ASPIRE
Your Monthly News & Updates
January 2020
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Thank You For An Impactful 2019!
Click the video above to hear from OBAT's students whose lives have been forever impacted by your support.
HINT: They think you are pretty special!
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Syedpur School students listen intently to the presentation
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World Aids Day Observance Creates Awareness
An awareness program on HIV/AIDS was organized on World AIDS day by OBAT's Think Tank in
Syedpur for the students of OBAT's Syedpur School. The objective was to raise awareness for
HIV/AIDS, its transmission, prevention,
treatment, and the role of every student in preventing the disease.
Students were given an opportunity to discuss their views on HIV/AIDS. An emphasis was placed
on the role of the younger generation in reducing the stigma and discrimination faced by people
living with HIV/AIDS, and to help them lead a normal life in the society. 113 students attended this session. A similar programs was also held by Rangpur City's Think Tank. Kudos to both the groups for addressing this important issue.
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| Students during Scratch class |
Programming Course Teaches Mobile and Computer Games Creation to 5th Graders
Children usually don't know until much later what career path they want to pursue. It seems though that computer programming is a field for which their affinity starts manifesting itself at an early age.
OBAT's IT center in Syedpur could be considered a "flagship" computer training center among all its computer training projects. The center is always capitalizing on current trends and offering programming accordingly. The latest project it has implemented is a programming course in "Scratch," for the students of fifth grade.
"Scratch is a block-based visual programming language and online community, targeted primarily at children. Users of the site can create online projects using a block-like interface. Similar to "scratching" used by DJ's, the website lets users mix together different media (including graphics, sound, and other programs) in creative ways by "remixing" projects."
The objective of this course is to train users how to create mobile and computer games. The course will be taught by a former student of the center, Umme Hani Rafa, who won an award for a
nation-wide programming competition last year.
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| Syedpur staff with the Scouts teams |
Scouts Win 1st Place in National Parade
Students in many OBAT projects actively participated in Victory Day (Bangladesh Independence Day) celebrations. The Boys and Girls Scouts teams from Syedpur School
participated in a parade for the first time under the
Bangladesh Railway Scouts Division. Both of OBAT's Scouts teams won the first prize!
Thank you to all the students, the teachers, Ms. Kawser Parvin and
Ms. Rahima Akhter and a special thanks to our volunteers, Raju, Momota and Aksa, for their hard work in training the students in a very short period of time.
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| Front & Center: Dr. Martins |
Doctors from
World Over Volunteer at OBAT's Clinic
A team of 7 Dermatologists from RCF (Refugee Crisis Foundation) volunteered at the OBAT clinic during December. RCF is a an ongoing partner of OBAT and the UK based organization regularly sends two dentists to staff OBAT's clinic. The team
collectively attended to over 350 patients during their visit. The group included world-renowned dermatologist, Christopher Griffiths, Foundation Professor of Dermatology at the University of Manchester. The team also conducted a training of the clinic staff and collected data. They had a great experience working at the clinic and are keen to work with OBAT in the future.
Another volunteer doctor, Sebastião Martins, from Portugal, finished his 2 month long volunteering stint at the clinic as well.
Thank you to all these selfless individuals!
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| Team of Dermatologists with OBAT staff |
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| Ferozeshah School's PSC candidates |
OBAT Students Rock their Results!
We are proud to have a bunch of bright young students in our educational projects. Their desire to work hard and succeed is admirable! Once again, the students performed very well in their PSC (primary school certificate) and JSC
(junior school certificate) exams. Both these exams are government mandated public exams taken at the end of grade 5 and 8, respectively. In the recently published results, 46% of 506 students received A grades in the PSC exams while 34% of 424 students sitting for the JSC exam, received A grades. Way to go OBAT students!
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| The women, taking the exam |
Adult Literacy Program Students Take Final Exams
OBAT runs literacy programs specifically for the elderly women in the camps. These Adult Literacy Programs teach the women how to read and write and impart basic knowledge of core subjects. The Rangpur Adult Literacy Center recently conducted final exams for 45 women enrolled in its center. These women have been taking classes every Friday for the past one year; half way through the year, they took their mid-year tests as well. In the final exams, the subjects they were tested on were Bangla, English, Math, Religion, General Knowledge and Health.
