Late Architect Shahana Khan

Utsho Member

Late Architect Shahana Khan, UTSHO Member

Boarding schools for underprivileged children may be deemed a luxury, yet they are so necessary for the children and their guardians since accommodation and transportation for their children are both unaffordable for this strata of people who are for the majority single mothers working in a crowded city. It is a sanctuary where the basic needs of the children are taken care of and where they can concentrate on their studies without being subjected to external stresses.

Utsho realized that there was a need for this type of institution and embarked on a long and difficult journey to cater to this service for the community. The guiding principles of Utsho have been the addressing of human rights issues, providing sustainable education to marginalized children within a caring environment, and maintaining a transparent management structure.

Utsho has progressed by leaps and bounds, both in the infrastructure and the performance of the students. The students are doing extremely well in their studies as well as their creative and cultural activities. The older children help the younger ones who are in their charge thereby they are developing a sense of responsibility. Confidence-building and counseling is a major part of the education program, which helps to develop the life skills which are equally important as getting good grades. It is very evident that the culture of volunteering and the practice of philanthropy is at a very high level among the many local and international supporters of Utsho. Utsho thanks each and every person who has been part of its history and invites all of you to be a part of its future.

Suraiya Tazin Mohua

Member

Suraiya Tazin Mohua is a Professional working in the Pharmaceutical industry for many years. She was the Brand Manager in Sanofi Aventis, and is currently working at Shambhob Health Ltd. as a Consultant and Senior Pharmacist. Been involved with Utsho since 2008 as a Volunteer, she is currently serving her second term as a Member of the Executive Committee.

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Shermeen Mosadeq

Member

Shermeen Mosadeq is a teacher by profession, last working with Sunbeams School. Active with Utsho since 2016, she is involved in social work with many other organizations.

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Srabanti Datta

Member Secretary

Srabanti Datta is a Businesswoman, with over two decades of experience in the Real Estate Industry. She is a Director of ABC Real Estates and ABC Building Products. An active Member of Utsho for 16+ years, she is currently the Member Secretary of the Utsho Executive Committee. She is also a Member and Cultural Convenor of the Gulshan Society Executive Committee and working with many Business, Cultural and Social forums.

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Dr. Perween Hasan

Vice President

Perween Hasan is a renowned Bangladesh academic and rights activist, and also the Vice President of the current Executive Committee of Utsho. After finishing her PhD in Islamic Architecture from Harvard, she joined the Department of Islamic History and Culture at Dhaka University. Dr. Hasan is now the Vice-Chancellor of the Central Women's University and the chairperson of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).

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Maheen Sultan

President

Maheen Sultan is a Founder Member of Utsho Bangladesh, and also the President of the current Executive Committee. She is Senior Fellow of Practice and Head of the Gender and Social Transformation Cluster at the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development at BRAC University. Maheen is also a member of Naripokkho, a Rights Based women's organisation.

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Mahbooba Akhter Mahmood Leena

Mahbooba Akhter Mahmood Leena is the Founder of Utsho Bangladesh. While working for the development of Slum dwellers as a young Social Worker, she observed that mothers had to work leaving their children unattended, posing a serious threat to their upbringing. This made her think about ways to improve the quality of life for these underprivileged children. And finally with the support of her family and likeminded friends, Leena started Utsho Bangladesh on 25th July 1993 with only three children in a small rented house at Jikatola, Dhaka. In June 2023, Utsho has completed thirty years under Leena’s leadership as the Executive Director. Leena is also the Founder Member of Nari Pokkho and Shakti Foundation, two leading institutions working for Women’s Rights.

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Tahrunessa Ahmed Abdullah

Tahrunessa Ahmed Abdullah a famous Bangladeshi writer and activist, and also a Founder Member of Utsho. She is notable for her contribution in uplifting the lives of women in rural Bangladesh through her research and involvement with Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development. In 1978, she became the first Bangladeshi to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award in the community leadership category.

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Dr. Mahmuda Islam, PhD

Dr. Mahmuda Islam was a Professor in the Department of Sociology at Dhaka University and a Founder member of Utsho. After learning about the organization’s goals, she came onboard as the first President of Utsho Executive Committee knowing the challenges that lied ahead in mobilizing local resources. Mahmuda is currently living in USA.

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Dr. Fazila Banu Lily, PhD

A Founder Member of Utsho Bangladesh, Fazila Banu Lily is the Chairperson at the Department of Sociology and Gender Studies in Central Women’s University. She is also an active Member of Nari Pokkho – an organization working for Women’s Rights.

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Maheen Sultan

Maheen Sultan is a Founder Member of Utsho Bangladesh, and also the President of the current Executive Committee. She is Senior Fellow of Practice and Head of the Gender and Social Transformation Cluster at the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development at BRAC University. Maheen is also a member of Naripokkho, a Rights Based women's organisation.

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Dr. Humaira Islam, PhD

Dr. Humaira Islam is a Founder Member of Utsho Bangladesh, and also the Treasurer of the current Executive Committee. A Development Specialist of high repute, she is the Executive Director and founder of Shakti Foundation.

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Taheerah Haq

Taheerah Haq is a Founder Member of Utsho Bangladesh. After working as the former Country Director of Ashoka Bangladesh, she now sits on the Board of Trustees of University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) and is also the CEO of Publik House.

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Safia Azim

Safia Azim taught Clinical Psychology at Dhaka University. As a Founder member of Utsho Bangladesh, she contributed significantly to the children's mental development. Safia used to read story books to Utsho’s children on a regular basis. She was instrumental in starting the Fundraising events for Utsho.

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Hasna Hena

Hasna Hena was working in the World Food Program (WFP) when she became a part of Utsho as it’s Founder member.

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Mohammad Anamul Haque

Mohammad Anamul Haque was working with OXFAM Bangladesh when he joined Utsho as a Founder Member. He played a key role in setting up the Financial Management structure of Utsho as the Treasurer of the Executing Committee in the first two terms. Anamul now works in Islamic Development Bank (IDB) as a Senior Knowledge Change Management Specialist, stationed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

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