending their time in a classroom.
Bangladesh with a population close to 180 million people, has an amazing primary education enrolment rate of 90%. However, there are many areas of the country where children still do not have the opportunity to attend a primary school (known as elementary schools is some parts of the world). There is simply no suitable institutions within 6 KMs of their residence (at least one hour walk each way).
The need for primary schools in the southern districts is particularly severe since that region is susceptible to extreme weather events such as cyclones and ensuing floods.
Who Are We?
We are a group of expatriates, originally from Bangladesh. While we have had the opportunity to a good education, great careers and in general a great life, we would like to help others in Bangladesh break the cycle of poverty. We want to help them access better opportunities as educated individuals. Our goal is to launch a primary school in an area where there is an acute need for such as facility. For this we have partnered with the Do Something Foundation (DSF), who have a great track record in delivering various humanitarian missions in Bangladesh. Currently, they operate three primary schools in various districts in Bangladesh. Please visit the DSF Facebook Page to see some of the amazing charitable projects they have been involved in.
The Opportunity
DSF has identified some villages in the Gabura Union in the southern district of Satkhira where there are no primary schools. These villages are only a kilometer away from the world famous Sundarban Forests. The area is under sea-level and dams are used to prevent sea water from flooding the villages. The area is often damaged by cyclones as well. Because of the challenging natural conditions Gabura Union is one of the poorest districts (union) in Bangladesh. Children between the ages of 4 and 12, often have to do hard labour to earn about 10 to 15 cents a day to support themselves and their families. Even if parents are willing to send their kids to school there are no primary schools in the area.
How We Are Trying to Help
Through the support of the DSF foundation, we are trying to build a primary school (preschool to Grade 5) and sponsor the students. Our vision is to provide all expenses (including daily breakfast and lunch), books, stationary, uniforms and a small stipend for every student. This way the children should be able to study without the parents having to worry about lost income and school related expenses. The school should be able to accommodate up to 50 students.
In addition to the primary school, the facilities should also be able to provide technical (IT/computer) training, animal husbandry and other forms of vocational training after school hours for the adults.
To make this project a reality, we have already procured land to build a school building and a small playground. Construction has already started (please check the updates page for more pictures). Once the construction is complete, we will then need to furnish the school, buy books and supplies, hire teachers and caretakers and start the daily operations of the school.
Why Are We Asking For Your Help?
Despite our individual financial contributions, the project needs additional funds to complete the construction and start operations. The money raised through this campaign will go towards the cost of constructing the building and procuring other items needed to get the facilities ready for the students. Estimates are the following:
- Land Procurement, Registration and Backfill: $10,000 (Paid already)
- Construction of School: CDN$ 17,000 (5000 Paid)
- Equipment and Furniture: CDN$ 5,000
- Other Miscellaneous Costs: CDN$ 8,000
- Total Project Capital Cost: CDN$ 40,000
Costs have increased substantially since the start of the project due to COVID related inflation. Thus far we have contributed around $15,000 and have raised $5000 outside of this campaign. We are looking for this campaign to raise the remaining $20,000.
How Soon?
Due to COVID related challenges construction was delayed and work started in the Summer of 2021. We are aiming to raise the funds with the goal of starting classes in 2022.
What about Viability and Sustainability?
DSF is our eyes and boots on the ground. As you will see in DSF's website and Facebook page linked above, they have already established several schools in Bangladesh and have experience running those. They have been featured in local newspapers and TV channels for their charitable activities.
The foundation has already helped us to procure the land and is currently overseeing construction. DSF will continue to help use with all aspects of the day to day operations of the school (including hiring teachers, maintaining the facilities, ensuring quality education etc).
Sponsoring the Students
It will cost $250 per student per year to operate the school (despite various government subsidies). Each one of us involved in this project have made a personal commitment to support the operating costs for years to come.
If you are interested in sponsoring a student or want to make regular contributions in the future please contact us for more information.
For those of you, who donate for annual Zakat/Sadaqa, we have confirmed that this cause is eligible.
Our Gratitude
We are thankful for all the opportunities that life has provided us. We are simply trying to do for others, what we take for granted - Education!
Our most sincere and heartfelt thanks to all of you, who have visited this page to learn about this project. We appreciate any amount of donation to support this cause.
Finally, please visit us back here to learn more about our progress. We are looking forward to share with you our updates as the project unfolds.
The purpose of this campaign is to raise funds for opening a primary school in Satkhira, Bangladesh. The area is only about a kilometre from the famous Sundarban Forest. However, the population here is very poor and children are often forced to work to support themselves and their families. A group of us have procured a suitable piece of land to establish a primary school in this district and construction has already started. We are looking to raise funds to complete the construction and begin operations next year. We are also looking for yearly sponsors for the students. Your Zakat donations are also eligible for this project.
We are thankful for all the opportunities that life has provided us. We are simply trying to do for others, what we take for granted - Education! Our most sincere and heartfelt thanks to all of you, who have visited this page to learn about this project.
