Standard Chartered’s Country Management Team visits JAAGO

Amidst the bustling bodies, enveloped by the orchestral clamour of the megaphone booming with announcements, people chattering, and horns honking, a group of people made their way to the stark yellow gate of JAAGO's Rayer Bazar School.  The children, big-eyed and peeking through their classrooms, watched in excitement as the country management team of Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) entered the school premises, led by their Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Naser Ezaz Bijoy.

While visiting each class, the visitors got a glimpse of how JAAGO was using everyday items, such as rice and lentils, for educational purposes. The team watched the students from Grade 9 exhibit the robot they had created using Lego and how it operated using coding as a part of their Robotics workshop. The team from SCB immersed in insightful discussions with the children and they were visibly moved to find Naser Ezaz Bijoy, the CEO of SCB, sitting with them on the floor of the lab as he imparted knowledge on financial literacy and banking, inspiring a number of them to consider a career in banking. Additionally, he addressed the importance of goodness in character for an individual to gain true success in life. The SCB team also participated in a trivia session with the children, and the zeal with which the teams competed, reflected how volunteerism did not have an age.

Every year, SCB engages in employee volunteerism where they actively encourage them to take time off work and volunteer in the community, echoing the company's creed of 'Here for Good'. SCB has been a dedicated supporter of JAAGO from its early years. They have supported in many ways and continue to engage in creative activities with the children every year. However, this year's volunteerism was rather impactful for the children as they returned home wiser and more hopeful.

Bitopi Das Chowdhury, Head of Corporate Affairs, Branding and Marketing, SCB expressed, "We are always enthused to interact with the children at JAAGO and hear about their dreams for a better future. I honestly believe that we take away more from these visits than the children, and the rewards of these experiences are extremely gratifying."