ASPIRE
Your Monthly News & Updates
March 2020
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| Recipients of cataract surgery |
321 People Receive Primary Eye Care
A free eye camp was organized on February 25th
at OBAT's School in Alamnagar, Rangpur. The event
was funded by UKAID and Sight Savers. The camp was organized by OBAT's Rangpur project office on behalf of Community Eye Care & Research Center. A total of 321 patients received primary eye care- 196 of these were female and 125 were male. Fifty-seven patients were taken to Community Eye Care & Research Center in Rangpur to receive cataract surgery. Eye drops and medication was given to 75 patients while spectacles were provided to 29 people. Camps like
these provide access to essential health facilities
that camp residents normally cannot receive.
Thank you to all our partners for making this possible!
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A student receiving her award
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OBAT's School Gets Recognized as Best Educational Institution!
The RM Foundation is a locally based organization in Bangladesh, dedicated to creating positive change through various programming. It recently held a scholarship exam in which a total of 993 students participated, out of whom, 61 received scholarship awards and certificates. The great news is that 15 students from OBAT's SB Nagar School received the award and certificate from RM. Since the highest number of participants and awardees were both from OBAT, the SB Nagar school received a Crest Award for the best educational institution! We are so proud of our students and teachers whose excellence and hard work made this happen!
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| Sarimula with teacher, Ubaidua |
Updates from Rohingya Education Projects
At TLC 1 (Temporary Learning Center) for Rohingya children, teacher Ubaidua, shared his pride on all students scoring above 90% on their exam two weeks ago. His student, Sarimula, enjoys learning English and math, and wants to be a teacher one day. Ubaidua said, "It is great to see that students share what they have learned in TLC's with the community."
TLC 7 teacher, Mohamed Bodi Alam, is proud of his students who passed the exam this month with high marks. They all scored above 80% and graduated to level 3. Bodi Alam loves teaching because he wants to improve his students' lives. Before they came to class, many did not know the alphabet. Alam shared that it is gratifying to see their progress.
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| Children attend a digital learning class |
1st Graders Receive Digital Education
OBAT's partnership with TTWF (Teach the World Foundation) has brought the innovative methodology of digital learning to its students- students learn through gamified apps.
This has proven to be a highly effective mechanism for combating illiteracy among the poor, especially in situations where there is a shortage of qualified teaching staff. Digital learning requires minimal supervision, is largely self-driven and has a higher engagement level of the student. The program began in April 2017 in Market Camp in Dhaka. This year, one program has been set up in the Dhaka English School and is being offered to students of grade 1 as well.
The number of students currently in grade 1 is 35.
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| Students receive treatments |
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227 Students Receive Dental Care
The NGO Forum for Public Health organized a dental camp for the students of Mirpur Shaheen School. The project was titled, "Aus Bangla Care for Dental (ABCD) project," and was
conducted in partnership with local chapters of the Rotary club in Dhaka and Australia.
The program was held over a period of 2 days. On the first day, 111 students received treatment; 116 students got treated the next day. Most of the students had issues related to primary teeth. The NGO Forum removed the primary teeth of 22 students. Another problem common to all students, was cavities. These were treated as well by the NGO Forum. Medicine was also provided to all the students. A similar program will be held at the school in March and April. Thank you to the NGO Forum for this wonderful initiative!
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| Syedpur Tutoring Center's SSC students, at their farewell |
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270 OBAT Students Sit for SSC Exams
The Secondary School Certificate exams took place during the month of
February
. These exams are held by the Bangladesh Board of Education for grade ten students. 270 students from OBAT's scholarship and tutoring center programs appeared in the exam. The students have worked hard preparing for this exam, the result of which will determine their further admission into grade 11. We wish our hard working students the very best!
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Dr. Wasty, speaking at the University
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OBAT is invited to speak by the American University in Dubai
Dr. Shujaat Wasty (Vice-President, OBAT Helpers Inc. and Founder, OBAT Canada),
and Dr. Naved Bakali (Professor and Researcher, OBAT volunteer
and longtime supporter), recently gave a presentation on the
Rohingya genocide at the American University in Dubai.
They also spoke about OBAT's work in the refugee camps and shared their
first hand experiences from the ground. The event was well-attended and included the University's staff, faculty and students.
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| Students are busy with their art work |
International Mother Language Day is Celebrated Widely at OBAT's Projects!
The 21st of February is observed as International Mother Language Day worldwide to foster awareness of cultural and linguistic diversity. The occasion is widely celebrated and observed across OBAT's projects. Schools organized various competitions, art, handwriting, as well as quiz competitions. At the Khulna School, 2nd and 3rd grade students participated in an art competition while the tutoring center organized a quiz competition among students of grade 6-8. Projects in Dhaka, Chittagong, Rangpur, Syedpur and Bogra also wholeheartedly celebrated the day with their students.
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| Mr. Rizwan Samad and family with some students |
Visitors Brighten Up Camp Residents' Lives
Two old friends of OBAT visited the projects this February. For Mr. Rizwan Samad, OBAT's advisor and instrumental support behind OBAT's Seattle chapter, it was a maiden visit. He was accompanied by his wife, daughter and her friend, all of whom live in Seattle, USA. Every year, thanks to Mr. Samad's efforts, a fundraising event or campaign is instituted in Seattle to support OBAT's projects.
Mr. Aftar Iqbal and his wife, Mrs. Nadra Iqbal, also visited various cities. While Mr. Iqbal, who lives in California has visited various times, it was the first visit for his wife. Mr. Iqbal has been the key force behind garnering support for reconstruction work in the dilapidated Bogra Camp.
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| Mr. & Mrs. Iqbal at OBAT's computer center |
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| On your marks, get set, go! |
1st Sports Day Cultivates Healthy and Fun Environment
Sports Day at OBAT's Schools is not just about competition, it is also about having fun while being physically active, learning to play sports, building coordination and teamwork. The students get an opportunity to display their talent, zeal and sportsmanship.
OBAT's School in Syedpur held a two-day sports day celebration in early February. More than 170 students participated in the customized and fun-filled track and field events such as the 100-meter race, spoon race, balance race, throw-ball and other sports popular in local culture.
The program was thoroughly enjoyed by the students as this was the first time Syedpur School held a sports day. A prize distribution ceremony followed the sporting events.
Thanks to all the teachers for making the event successful by organizing and participating in it with as much enthusiasm as the students!
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| Students at the solar energy exhibit |
Science Fair Marks Day of Women in Science
We are proud of all our female students who make up more than 50% of the enrollment in all our educational projects. These girls are committed to learning and constantly improving themselves. To mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the students at OBAT's Chittagong Junior High School organized a science fair. The girls exhibited a range of projects that explained the concepts of wind energy, solar light, green house emissions, eco-cities and much more!
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| L to R: Mahafuja, Anita & Irfan |
Students get Recognized for Perfect Attendance
Few students are dedicated enough to their education to not miss a day at school. Anita is one such student. Since she was admitted at OBAT's Syedpur School in 2018 in grade 6, she has not had a single absence! Two straight years of coming every day to school, rain or shine!
Two other students, Mahafuja Akhter and Irfan had a perfect attendance in 2018.
The trio was awarded with trophies during the 2020 Sports prize distribution ceremony, by visitors from California, Mr. and Mrs. Iqbal, to recognize their commitment.
A special thank you to the parents of these students for supporting them at home and a hearty congratulations to the students for this achievement!
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Upcoming Events!
Join us for our annual Iftar at ISNA
Saturday, April 25th 2020
ISNA Headquarters
6555 S 750 E, Plainfield IN 46168
7:30 pm
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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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