Preetilata K Huq

Utsho Volunteer

Preetilata K Huq, UTSHO Volunteer

Happiness is contagious! When we first entered the building of Utsho Bangladesh Badda, the first thing we noticed was the abundance of smiles. There were smiles everywhere you looked. We were unprepared to be blinded by the dazzling smiles of the children living there. They all had different smiles on their faces, yet each of them were innocent. We awkwardly introduced ourselves, feeling a bit nervous from the curious looks of the children. Then they held out their hand to us, so we offered them our hands, but they immediately pulled us away to give a tour of their beloved school. They had so much pride in their voices as they showed us their school. It was truly breathtaking seeing such pride in children.

After the tour, all of us sat down together. With voices as sweet as honey and plucky bravery, they sang to us. We were mesmerized by their singing, we could tell that they were a talented bunch. And as they sang, not once did the smile on their faces falter. There was no doubt we would have been hesitant to sing in front of strangers, and for these children to not be nervous at all amazed us. They told us of their dreams and aspirations. With their confident voices, they made us believe that they were most definitely capable of achieving them, even though there was one adorable child who said that he wanted to be a plane! We were sure that when he said he wanted to be a plane, he actually meant he wanted to be a pilot. But even that dream, though impossible, was something he believed in.

Most of the boys play football and cricket, and are avid fans of the game. Their favourite football team is Argentina, and their favourite cricketer is none other than the pride of Bangladesh, Shakib Al Hassan. They want to become professional athletes, just like their idols. The other boys who did not wish to be athletes wanted to become pilots. The girls had different goals in life. Most of them want to become doctors. They want to help other people in need, and spread kindness around the world. They are intelligent girls, though young, and have realized what our world badly needs is some kindness.

Their dreams having been told, they ran off to another room, only to bring back drawing books. All of them were eager to show their artwork, each one bravely offering their drawing books. We marveled at the children’s drawings. A nostalgic feeling hit us while looking through the colouful art. With each new page we remembered the fun and joyful memories of when we were their age. We wondered whether our drawings made adults feel the way the drawings of these children did. They showed their colouring books, filled with pretty pictures, most being coloured beautifully. They gave us pretend food from the coloring books and various other story books, and we played along with them. One little girl was brave enough to ask us many questions like, what was our favourite food, or which animal we liked best. We answered, amused by her endless questions. We did not realize how quickly time flew by. When it was time for us to leave, it was heart breaking to see the smiles weaken. We promised to return as soon as possible.

Their smiles came back, and we couldn’t help but just feel happy seeing their bright smiles. We considered ourselves lucky to meet such sweet children, and hoped that we could help them in any way possible.

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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