Utsho Bangladesh: An attempt to make the lives of children from impoverished families a little better

Utsho Bangladesh: An attempt to make the lives of children from impoverished families a little better 05May
May 31, 2024News & Events

Dating as far back as 25 years, a vision to create a safe shelter with quality education to underprivileged children took form. At the heart of an attempt to make the lives of children from impoverished families a little better, stood a visionary –Mahbooba Mahmood Leena, Executive Director of Utsho Bangladesh.

“Underprivileged children from broken homes and unfortunate backgrounds often find themselves without the necessary support of a house or education. To solve this problem, I, along with a few others rented a small room in 1993. We took in three children and also decided to open a school for them,” explains Mahbooba, and from this initiative, Utsho Bangladesh was born.

A low-key, community-based organisation, Utsho Bangladesh works relentlessly to promote access to basic human rights for neglected children and women alike. With central offices located at Niketon, Gulshan, what started out as a humble venture with three children in a small room has now branched out to 382 hopeful children living and studying in three  schools (one residential and two non-residential) named ‘Utsho Bidyaniketan.’

With the one residential school located at Sreepur, Gazipur, Utsho Bidyaniketan does not just focus on academics. It also helps develop basic IT skills by training children on how to use computers. Children also learn photography from esteemed photographers, as part of a project, Postcards from the Future. Here, the children are inspired to get in touch with their inner creativity. An art exhibition showcasing some of the best works by enthusiastic children was organised at Drik Gallery in 2014.

“Only providing education will not do. Children have to be taught how to dream,” states Srabanti Datta, a dedicated member, working away as part of the Utsho crew. “Here at Utsho, children are taught karate, singing, dancing and even painting. The whole idea is for the kids to realise their true potential, let it be academic or creative.”

“I want to be a pilot when I grow up. I don’t want to fly a black or blue airplane. I will only fly a white one because white is my favourite colour,” shares an enthusiastic 6-year-old Zeyad, one of the many kids studying at Utsho.

Apart from inspiring tomorrow’s leaders, Utsho also manages two daycare centres under the name ‘Aastha Daycare Centre’ and is dedicated to providing employment opportunities to women and children who have been victims of violence or unfair treatment.

But how is an organisation like Utsho even run?

Utsho successfully operates mainly via local/personal resources and child sponsorship programs where people and families are encouraged to chip in a portion of the expenses of a child taken in by the organisation. “No contribution is cashed in profits. Everything goes towards the kids,” ensures Srabanti Datta.

However, to take care of the hefty task of administration costs, biannual fund-raising events and small businesses that offer catering and tailoring services have been set up. A fund-raising event in the name of ‘Utsho Shondha 2017’ was also organised in December of last year by the very-capable catering team, serving scrumptious Bengali dinner in the midst of classical songs and performances.

One has the option of availing the catering services for themselves; even groceries are supplied and garage sales are arranged, all in the hope of accumulating funds.

And if you want to lend a hand, Utsho welcomes volunteers with open arms and appreciates anyone who wants to make a difference.

Despite facing several challenges in the forms of unusable donations and difficulty in earning due credibility, it’s safe to say the non-profit has impacted the lives of many children. Some have prospered to earn educational degrees in SSC and HSC examinations; others found themselves on an even playing field in the local job market. And some more children grew up to be hired as employees at newspaper agencies and even schools.

“As long as the kids don’t go astray and take to derailed paths, whatever they do and wherever they end up is a success story in our eyes,” shares Srabanti Datta. “Our greatest victory is when a child of Utsho realises their potential and progresses in life, regardless of family history, race or creed,” she further adds.

“We have created something that will inspire others and prompt them to give back to society, however they can, with Utsho. We want to set an example for others and prompt them to follow,” says Mahbooba Mahmood Leena.

And with such goals to strive for and such achievements in its bag, stands proud a humble non-profit organisation, in all its glory, by the name of Utsho Bangladesh.

Originally Published at: The Daily Star

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Utsho Bangladesh Central Office

169/2/A, Shanti Niketan,
Tejgaon Industrial Area,
Dhaka 1208

+88 02 2222 80708

+88 01711 622378

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utshobd@gmail.com

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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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