Sunday, December 26, 2010

Annual Cultural Program & Report Card Day






Annual Cultural Program & Report Card Day was held on 23rd December 2010 at Gawair School Field (opposite The Dhaka Project School). A beautiful stage was decorated with sound system and Laser lights.
The program began at 3:00 PM. Arifur Rahman Rossie was present as the Chief Guest. The program began with the recitation from The Holly Quran. There were several dance shows of different groups. The dance of the students impressed the audience very much. There were several thousand spectators at the Gawair School Field. Thousands more on the roofs of buildings and houses.
Later Arifur Rahman Rossie (Chief Guest), Rashedul Islam (Deputy Project Manager-TDP) and Parveen Sultana (Principal-TDPS) distributed prizes among the students of different categories. The categories were First, Second & Third position holders of each class and Highest class attendance in each class. The Volunteers (Students) for Annual Cultural Program & Report Card Day also received prizes.
Prizes were distributed among the teachers too. Teacher Mirza Sonia and Nazrul sang songs on the stage along with different group of students.
The evening show was the most magnificent of all shows. The laser lights effects created a charming situation on the stage. All the spectators watched the show with rapt attention. A drama was staged at the end of the show based on the Liberation war of 1971.
It was a great day for the students of The Dhaka project School. Everyone enjoyed the show before the winter vacation. The school will open on 2nd January 2011.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Christmas gifts from Maja Ulbrich



Volunteer Maja Ulbrich bought Cakes for pre-school children and staffs of The Dhaka Project to celebrate Merry Christmas at 11:00 AM.
Later she distributed gift bags to the children of Play Group where she is volunteering. The gift bags contains Cholates, Oranges, Lollipops, Biscuits, Toys, Color pencils, a group picture etc. The Children were very much delighted.
The kids love Maja Ulbrich very much.
Thank You Maja Ulbrich for the nice gifts.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Year Final Report Card Day at TDPS



21th December 2010 was the Year Final Report Card Day of The Dhaka Project School (TDPS). Parents were also present during the Report Card distribution. Volunteer Maja Ulbrich inaugurated the report card distribution at 10:00 A.M. among the students of the Play Group. Parveen Sultana, Principal of TDPS and class teacher Hosne Ara were present. These students will be attending new classes from 2nd January 2011 at Nursery.
Simultaneously Mahmuda Akter, Vice- Principal of TDPS and respective class teachers distributed report cards among the students of the Nursery, KG-1, KG-2, Std-1,2,3,4,6 & 7.
All the students are happy to attend New class from January.

Weekly Food Distribution





21th December 2010 was Weekly Food Distribution of The Dhaka Project School. Students were lined-up according to their grades as usual. Names were called by Mr. Azad based on the weekly class presence. Usually Every Thursday is a food distribution day but the distribution took place on Tuesday. Double quantity of food was given to the students as the school shall remain closed for Winter Vacation from 24th December 2010 to 1st January 2011.
Bags containing Rice, Lentil, Potato, Onions, Garlic & Eggs were distributed among the students from 3:30 P.M. The picture on the left shows a single pack of food.
Bag full of weekly diet food recommended by TDP Medical Centre reduces the burden of nutrition among the student’s family. Food distribution day is a happy day for the student’s of The Dhaka Project School.
The younger students are recommended to bring their parents to carry the food bags to their home. The students always enjoy on the food distribution day.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Thank You ISD PTA


International School Dhaka (ISD) Parents Teacher Association (PTA) is a regular donor of The Dhaka Project. 200 slum students of The Dhaka Project had EC classes at ISD this year (2010). The most deprived children of the society (Slum children) had an excellent experience with the most privileged children of the society.
ISD PTA seems to always care for the 500 slum children and handed over a donation cheque of 75,000 (Seventy Five Thousand) Taka on 14 December 2010. Kazi Touhid Elahi, Assist Manager (Sponsorship & Communication Desk) of The Dhaka Project received the cheque from Syeda Farzana Rahim, Vice President, ISD PTA. Richard Tangye, CEO, ISD and Tania Siddique, President, ISD PTA were present too.
A Big Thankyou to ISD PTA. The Dhaka Project always welcomes donors like you to break the cycle of poverty in slums of Dhaka through education and social development.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Thankyou! Virgin, Pink Pepper and CSPR Group





