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1. 1

   Equipped around 15,000 people from 195 upazilas with knowledge of civic education

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   Equipped around 15,000 people from 195 upazilas with knowledge of civic education

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   In rural Bangladesh, a group of youth from marginalised communities took the stage in Baliakandi, Dhaka Division, to perform a street drama. Their play, which highlighted the power of civic rights and community engagement, transformed lives. One elderly woman, once unaware of her right to demand better healthcare, shared, "Now I know I have the power to ask for better services." This moment was part of a larger movement, as Volunteer for Bangladesh reached 195 Upazilas with training programs on civic education. Over 6,000 youth engaged in these sessions, empowering around 15,000 people to actively participate in governance and community development.

   
2. 2

   VBD Stood by 1,00,000 families during COVID-19

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   VBD Stood by 1,00,000 families during COVID-19

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   When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Volunteer for Bangladesh (VBD) stepped up in an extraordinary way. During the lockdown, VBD provided relief to 1,00,000 families across the nation by distributing essential food supplies. As masks became essential, the organisation launched the "Apnar Mask Kothay?" campaign, distributing over 250,000 masks in 64 districts, raising awareness about public health safety.

   Additionally, our volunteers went door-to-door to help 30,000 elderly and underprivileged individuals register for the COVID-19 vaccine, ensuring no one was left behind. These efforts showcased the strength and compassion of Bangladesh's youth, turning a crisis into a movement of hope, unity, and positive change.

   As a true community leader, Shawket played a vital role in documenting 3,000 Rohingya refugees, helping many reunite with their families and facilitating the installation of schools in the camps. He has always shown up where help was needed most, from raising funds for those displaced by landslides in Rangamati to managing Iftar for 100 children during Ramadan. Shawket leads not from the front, but from the heart.

   His dedication has earned him the distinction of being the youngest Divisional President in Volunteer for Bangladesh’s history, and the honour of receiving the Diana Award in 2021, one of the most prestigious accolades for young changemakers globally. Established by the British government in memory of Princess Diana, the Diana Award recognises exceptional young people who go above and beyond to create positive change in their communities, and Shawket is the embodiment of that legacy.

   
3. 3

   VBD’s Tanzil Ferdous wins Emerging Young Leaders Award 2018

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   VBD’s Tanzil Ferdous wins Emerging Young Leaders Award 2018

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   Tanzil Ferdous, from VBD Chattogram, is honoured with the Emerging Young Leaders Award 2018 by the U.S. Department of State in recognition of her positive role in building sustainable peace, according to an official announcement. Tanzil actively works towards youth and community development and women’s rights in Bangladesh while simultaneously personally challenging traditional gender norms in her country.

   Other winners are Iraq’s Sara Abdullah Abdulrahman, Indonesia’s Diovio Alfath, Turkey’s Ece Çiftçi, Lithuania’s Zina Salim Hassan Hamu, Pakistan’s Dania Hassan, Norway’s Nancy Herz, South Africa’s Isasiphinkosi Mdingi, Panama’s José Rodríguez, and Tajikistan’s Firuz Yogbekov. The recipients will be presented with the award in a public ceremony at the State Department on May 2. They will visit the US for an intensive program from April 29 to May 12, specially designed to expand their leadership capacities, strengthen their knowledge of management strategies in the non-profit, government and private sectors, learn and share best practices, and broaden their networks of resources and support, the State Department said.

   The exchange program provides skills training to set awardees on paths for increased collaboration on global issues affecting youth, particularly those involved in building peace, combating extremism, and empowering youth. As the president of Volunteer for Bangladesh, the largest platform for youth volunteerism in the country, Tanzil has organized numerous successful events for community development, engaging hundreds of youth in volunteerism. “She believes that if youth are engaged and motivated to do community service, they will be deterred from extremist activities,” the State Department said. Currently, she is working with the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, to help them not become victims of extreme violence. Her work has helped support a safe space for 500 refugee children with the JAAGO Foundation in the Rohingya camps. “Tanzil’s mission is to empower adolescent girls and women, to bring them to leadership positions through capacity building and strengthening them to become the leaders of tomorrow,” the State Department said.

   
4. 4

   Rafiul Haque Anter from VBD Dhaka wins the Diana Award 2020

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   Rafiul Haque Anter from VBD Dhaka wins the Diana Award 2020

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   Rafiul Haque Anter, aged 23, from Bangladesh, has been recognised with the highest recognition a young person can achieve for social action or humanitarian efforts–The Diana Award. He has gone above and beyond in his daily life to create and sustain positive change.

   Established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, the Award is given out by the charity of the same name and has the support of both her sons, The Duke of Cambridge and The Duke of Sussex. For over twenty years, The Diana Award has valued and invested in young people, encouraging them to continue to make positive change in their communities and the lives of others.

   Rafiul joined Volunteer For Bangladesh, the Youth Wing of JAAGO Foundation as a volunteer back in 2014 to give some time out of his life to community service. He was selected as a committee member in just 2 months. From then onwards, he has been even more motivated to help the marginalised communities.

   During the course of his experience, Rafiul has shown exemplary leadership and decision-making skills. He has the willpower and vision to create change by motivating and encouraging people to bring out the best of their humanitarian nature. He has worked on some remarkable projects while volunteering in Volunteer For Bangladesh, including Universal Children Day, World Environment Day 2015, World Water Day 2014, Iftar with Old Home, A project involving collaboration of Football and Networking: Kick For Hope, and many more.

   “As one of the biggest youth platforms in Bangladesh, VBD provided me the scope to bring positive changes in my community and also provided me with different opportunities through projects to help create awareness, better the environment and work to meet the global goals.” – Rafiul Haque Anter

   
5. 5

   Md. Shawket Arafat from VBD Chattogram wins the Diana Award 2021

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   Md. Shawket Arafat from VBD Chattogram wins the Diana Award 2021

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   From humble beginnings to extraordinary impact, Shawket’s journey with Volunteer for Bangladesh is a powerful reminder of what dedication, compassion, and youth leadership can achieve.

   At just 17, Shawket began his volunteering journey. In only two years, his sincere commitment and drive propelled him to become the President of his District Board. But titles were never his goal–people were.

   As a true community leader, Shawket played a vital role in documenting 3,000 Rohingya refugees, helping many reunite with their families and facilitating the installation of schools in the camps. He has always shown up where help was needed most, from raising funds for those displaced by landslides in Rangamati to managing Iftar for 100 children during Ramadan. Shawket leads not from the front, but from the heart.

   His dedication has earned him the distinction of being the youngest Divisional President in Volunteer for Bangladesh’s history, and the honour of receiving the Diana Award in 2021, one of the most prestigious accolades for young changemakers globally. Established by the British government in memory of Princess Diana, the Diana Award recognises exceptional young people who go above and beyond to create positive change in their communities, and Shawket is the embodiment of that legacy.