Highlights of 11 Years Journey to Change / A Brief Overview of Odommo Bangladesh Foundation 2023 ( Known as মজার ইশকুল :: Mojar School )

 

Introduction: 

Mojar School, a beacon of hope and progress established in 2013. With a steadfast commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of underprivileged children, Mojar School has grown to become a transformative force in our community. Currently, we proudly serve 2,300 students every day, offering them access to quality education, food, health care, and shelter. What sets us apart is not only our dedication but also our extensive network of over 7,000 volunteers scattered across the country who work tirelessly to bring about meaningful change.

At Mojar School, we focus on four core programs: education, food, youth development, and shelter home. Each program is designed to address critical needs and provide a holistic approach to uplift the less fortunate in our society especially for the street children.

In addition to our core programs, we are actively engaged in two prominent projects: "Shopner Pathshala," which aims to empower dreams through education, and the "OBBS Employment Project," a dynamic initiative geared towards creating job opportunities and fostering economic independence for marginalized individuals.

Highlights of 11 Years Journey to Change

Impact in Numbers- 

• 23,00+ regular beneficiaries (Children) 

• 7,00,000+ meals have been distributed 

• 7,500+ volunteers (Nationwide) 

• 20+ branches in Dhaka, Mymensingh, Bhola, Cox’s Bazar 

• 200+ employment for adults 

• 8 Million+ (86,01,100) beneficiaries in 11 years 

1. From 2013 to 2023, we have been unwavering in our commitment to serving 23,000 street children, and as we celebrate our journey through a decade, we proudly acknowledge that we have not paused for a moment. Our sustainable growth has allowed us to extend our reach and make a lasting impact on the lives of these vulnerable children. With each passing year, we remain dedicated to our mission, ensuring a brighter future for these young souls who need our support the most. 

Everyday we serve 2300 children, in a month (26 Days) 59,800, in a year 717,600 and in the last 11 years (2013-23) we have served around 78,93,600 underprivileged children and adults. 

2. NCTB Curriculum Based Education: Mojar School provides education based on national curriculum (NCTB) to 1050 students in 4 permanent branches located in Dhaka and Manpura.  Through the education program we are ensuring that the children have a secure and standard life away from the streets and enabling them to live a happy life with their loved ones. Currently they are studying from pre-primary to class 8. 

3. Under the Sky Mojar School: Through the establishment of six Under the Sky Mojar School (UTSMS) strategically located in Dhaka's most vulnerable areas, including rail and bus stations, as well as launch ghats, we have successfully connected with 1050 students. These UTSMS not only provide basic educational support but also offer a safe and conducive environment for learning, reaching out to children who may otherwise lack access to formal education. This initiative aims to uplift these marginalized children and encourage them to go to school. 

4. Food & Nutrition for the underprivileged children of the community. We all know that “ক্ষুদার রাজ্যে পৃথিবী গদ্যময়” children those living in the street are suffering from the basic needs and deprived from the basic rights. With a hungry stomach, education is a fantasy to them. Understanding this, we have been providing food to the underprivileged children and adults. We have provided to more than 7,00,000 lakhs people in this 11 years journey. 

5. Youth Development: With an impressive 7,500 volunteers spread across the nation, our organization is powered by a dedicated and passionate community of individuals who are committed to making a meaningful impact. These volunteers work tirelessly to support our mission and bring about positive change in their local communities and beyond. Their collective efforts exemplify the strength of our nationwide network and the potential for creating a brighter future.

6. Shelter Home & Village: A shelter home and an integrated village has been established in Bhaluka, Mymensingh and in Sirajganj. Where students receive food, education, shelter and health care. 

7. Odommo Bangladesh Better Stories (OBBS): We understand only caring for the children may not change the overall situation of the children. Street child’s background often come from deprived and marginalized families. Taking concern of this we have taken this initiative to uplift the family's financial situation so that they can take good care of their children. We provided financial support, rickshaw, van, employment and sewing training to more than 200+ families. 

8. Six Festivals: We believe in sharing the joy and happiness with others can increase the joy of celebration. Every year we arrange 6 festivals at different times to celebrate the kindness and happiness of the festival with the children who may not have any Idea of the celebration. The six festivals are- 1. Eid Festival, 2. Winter Festival, 3. Fruits Festival, 4. Sports Festival, 5. Ananda Utshab, 6. Pitha Uthshab etc.  

9. Shopner Pathshala: Mojar School has made remarkable strides in its mission to provide education and support to underprivileged street children. Through a successful partnership with the international branches of KFC and Pizza Hut, we have been utilizing their 8 branches (Khilgaon, Bashabo, Banasree, Mirpur 1 & 11, Uttara 6 & 12, Cox’s Bazaar) to educate 200 street children each month. This collaborative effort has not only enabled us to reach more vulnerable youth but has also ensured the sustainability and transparency of Mojar School's operations. We are proud to announce that this mutually beneficial partnership has been going strong for nearly a year, creating a positive impact on the lives of these deserving children.

10. Friendship with Street Children: Mojar School works like a bridge between the privileged people and underprivileged children. Celebrating special occasions like birthdays, marriage anniversaries, and death anniversaries with street children is a heartwarming way for both young and adults to connect with these underprivileged children. By sharing these moments with them, we can provide a sense of love and care to those who often go unnoticed. This simple gesture can make street children feel truly privileged, and the joy they experience when they receive food or other gifts on such occasions is incredibly exciting for them. These acts of kindness not only brighten their day but also remind us all of the power of compassion and the simple joys that connect us as human beings.

11. For over a decade, our organization has proudly operated as a locally funded entity, relying exclusively on the support of our local community. This steadfast commitment to local funding has enabled us to expand our reach and impact on a nationwide scale. It underscores our organizational strength and unwavering focus, showcasing our ability to efficiently serve communities across the country.

The transformation we see today, in our relentless pursuit to make Bangladesh a Street Child Free Bangladesh, has been made possible by the unwavering dedication and visionary leadership of our founder, Mr. Arian Arif. His tireless efforts and deep commitment to improving the lives of street children in Bangladesh have been the driving force behind our mission's success, shaping a brighter future for countless underprivileged children in the country.