๐ Event Highlights
- What happened: EZBF, a nonprofit dedicated to underprivileged and street children in Dhaka, hosted an uplifting event titled โFriendship with Underprivileged Children 2017โ at National Shishu Park in the Shahbag area.
- When: This marked the second iteration of the event, held on August 23, 2017.
- Who participated: Around 250 volunteers spent the day alongside 200 children, engaging in games, amusement park rides, and shared meals. Special guests included actor Masum Parvez Rubel, former Lt. Gen. M HarunโarโRashid, actress Shahnoor, and comedian Saifur Rahman .
- Why it matters: According to EZBF GenโSec Towfiqul Islam Sikder, many children lack family and live or work on the streets. The event aimed to foster friendship, support their emotional wellโbeing, and offer moments of joy.
- Support and media: Associate sponsorship came from Mercantile Bank Ltd, with media partnership from Dhaka Tribune and Jagonews24.com .
๐ About EZBFโs Mission
Since launching its first school in 2016 with just 13 street children and 50 volunteers, EZBF has expanded significantly โ now serving over 550 underprivileged students across nine branches in Dhaka and Gaibandha .
These schools provide:
- Free elementary education aligned with the national curriculum
- Nutritious meals during classes
- Uniforms, stationery, and sometimes computer training
They also organize cultural programs, tree planting, medical camps, and have ambitions to start shelter homes for street children .
โ Impact & Takeaways
EZBFโs work is making a real difference:
- Helping street children learn to read, write, and stay in school
- Improving health and self-reliance among families
- Sparking hope and supporting vocational development through nutrition and educational access
๐ก Want to Help?
You can get involved or donate:
- Become a volunteer at one of the nine school branches
- Sponsor a child for just BDT 1,200 per month to ensure they get education, food, and care
In summary: The โFriendship with Underprivileged Childrenโ event exemplifies EZBFโs ongoing missionโnot just to educate, but to nurture and uplift street children through joyful, meaningful community engagement.