Moner Bondhu unveils innovative Top-Up Cards and honours youth ambassadors

In a hallmark event that radiated grace and foresight, Moner Bondhu unveiled a transformative initiative in the mental health sector with the launch of 'Top-Up Cards' for RMG workers. The gala event, held at the Six Seasons Hotel on 12 September, 2023, also celebrated the blossoming journey of the first cohort of Moner Bondhu Youth Ambassadors.

Embarking on a new chapter of inclusivity

Moner Bondhu, a pioneer of affordable and accessible mental health and wellness services in Bangladesh, marked a significant milestone with the introduction of the Top-Up Cards for RMG workers. These Top-Up Cards, affordable at under $2 USD, open up avenues to critical mental healthcare and wellbeing services, signalling a new dawn of inclusivity in the country.

This comes right on the heels of a monumental recognition on 11 September, when Tawhida Shiropa (the Founder and CEO) along with Moner Bondhu, were honoured as 'Sustainability Thought Leaders' in the Vogue Business 100 Innovators List. Earlier this year, Moner Bondhu also won the prestigious Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Frontier Challenge 2022, which bears another testimony to the organisation's undying dedication to uplifting the lives associated with the fashion industry.

Celebrating the vigour of youth leadership

The event also spotlighted the successful conclusion of the inaugural Youth Ambassadors Program, 'The Next – Moner Bondhu I am the Solution.' The program, in collaboration with A2i's human development media, nurtured thirteen budding youth ambassadors, empowering them to spearhead mental health awareness and advocacy in the community.

Voices of hope and resilience

During the event, Tawhida Shiropa, CEO and Founder of Moner Bondhu, reflected on the journey so far and the road ahead. Her speech echoed the aspirations and resolve that Moner Bondhu stands for, saying, "Today, in this very room, we are surrounded by the people whose cooperation and inspiration are the key behind all my courage. They are the one who kept me and Moner Bondhu motivated to navigate the challenging sector of mental health care in Bangladesh, that too from the earliest years."

The special guest of the event was Rubana Haque, an illustrious businesswoman and the Vice-chancellor of the Asian University for Women. She shared her experience of seeing the 'Project 84' statue, a harrowing art piece aimed toward raising awareness about suicide prevention. Upon sharing her experience, she talked about how it warned her to be more careful about the mental health of herself and the people around her as well. Focusing on the importance of visiting counselors, Haque urged everyone to be cautious about how they are really feeling in their minds. She further highlighted the need for statistics and research in the field of mental health in our country.

Notable guests also included Yuji Ando, Country representative, JETRO Bangladesh, Helal Uddin Ahmed, Associate Professor, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), and Purabi Matin, Lead of Communication and Culture, A2i Programme. Their presence added a dimension of depth and foresight to the event. Helal talked about how our society tends to associate various harmful stigmas and biases with mental health diseases. He also mentioned that Moner Bondhu is trying to bring new innovative solutions to bridge the gap between experts and people. Yuji Ando, with his Bengali speech, won everyone's heart and shared how an organisation like Moner Bondhu has prospects in Japan, where people are often severely stressed about work.

As the event reached its crescendo, it symbolised more than a celebration; it stood as a beacon of renewed commitment and unity towards fostering a society ingrained with empathy and understanding.
 

To learn more, visit www.monerbondhu.com