Youth in Action

By the Youth

Elita Karim

A group of young people has recently started an organisation called the Changing Bangladesh Foundation (CBF). Established in March 2011, the non profitable organisation's aim is to work for an educated, poverty free Bangladesh where every individual will be treated as an equal and have the same rights. "We have plans on providing long-term and rational benefits to the under privileged class of the country by creating diversification in programmes such as education, health and living standards, anti-drug/tobacco movements, environmental issues and so on, to ensure a poverty free and flourishing future for the country," says Ryan Rahman, the Founder and President of CBF. Currently, the organisation has around 150 volunteers working on awareness programmes.

Standing from left: Kushil, Saed, Isnad. Sitting from left- Meraj, Saddaf, Ryan Rahman (Founder, CBF). courtesy : CBF

About a month ago, CBF had launched an anti-drug campaign in Dhaka titled "Say no to drugs- Uniting Bangladesh" which was done to create awareness amongst young students. From March 24 to April 6, the online campaign successfully reached out to more than 10,000 youngsters all over the country and made them aware of the harmful effects of drugs. "We provided free counselling to addicts who had contacted us over emails," says Rahman. A number of anti-drug manuals, booklets, and DVDs explaining the harm that drugs can do to your body and mind, were also distributed with the help of an American organisation, Foundation for a Drug free world. "I don't want to spill the beans right now but we will have a big event starting from June which will last for 3 months and the Government of Bangladesh will be supporting us in that mega campaign," says Rahman, when asked about CBF's future events.

Rahman also adds that his team has had to go through several obstacles to reach their goals. For instance, gathering funds was a dilemma. There came a time when he had to use a lot of his and his friends' personal funds to just start off the project. "I also had my media and event management firm 'live18events' and 'live18networks' sponsor the anti drug campaign," he says. Yet another problem that Rahman faced is the fact that corporations do not seem to take him or his team of young workers very seriously. "This is one of the major problems that we young people face in Bangladesh and this certainly is taking Bangladesh nowhere," he adds. "We have bright ideas and the willingness to work 24/7 and truly want to make a difference in the country. I would advice all university students to have dreams which are larger than life itself and avoid dreaming but doing nothing! They should go out there and work hard to make their dreams come true."

To make your dreams come true and make a difference in society, young people can get in touch with CBF and work for the anti-drugs movement and other projects as well. For more information, check out www.facebook.com/cbf71 or mail the CBF team at cbf.info@yahoo.com.