Zoom in for a better future

When Evergreen Zoom Bangladesh Foundation started its first school in 2016, it had just 13 students and about 50 volunteers. Today, the organisation runs five schools with approximately 450 students and more than a 1000 volunteers.

That's 450 underprivileged and vulnerable children - living in the slums, or even worse, the streets - brought under the enlightenment of education.

Zoom Bangladesh School is not just free, but provides free books and stationary and a meal as well.

The foundation operates schools in Segunbagicha, Hatirjheel, and in the High Court and Central Shaheed Minar areas in Dhaka; and one in Gaibandha. 

S T Shahin Prodhan, founder and CEO, said that the Hatirjheel branch follows the primary school curriculum, while the rest focus on providing basic education and moral and cultural education. Moreover, the Segunbagicha school also provides computer training.

To build up the self-esteem of these marginalised children - to make them feel that they are a part of something - the schools also supply proper uniforms.    

The foundation also organises programmes on special occasions, where the students partake in cultural activities. Moreover, the foundation also runs other projects like tree plantations and blood donations.

"One of our goals is to establish a shelter home for street children," Prodhan said. "They are a very vulnerable group. And as they do not have any particular house, they sometimes move about, thus making it difficult for us to retain and educate them for a long periods of time. A shelter home has the promise of resolving these issues."  

Currently, funding chiefly comes from the volunteers and local citizens, he further informed, saying that the organisation can expand and actualise its dreams if it gets better funds.

What you can do

Get involved. Become a volunteer. No feeling is better than the satisfaction of helping the poor and underprivileged. And who doesn't enjoy spending time with children! On the other hand, you may also make a donation to the organisation.

For more info, find them on Facebook and YouTube. Address: 22 Segunbagicha (5th floor). Contact number: 01739801419. Email: ezbfoundation@gmail.com

Photo: Evergreen Zoom Bangladesh Foundation