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| A student receives a completion certificate |
22 Students Graduate from IT Center
OBAT's Computer Training Centers equip students with skills that play a crucial role in finding employment opportunities. The students learn basic computer skills as well as more complex programming languages that greatly enhance their prospects of finding a job. The IT Center in Chittagong recently held thegraduation ceremony of its 12th batch of students. Twenty-two students completed a three month long course and were awarded completion certificates in a ceremony presided over by Mr. Mehdi Hasan, President RM Foundation. Good luck to all the graduating students!
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| Volunteer, Philippa Nilsson, holds up her brand new purchase |
Rohingya Women Empowerment Center Produces Quality Clothing
While we seek funding opportunities to continue and expand the sewing project for Rohingya women, the project continues to operate on a small-scale, with 12 women currently enrolled in it. The great news is that many volunteers and visitors purchase clothing made in the center because they are so impressed with the workmanship of the refugee women! The skills women gain at these centers help them to become empowered and gives them a sustainable source of income.
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| Volunteers help with repair of Learning Center |
Volunteers Visit and Revisit!
OBAT is fortunate to have the support of many volunteers. Several of them are deeply impacted by their experiences and return to help more. Philippa Nilsson is one such volunteer. Philippa is a much-loved return volunteer. She worked with OBAT in the very beginning, when the Rohingya crisis was unfolding and has returned to volunteer with OBAT in the Rohingya camp four times since then! In her last visit in December, she also purchased some of the clothing in the Women's Empowerment Center that was made by Rohingya women in our Sewing Project.
Researcher and Professor of Psychology, Dr. Tara Callaghan from Canada's St. Francis Xavier University, visited all of OBAT's Rohingya Relief projects in December. She was thoroughly impressed with the services and aid OBAT is providing in the camp. Dr. Callaghan would like to pursue a partnership with OBAT Helpers for her research project in 2020. The project will be focusing on developing the social and emotional well-being of Rohingya children.
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ysha Al-Sharbity Khandaker, former Director on OBAT's board, coordinated a team of volunteers (Hind, Manal and Mishar) at the Rohingya projects. The group taught students at our learning centers and also helped out with construction work carried out to repair some Learning Centers.
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Think Tank Engages in Constructive Endeavors
OBAT Think Tank in Dhaka organized the 3rd free medical camp in Geneva camp. Similar to previous times, the group provided free medicines and other medical supplies to another 60 families.
The Think Tank came upon this opportunity as they had attended a training on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (ASRHR) & Nutrition in Dhaka during October. This training was organized by the Bangladesh Association for Prevention of Septic Abortion, Bangladesh ( BAPSA ), supported by UNICEF. BAPSA is a health-focused organization that mainly works with adolescents. They also provide free medical services to underprivileged people. BAPSA visited OBAT's Dhaka office where they met the Think Tank volunteers and involved them to their training program. Students of Queens School and College (Alumni of OBAT's English School) as well as the students of OBAT's NLJ High School participated in that training as well. On the Think Tank's request BAPSA launch the medical campaign in the camps.
The Think Tank also organized a cleanup program at the National Intellectual Area in Dhaka. Rangpur Think Tank carried out distribution of winter clothing among the camp residents. They were able to collect the clothing donations from clothing shops.
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| (L) Ahmed Ali; (R) Intekhab Alam |
OBAT Students Make us Proud!
Two of our bright students, Intekhab Alam and Ahmed Ali, from OBAT's Syedpur Tutoring Center were recently admitted to Dhaka University which is regarded as the most prestigious University in Bangladesh. We are so happy to share with you that they both received a full scholarship for their education from the education board in Dinajpur. So proud of our hardworking students!
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Use Facebook to Multiply your Philanthropic Impact!
Most of you probably have hundreds of friends on Facebook. Imagine harnessing all their philanthropic leanings into a fundraiser that you create for OBAT on Facebook!
The result could be tremendous!
All you need to do:
- Go to your Facebook home page
- Click on "Fundraisers" on the left side of your screen, under the "Explore" heading
- Next click on, "Raise Money" and then "Get Started"
- Choose OBAT from the Nonprofits area
- Enter a few details and invite your friends
- You are all set!
The good news is, a full 100% of the amount you raised will be sent to OBAT- Facebook does not deduct transaction fees for nonprofits.
Raise away!
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Inspired?
DONATE to our projects!
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