Virgin, Pink Pepper and CSPR Group of United Arab Emirates published a Calendar of 2011 with the photographs of 14 Dhaka Project slum students. Each page advertises the dream of a needy child with a nice photograph. Thanks to Virgin, Pink Pepper and CSPR Group and its Team Members who worked hard for 2 Days in Dhaka. The 500 Slum Children & The Dhaka Project is always grateful to them. A Big Thank You to Virgin, Pink Pepper and CSPR Group.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Irish Volunteer Sarah Ryall


Sarah Ryall, an Irish Volunteer, came to The Dhaka Project on the 2nd December 2010 and is Volunteering for the Senior Section. She is a Science Teacher and hard about The Dhaka Project from a friend in UAE. This is her first time to Bangladesh and she hopes to Volunteer for 2 weeks. She likes the Extra Curriculum (EC) classes including General Knowledge, Quiz competition etc. She also takes classes on English Language for Class 5 & 8. She took some English Language and Phonetic classes for KG 2 also. She spends every Saturday with the students of Day Care where she seems most busy---Dancing, Singing & Playing with the little kids. Sarah seems to enjoy the Voluntary work at The Dhaka Project.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Weekly Food Distribution Day




11th December 2010 was the Weekly Food Distribution Day of The Dhaka Project School. Students were lined-up according to their grades as usual. Names were called by Mr. Azad based on the weekly class presence. Usually Every Thursday is a food distribution day but the distribution took place on Saturday. Double quantity of food was given to the students as the weather was bad (raining cats & dogs) last week. Volunteer Maja Ulbrich and Sarah Ryall were present and helped to distribute the food bags.
Bags containing Rice, Lentil, Potato, Onions, Garlic & Eggs were distributed among the students from 3:30 P.M.
Bag full of weekly diet food recommended by TDP Medical Centre reduces the burden of nutrition among the student’s family. Food distribution day is a happy day for the student’s of The Dhaka Project School.
The younger students are recommended to bring their parents to carry the food bags to their home. The students always enjoy on the food distribution day.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Aged Women Volunteer Maja Ulbrich


Maja Ulbrich (76) is perhaps the most aged women Volunteer we had in The Dhaka Project. She came on the 2nd December 2010 and is Volunteering for the Play Group. She lives in Oslo, Norway. The -20 degree temperature forced her to come to Dhaka. This is her first time to Bangladesh and she hopes to Volunteer for 2 months. She is a retired and works as a Guide for tourist in Oslo. She visited India several times and always travels to different countries. She is enjoying the teaching at Play and loves all the kids.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Thank you for The Donations

The Dhaka Project always appreciates old and new donors. A Big Thankyou to JEBEL ALI PRIMARY SCHOOL (750 Euro), SPENDE (50 Euro), JOHNSON CONTROLS (757.99 Euro), CASSAR + ALLINGTON (99 Euro), Unknown donor (30 Euro) and FERNANDES MICHEL (89.34 Euro) for the donations to the Dhaka project. The Dhaka Project always welcomes donors like you to break the cycle of poverty in slums of Dhaka through education and social development.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Karate Kids...at The Dhaka Project






...learning values of self discipline, self control and respect for others through Taekwondo [ Korean karate ].

The writer is a Retired Senior Vice-President Customer Affairs & Service Audit, Richard Ng, visited Dhaka recently as a volunteer of The Dhaka Project. During His seventh visit to the Project, Richard taught martial arts to the kids.

Here is his story…

Attention! Bow ! At Ease !

With those commands, thirty Primary 3 students at The Dhaka Project in Gawair started their very first lesson in the art of “hand and foot” fighting --- Taekwondo.

Taekwondo is the Korean equivalent of Japanese karate. It is an official sport in the Olympic Games.

The kids in The Dhaka Project were excited when selected for the training sessions. 15 boys and 15 girls make up the class. They were in high spirits. They just could not wait to begin!

But, first things first.

Coach Richard tells the kids what they should and should not do with the self-defense skills learned; no picking fights with anyone under pain of expulsion from the class; no playful kicks and punches less someone gets injured; only when attacked and to self-defend or protect others, can Taekwondo skills be used.

Values of self-control, self-discipline and respect for others were stressed over and over again. Kids forget easily. So, the tenets of Korean karate had to be made clear, unambiguous and forceful.

The Volunteer Manager at The Dhaka Project, Mr Safikur Rahman, affectionately known as Jewel, acted as the translator.

The training begins.

As the drill progresses, the kids stumble, lose balance, perform awkward and sometimes hilarious moves. Coach Richard moves in between the rows to encourage, prompt, correcting stances, aligning hand and foot to proper combat-ready positions, shows how to kick, punch and hand-block the correct way.

