Combatting unemployment with earnest efforts
Gontobbo Youth Foundation (GYF) strives to alleviate unemployment for underprivileged communities through their activities. Founded in 2015 by Samaun Afraj Fahim, a student of BGMEA University of Fashion & Technology, the organisation has impacted the lives of 1 lakh people since their inception.
For their project, 'Bhalobashar Phuljhuri', the team distributes greeting cards, chocolates and roses to day labourers on Valentine's Day. "We also sell roses and use the money to help the underprivileged populace," added Fahim. The event was first organised in 2016, during which GYF members and volunteers provided a family with a sewing machine, and helped them rebuild their house. Through their event, 'This Winter – Thousands of Smiles', they distributed blankets to 2,000 people so far. They also conduct annual flood relief campaigns to help out affected families.
Currently, GYF finances their projects through monthly donations from their team members and from collections. "Few months ago, while collecting donations on the road, our volunteers were tired and we decided to leave. After observing our activities, a beggar dropped in a ten taka note from his bowl into ours. That small act of kindness was very empowering," recalled Fahim.
Their project, 'Sharing Happiness', is conducted during the month of Ramadan. In the last five years, the organisation distributed two sewing machines, four rickshaws and one van to help destitute communities. "Until now, we have distributed new clothes to more than 2,000 disadvantaged children and provided iftar packages to 100 families," said Sadad Himel, a student of Stamford School and the President of GYF, Dhaka. This year, they provided iftar packages to over 200 people every day, along with care packages with groceries for Eid to 1,000 families. Recently, GYF provided month-long food and grocery packages to 660 families across four districts. They conducted their drives in Dhaka, Dinajpur, Bogura and Munshiganj, and organised different awareness campaigns to familiarise people with the impacts of coronavirus.
Their signature event, '2 Takar Hashi', encourages economic self-sufficiency for destitute families. "We aim to show that if people donate just BDT 2 every day, many struggling families can become self-reliant," said Wasif Ahmed Rafat, a student of Green University and General Secretary of GYF, Dhaka. GYF distributes piggy banks among the registered participants throughout this event. The bank, called 'Shopno', stays with a participant for four months, after which GYF volunteers collect it. In 2018, the foundation helped out three families with the money collected from 108 banks.
Many have lost their jobs due to the ongoing pandemic. Subsequently, GYF members and volunteers intend to distribute 10,000 banks, to support 150 families in need. The foundation began the registration process in July and hopes to distribute all the banks by September. With the help of 270 moderators across 20 districts, they intend to help struggling families by the early months of 2021.
Comments