There is a lot more information below and we urge you to take the time to learn more about this project below.
********************************************************************************************
Education is a Right!
The UN states that education is a fundamental human right. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Yet so many children are denied this right due to poverty, lack of schools and extreme weather events. Many of these children are thrust into the world to earn a living at an age when they should really be spending their time in a classroom.
Bangladesh with a population close to 180 million people, has an amazing primary education enrolment rate of 90%. However, there are many areas of the country where children still do not have the opportunity to attend a primary school (known as elementary schools is some parts of the world). There is simply no suitable institutions within 6 KMs of their residence (at least one hour walk each way).
The need for primary schools in the southern districts is particularly severe since that region is susceptible to extreme weather events such as cyclones and ensuing floods.
Who Are We?
We are a group of expatriates, originally from Bangladesh. While we have had the opportunity to a good education, great careers and in general a great life, we would like to help others in Bangladesh break the cycle of poverty. We want to help them access better opportunities as educated individuals. Our goal is to launch a primary school in an area where there is an acute need for such as facility. For this we have partnered with the Do Something Foundation (DSF), who have a great track record in delivering various humanitarian missions in Bangladesh. Currently, they operate three primary schools in various districts in Bangladesh. Please visit the DSF Facebook Page to see some of the amazing charitable projects they have been involved in.
The Opportunity
DSF has identified some villages in the Gabura Union in the southern district of Satkhira where there are no primary schools. These villages are only a kilometer away from the world famous Sundarban Forests. The area is under sea-level and dams are used to prevent sea water from flooding the villages. The area is often damaged by cyclones as well. Because of the challenging natural conditions Gabura Union is one of the poorest districts (union) in Bangladesh. Children between the ages of 4 and 12, often have to do hard labour to earn about 10 to 15 cents a day to support themselves and their families. Even if parents are willing to send their kids to school there are no primary schools in the area.
How We Are Trying to Help
Through the support of the DSF foundation, we are trying to build a primary school (preschool to Grade 5) and sponsor the students. Our vision is to provide all expenses (including daily breakfast and lunch), books, stationary, uniforms and a small stipend for every student. This way the children should be able to study without the parents having to worry about lost income and school related expenses. The school should be able to accommodate up to 50 students.
In addition to the primary school, the facilities should also be able to provide technical (IT/computer) training, animal husbandry and other forms of vocational training after school hours for the adults.
To make this project a reality, we have already procured land to build a school building and a small playground. Construction has already started (please check the updates page for more pictures). Once the construction is complete, we will then need to furnish the school, buy books and supplies, hire teachers and caretakers and start the daily operations of the school.
Why Are We Asking For Your Help?
Despite our individual financial contributions, the project needs additional funds to complete the construction and start operations. The money raised through this campaign will go towards the cost of constructing the building and procuring other items needed to get the facilities ready for the students. Estimates are the following:
- Land Procurement, Registration and Backfill: $10,000 (Paid already)
- Construction of School: CDN$ 17,000 (5000 Paid)
- Equipment and Furniture: CDN$ 5,000
- Other Miscellaneous Costs: CDN$ 8,000
- Total Project Capital Cost: CDN$ 40,000
Costs have increased substantially since the start of the project due to COVID related inflation. Thus far we have contributed around $15,000 and have raised $5000 outside of this campaign. We are looking for this campaign to raise the remaining $20,000.
How Soon?
Due to COVID related challenges construction was delayed and work started in the Summer of 2021. We are aiming to raise the funds with the goal of starting classes in 2022.
What about Viability and Sustainability?
DSF is our eyes and boots on the ground. As you will see in DSF's website and Facebook page linked above, they have already established several schools in Bangladesh and have experience running those. They have been featured in local newspapers and TV channels for their charitable activities.
The foundation has already helped us to procure the land and is currently overseeing construction. DSF will continue to help use with all aspects of the day to day operations of the school (including hiring teachers, maintaining the facilities, ensuring quality education etc).
Sponsoring the Students
It will cost $250 per student per year to operate the school (despite various government subsidies). Each one of us involved in this project have made a personal commitment to support the operating costs for years to come.
If you are interested in sponsoring a student or want to make regular contributions in the future please contact us for more information.
For those of you, who donate for annual Zakat/Sadaqa, we have confirmed that this cause is eligible.
Our Gratitude
We are thankful for all the opportunities that life has provided us. We are simply trying to do for others, what we take for granted - Education!
Our most sincere and heartfelt thanks to all of you, who have visited this page to learn about this project. We appreciate any amount of donation to support this cause.
Finally, please visit us back here to learn more about our progress. We are looking forward to share with you our updates as the project unfolds.
Fundraising team: Grateful Canadians (8)
Kaiser Alam
Organizer
Stittsville, ON
Minhaz Sobhan
Beneficiary
Golam Omar Sharif
Team member
Imam Hasan
Team member
Minhaz Sobhan
Team member
Nazmus Ali
Team member