Just before the command is given to stand to attention, bow and be at ease, the kids force out a powerful exhale yelling “hiiyah!” at the moment of impact. There is laughter. The girls giggle.

As each training day progresses, the kids adjust to the physical exertion of kicking, punching, blocking. The karate kids begin to amaze...

There is now steadiness, balance, synchronised movements of hand and foot in true martial arts style. They demonstrate competently the horse-riding stance, protection of head, face and groin using upper and lower hand blocks, execute frontal kicks, side kicks, deliver menacing punches.

I am impressed.


Apart from the obvious benefit derived by the children in practicing Taekwondo
[ self-defense, physical fitness, weight control ], the children increase their self confidence and self esteem too.

The resilience shown by the karate kids at The Dhaka Project illustrates the role nurture and education plays in the development of a child’s growth.

From the slums and streets of Dhaka, these previously marginalised kids and outcast in society, demonstrated that they have stamina, grit, mental strength to undertake the rigours of Taekwondo training...if given the chance to do so.

For these kids to develop into competent martial arts practitioners, it is hoped that a Dhaka-based Taekwondo instructor would someday come forward to volunteer and lead the kids to reach to the advanced Black belt level.

I departed Dhaka feeling pleased that the seeds of Taekwondo have been sown to these young hearts and minds. It now needs the consistency of a full-time coach for these kids to blossom.

Year Final Examination Starts from 1st December 2010



It’s winter in Bangladesh. Students of The Dhaka Project School are busy for the Year Final Examination 2010. The Examination is scheduled to be held from 1st to 13th December 2010.
The Subject includes for different classes are Bangla, English (Language), English (Literature), Mathematics, General Science, Social Science, Social Studies, Religion, Physical Education, Agriculture& Home Economics and Arts & Crafts.
All the Exams are scheduled to be held from 9:00 AM. Teachers are busy guarding the class rooms.
The Year Final Result will be published on 21st December 2010. Students will go to new classes from January 2011.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Lollipops Distributed at Pre School



28th November 2010, Students of Daycare, Play Group & Nursery were busy in their classes. At 10:30 A.M. Lollipops were brought.
The little kids were very happy when Mr. Azad distributed lollipops among the students. They were singing in a chorus `Lollipop! Lollipop! Lollipop!’ -----A charming and exciting moment indeed.
The Cabin Crews of Emirates Airline bought these lollipops for the children of The Dhaka Project School through Emirates Airline.
The Dhaka Project is always grateful to them.
Thanks to all donors in Dubai.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Weekly Food Distribution Day




27th November 2010 was the Weekly Food Distribution Day of The Dhaka Project School. Students were lined-up according to their grades as usual. Names were called by Mr. Azad based on the weekly class presence. Usually Every Thursday is a food distribution day but the distribution took place on Saturday. Double quantity of food was given to the students as it was an Eid Holiday.
Bags containing Rice, Lentil, Potato, Onions, Garlic & Eggs were distributed among the students from 3:30 P.M.
Bag full of weekly diet food recommended by TDP Medical Centre reduces the burden of nutrition among the student’s family. Food distribution day is a happy day for the student’s of The Dhaka Project School.
Students from KG 1 to Std 8 were given double quantity of food bags. The younger students are recommended to bring their parents to carry the food bags to their home. The students always enjoy on the food distribution day. (Items on the picture contains a single Food Bag)

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Garden for The Dhaka Project School





Karin Tollinger, an Austrian Volunteer visited The Dhaka Project School for the 1st time on 21st November 2010. The activities of the school for 500 slum children delighted her very much. The front side of the school was bare and looked odd. She thought of the beautification of the front side of the school and volunteered for two days to make a garden. Some school children of Grade 8 including staffs of the Dhaka Project helped her. She bought some flower plants from Uttara, Dhaka and also received some donated plants from the Land owner Mr. Lehaj Uddin. A Gardening team consisting of Grade 8 students Al Amin, Tipu Sultan, Rubel & some others will be the caretaker of the Garden. Karin also donated money to make a bamboo fence surrounding the garden so that the plants are kept safe from children and passer-by. Thanks to Karin Tollinger for her beautiful Idea.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Iqbal Qayyum Donates to The Dhaka Project



Iqbal Qayyum (Left) revisited The Dhaka Project School on 22nd November 2010. He was very much delighted by the activities of The Dhaka Project. He donated 20,000 (Twenty Thousands) Taka. He is a regular donor of The Dhaka Project. Iqbal Qayyum lives in UK and has a generous heart for the poor Slum children of Bangladesh. A Big Thank You to Iqbal Qayyum from all the Children of The Dhaka Project School and Team members.

