Youth in Action

For The Volunteering Minds

Fauzia Sultana

In Bangladesh, where poverty alleviation and the right to education are blazing issues, the youths of our country are working hand in hand to help mitigate them, which deserves appreciation. To build a better Bangladesh we all have our roles to play, especially the young generation. It is through the many youth based organizations of our country that the young are now getting the opportunity to volunteer and exhibit their zeal and urge to contribute in society. One such organisation is Changing Bangladesh Foundation, or more commonly CBF. CBF is a non-profitable organisation that started in March 2011 and since then it has been providing long-term significant benefits to the under privileged class of Bangladesh by creating diversification in programmes in fields including education, health, living standards, anti-drug/tobacco movements, women and children welfare, environmental issues and many other for the betterment of our country.

Volunteers of CBF helping students with their registration. Courtesy: CBF

Recently, CBF organised a campaign named, 'Conserve Sundarban' to create awareness among the young ones for the conservation of the largest mangrove forest. Starting from August 1- October 14, 2011, students proposed their ideas on the conservation of the Sundarban. Booths were placed in different university and college campuses, where volunteers and members of CBF helped students register for the competition. The project ideas were evaluated by CBF, giving the winning team prize money of Taka 25,000. Over 1400 registrations from institutions including Brac, AIUB, IUB, East-West, SUB, BUET, IBA, Notre Dame, Saint Joseph, and many others were received during the campaign. “We believe the youth have always played a key role in bringing revolutions in our nation,” shared Ryan Rahman, Founder, President, CBF. “The youths are comparatively more innovative and energetic and these attributes are important in such voluntary work,” he added. CBF has over 500 volunteers who are working on several ongoing and upcoming projects.

In the near future, the organisation plans to arrange workshops and training sessions on the various social issues. Interested volunteers can register through cbf.info@yahoo.com.

Many a times we want to contribute for the betterment of our society, but we fail to do so, because we do not have or get the right platforms. But through organisations like CBF, the youth can surely get a chance to contribute and make a difference in society.