Bhoroshasthol : A shelter to rely on
A group of students from Dhaka Residential Model College (DRMC) started the non-profit organisation Bhoroshasthol in May 2019, led by their President and CEO, Ahnaf Abrar Husain. The members of Bhoroshasthol are tenth graders.
"We began our journey with a food drive for homeless people," asserts Ahnaf. "Later, we expanded our activities in various locations with the help of our volunteers. This idea came to us while working on a school project on social services."
Ahnaf, along with his classmates, started to put their tiffin money towards the idea.
In just a month, 35 students gathered BDT 26, 000 and bought iftaar packets for underprivileged communities. It was the first official event of Bhoroshasthol.
They have lent their support to more than 2,500 people with clothes, blankets, food and cash in the span of a year.
Students from nine other schools are also working as executive members and volunteers for the organisation.
During the pandemic they have also provided masks and other necessary products to underprivileged groups.
Omar Faruk Chowdhury, Vice President and Deputy CEO and Mahir Labib, Vice President (Operations) and Chief Operating Officer are actively working with the team along with over 3,600 registered volunteers from 51 Districts of Bangladesh.
Ahnaf mentioned that his father is a banker by profession. He is Ahnaf's biggest inspiration. He also expressed his gratitude towards Brigadier General Kazi Shameem Farhad, Principal of DRMC and his teachers who have constantly supported and motivated them in this initiative.
The organisation collaborated with Gontobbo Youth Foundation for thei flagship event, '2 Takar Hashi'.
"The aim of this event is to save BDT 2 each day and once we have a good amount we can support a family to start a small business or any work," says Ahnaf. "This will help them in developing their skills in the long run."
Team Bhoroshasthol is now working virtually and raising funds in order to help those who have been financially affected due to the pandemic.
The organisation is also working on Humanitarian Leadership Project with Community Development for Peace (CDP). According to Ahnaf, the ten-year project aims to build a platform for those who want to develop leadership skills and contribute in social services. Students from class 5 to university can participate in this project.
The organisation plans to work on improving the education for underprivileged groups in the future. In this regard, Bohubrihi, an online learning platform, has already partnered with them.
Sharmin Joya is a trainee reporter at Arts & Entertainment, The Daily Star.