Primary Education Completion Exam. from 23rd Nov.



Grade 5 Students of The Dhaka Project School are busy for the final revision of Primary Education Completion Exam.2010 which will start from 23rd November. The Exam will be held under Directorate of Primary Education under Ministry of Education, Dhaka. The students will have to seat for Exam at Bonoful Adibasi Greenheart College, Mirpur, Section-13, Dhaka-----An hour and a half journey from The Dhaka Project School. A total of 6 Exams will be held in 6 days which includes Bangla, English, Mathematics, Introduction to Environment (Science), Introduction to Environment (Social) and Religion. Two teachers will act as Guides and a transport will be used to carry the students From The Dhaka Project to the Exam Centre and then back again. This is the 1st Batch of The Dhaka Project School to sit for a Primary Education Completion Exam.
Let’s hope for the best

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Universal Children’s Day 11th Nov. 2010








November 11,2010 is observed as Universal Children’s Day throughout the world. It was a fun day for the students of The Dhaka Project School. A rally was held at 9:00 AM which proceeded Gawair School Road, Kazi Bari Road, Gawair Bazar Road, The Dhaka Project office Road and ended at The Dhaka Project School.
All other programs were held on the roof-top of the school. Principal Parveen Sultana inaugurated the program and the day began with the Recitation from Quran by a student. All the students along with teachers and staffs sang the National Anthem, `Amer Sonar Bangla’ (My Golden Bengal).
Drawing Competition began from 9:30 AM. Students were divided into 4 Groups. It was an open Drawing Competition. Students drew with rapt attention.
Poem Recitation Competition for the elders and Rhymes Recitation Competition for play Group and Nursery section began at 10:30 AM. The little kids seemed to attract the audience most.
Music Competition (singing song) began from 11:30 AM. Dance Competition began from 12:30 PM. The Dance and Music Competition cheered up the students so much that they enjoyed ever bit of the show. Frequent clippings encouraged the participants too. Visitor Capt. David Ring and Capt. Stuart Vallance (Emirates Airlines) were present during the Dance Competition.
All the students were provided with breakfast in the morning (8:30 AM) and Apples were distributed during the interval.
At 3:30 (After lunch break) Certificates were distributed among the First, Second & Third position holders. Some of the students achieved 2 or 3 Certificates. When there is a program there always seems an all rounder.
a movie night was held at The Dhaka Project School roof-top at 6:00 PM.
Students of Standard 3 Section A, B & C were invited to watch the Movie Taare Jameen Per ----a Hindi movie based on a student who is an exception child named Eshan, could not cope with the school children and was later admitted to a boarding School, though he was a weaker student he possessed an exception quality in drawing, he became 1st in the Art competition and became famous in his school. The show ended at 8:00 PM on the Big Screen.
It was really a happy day for the students of The Dhaka Project School

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Weekly Food Distribution Day


4th November 2010 was the Weekly Food Distribution Day of The Dhaka Project School. Students were lined-up according to their grades as usual. Names were called by Mr. Azad based on the weekly class presence. Every Thursday is a food distribution day.
Bags containing Rice, Lentil, Potato, Onions, Garlic & Eggs were distributed among the students from 3:30 P.M.
Bag full of weekly diet food recommended by TDP Medical Centre reduces the burden of nutrition among the student’s family. Food distribution day is a happy day for the student’s of The Dhaka Project School.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Junior School Certificate Exam.2010 Starts from 4th Nov.



Grade 8 Students of The Dhaka Project School are busy for the final revision of Junior School Certificate Exam.2010 which will start from 4th November. The Exam will be held under Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Dhaka. The students will have to seat for Exam at Mirpur Ideal Girls’ School & College, Section-10, Dhaka-----An hour and a half journey from The Dhaka Project School. A total of 9 Exams will be held in 7 days which includes Bangla 1st Part, Bangla 2nd Part, English 1st Part, English 2nd Part, Mathematics, Religion, General Science, Social Science and Agriculture Studies. Two teacher will act as Guides and a transport will be used to carry the students From The Dhaka Project to the Exam Centre and then back again. This is the 1st Batch of The Dhaka Project School to sit for a Board Exam.
Let’s hope for the best