Investing in Forgotten Futures: A Visit to a School for Slum Children (March 4, 2023)

On March 4, 2023, the Events for Development team made a meaningful visit to a school serving some of Dhaka’s most underserved children — a small but resilient institution nestled within a slum community and brought to EFD’s attention through the Bangladesh Girl Guides Association.

The school’s story is one that reflects a broader challenge facing grassroots education in Bangladesh. Established with the support of a government project, the school thrived in its early years, providing a safe and nurturing learning environment for children who had few other options. When that government project came to a close, so did the funding — leaving the school without institutional support and its dedicated teachers and staff to carry on against considerable odds. It is through the tireless efforts of the Bangladesh Girl Guides Association that the school has continued to survive, as the Association works actively to connect it with organizations willing to step in and make a difference.

On the day of the visit, EFD was welcomed by approximately 80 bright-eyed children and 5 committed staff members and teachers. In a simple but deeply meaningful gesture, the team brought chicken biryani for everyone — a beloved treat that the children rarely, if ever, get to enjoy. The joy and excitement on the children’s faces spoke volumes. It was a reminder that sometimes, the smallest acts of kindness carry the greatest emotional weight.

What struck the EFD team most profoundly, however, was not just the children’s delight — it was their remarkable potential. These are sharp, intelligent, and curious young minds who, given the right support, mentorship, and resources, have every capacity to grow into confident and capable contributors to society. Their circumstances do not define their ceiling; access to opportunity does.

EFD developed a framework for regular, structured support. The scope of assistance is guided by available funding, but EFD’s commitment to these children is unwavering. Every child in that classroom deserves a fair chance, and EFD is determined to help make that possible.

Nurturing Roots, Building Futures: A Visit to the Girls’ Orphanage, Mirpur (March 7, 2024)

Through the continued partnership with the Bangladesh Girl Guides Association, Events for Development was introduced to a girls’ orphanage in Mirpur — another community of young lives full of promise, quietly waiting for the world to take notice.

The visit was designed to be more than a one-time gesture of goodwill. In keeping with EFD’s commitment to environmental stewardship and climate action, the team organized an educational session and a tree plantation activity on the orphanage grounds, engaging the girls in a hands-on experience that connected them to nature and instilled a sense of responsibility for the environment around them. Each girl was also gifted a money plant pot — a small but symbolic token representing growth, resilience, and the hope of a greener future. It was a moment that blended environmental education with emotional meaning, reminding these young residents that they, too, have a role to play in caring for the world they will inherit.

To bring warmth and celebration to the day, every child received a thoughtfully assembled goody bag filled with their choice of goodies. The smiles, laughter, and sheer delight that filled the room were a powerful testament to how profoundly simple acts of care can uplift a child’s spirit. For many of these girls, such moments of joy are rare — and that is precisely what makes them matter so deeply.

Beyond the visit itself, EFD recognized that lasting impact requires sustained commitment and continued working with them to develop a framework for regular, structured support — encompassing essentials such as books, uniforms, nutritious food, and whatever else may be needed to give these girls the foundation they deserve. Because every child, regardless of circumstance, is entitled to dignity, opportunity, and a future worth looking forward to.

A Brotherhood of Care: Visit to the Boys’ Orphanage (March 2025)

In March 2025, the Events for Development team extended their outreach to a boys’ orphanage, visiting approximately 45 young boys whose resilience and spirit left a lasting impression on all who came. Understanding that joy is as essential as sustenance, the team arrived with generously packed goody bags filled with an assortment of children’s favorites. The energy in the room was immediate and infectious; for a few precious hours, these boys were simply children — laughing, snacking, and basking in the warmth of being cared for.

Yet beneath the celebration lay a deeper reality. These boys carry needs that go far beyond a single visit, and EFD listened carefully. When asked what would make the greatest difference in their lives at that moment, the answer was both simple and deeply moving — Punjabis for Eid. For most children, dressing up for Eid is a given, a cherished tradition woven into the fabric of the festive season. For these boys, it was a wish — one that spoke not just of clothing, but of belonging, of dignity, and of the desire to celebrate like every other child.

Events for Development took that wish to heart to fulfill this request and ensure that these boys step into Eid with their heads held high, dressed with the pride and joy that every child deserves on such a special occasion.

It is in moments like these that EFD’s mission finds its truest expression — not in grand gestures, but in listening closely, responding with empathy, and showing up for those who need it most.

A Table of Compassion: Iftaar and Dinner Distribution Across Schools and Orphanages (March 23–24, 2025)

In the blessed spirit of Ramadan — a season defined by reflection, generosity, and the breaking of barriers — the Events for Development embarked on a two-day journey of giving that touched the hearts of over 100 children, teachers, and support staff across a slum children’s school and two orphanages in Dhaka.

On March 23 and 24, 2025, as the day drew to a close and the call to Iftar approached, EFD ensured that no child would break their fast without a meal worthy of the occasion. Carefully curated Iftaar and Dinner boxes, brimming with a rich assortment of dinner items, were sourced from one of Dhaka’s finest restaurants — because these children, who so often go without, deserved nothing less than the very best. Each box was not merely a meal; it was a message — that they are seen, they are valued, and they are not forgotten.

The atmosphere at each stop was one of warmth, gratitude, and pure, unfiltered joy. Children and teachers alike savored every bite, their faces illuminated with happiness that no photograph could fully capture. For many of the children, sharing an Iftaar meal of this quality was an experience unlike any other — a moment of dignity and celebration in the midst of everyday hardship.

This initiative reflects the very essence of what Events for Development stands for: the belief that compassion must be active, that development must be human, and that the most meaningful investments are those made directly into the lives of people who need it most. As Ramadan calls us to give, EFD answered — not with token gestures, but with genuine care and heartfelt commitment.

Frontline Climate Relief: Protecting Rickshawpullers from Extreme Weather (May 13, 2023)

In a heartfelt demonstration of grassroots climate action, EFD reached out directly to one of Bangladesh’s most vulnerable and often overlooked communities — the hardworking rickshawpullers. On May 13, 2023, essential weather protection kits comprising hats, raincoats, and polythene covers were distributed to 200 rickshawpullers, equipping them to face the harsh realities of extreme weather conditions that climate change continues to intensify.

Rickshawpullers spend long, grueling hours exposed to the elements — scorching heat, torrential monsoon rains, and unpredictable storms — with little to no protection. This initiative recognized that climate change is not an abstract policy challenge; it is a daily, lived hardship for millions of low-income workers whose livelihoods depend entirely on being outdoors. By placing climate resilience directly in the hands of those who need it most, EFD translated its commitment to environmental action into tangible, human-centered impact.

This activity stands as a powerful example of EFD’s belief that meaningful climate action must be inclusive — reaching the most marginalized communities first.