ASPIRE
Your Monthly News & Updates
July 2017
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Lots of good is happening at OBAT and it's because of
you
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Aspire is now being released monthly to keep you up-to-date with all the news of positive changes
and the impact you are making.
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Where do we begin to thank you?
This Ramadan, you did it once again! You stepped forward with all your compassion and generosity and gave to our Ramadan campaign with open hearts! Our gratitude knows no bounds! Ramadan fundraising is our principal source of funding for all our projects that educate, heal and empower thousands, every year in the camps. This year, we were able to achieve 92% of our fundraising goal, with the top three states that contributed the most, being: Indiana, Michigan and Texas. If you didn't get the chance to give during Ramadan, you could still do so and help us reach 100% of our goal. Nevertheless, the prayers and well wishes of thousands of camp residents are behind you as you continue to stand by them, year after year. Thank you!
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OBAT staff distributed food supplies |
Charity distribution program feeds 3,090 families.
Every Ramadan, OBAT carries out a charity and food distribution program among the poorest camp families. This enables them to partake in the joys of Ramadan and Eid. The families receive a bag containing staples such as flour, sugar, rice, oil, vermicelli, lentils, etcetera. This year, the food distribution has so far benefited hundreds of families in Khulna, Halishahar, Syedpur, Sardar Bahadur Nagar, Ferozeshah, Rangpur and Dhaka. More cities will be covered in the following days.
We are thankful to all our volunteers, team and Think Tank youth who carried out this food distribution among the camp residents. The RS foundation in Canada, partnered with OBAT to provide the food packages to two hundred families in Alam Press, in Syedpur.
A local newspaper covered the food distribution:
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Congressman Andre Carson (l) with Dr. Saltagi and Mr. Anwar Khan.
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OBAT holds fundraising iftars in Indianapolis
The first weekend of June housed two of OBAT's iftars. On June 3rd, OBAT hosted its annual iftar at ISNA headquarters in Ind
ianapolis. Around four hundred and fifty people attended this event. The key note speaker was a notable community leader, Dr. Ahmed Saltagi. Indiana's Congressman Andre Carson, also joined the event to show his support.
The next day, OBAT held an interfaith iftar which was co sponsored by and held at the St.Luke's United Methodist Church. Speakers from the three Abrahamic faiths addressed the diverse interfaith audience. In their talks, the speakers, Dr. Eyas Raddad, Mr. George Kelley and Reverend Mike Mathers highlighted fasting and compassion in their respective religions and OBAT's important role as a local nonprofit in promoting the value of compassion through its work. The event was emceed by Emmy winning anchor of WTHR, Indianapolis' local
news channel, Ms. Naomi Pescovitz. Local newspaper, Nuvo's coverage of the event can be read here: bit.ly/NuvoArticle
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| Guests from the Intl. Ctr. at the interfaith iftar |
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A child holding his new Eid clothes |
Eid clothes distributed among Fifty orphan kids
OBAT's Dhaka team carried out a distribution of Eid clothes
among the orphan children in the camps. Fifty children accompanied the OBAT staff to the bazaar and chose their own Eid clothes.
Thanks to OBAT Media Production students and Think Tank volunteers who were involved in organizing this project and brought happiness to so many children.
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Mehendi fun! |
Kids enjoy Mehendi on Eid
Think Tank volunteers are always organizing thoughtful projects which bring happiness to the camp children. This Eid, they wanted the kids to enjoy Eid festivities to the fullest and putting on Mehendi or Henna, is a big part of it. They organized a mehendi festival in which Think Tank volunteers adorned the hands of girls with henna designs.
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Michigan community holds iftar/fundraisers for OBAT
On June 18th, the MCWS (Muslim Community of Western Suburbs) in Canton, Michigan, organized an iftar and fundraiser at the Crescent Academy's gym. This was the first time that an event for OBAT was held by Canton and its surrounding communities and the organization's work was introduced to them. A large crowd of approximately 450 people came out to support this program and event which was entirely organized by a team of amazing volunteers from the Canton community. Every aspect of the well-organized event was managed and coordinated by this wonderful volunteer group. We are immensely thankful to them for their wholehearted participation; a special thank you to the speaker and community leader, Mr. Imran Jalal. We would also like to offer our profound gratitude to the following people for their immense support in making this event possible:
Arif Akhtar, Ajaz Hizkil, Ashar Khan, Syed Sultan, Shakil Ahmed and Syed M. Hoda.
The IAGD (Islamic Association of Greater Detroit) also held a community fundraiser in which three charities were featured. OBAT was one of the three charities to which the funds collected were distributed.
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Soma Akhtar, middle, receives laptop from OBAT staff
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Student wins laptop!
Students at OBAT's Chittagong IT center submitted a request to be provided with
laptops to use at home. However, due to limited resources, one student could be
provided with a laptop and the student was selected through a drawing.
The drawing was won by, Soma Akhter. Soma is studying toward a
B.S.S. degree at Chittagong Women College and is a resident
of SB Nagar camp. She has completed
a Microsoft office application course from
OBAT's Chittagong IT center. Soma is just one
of the several students who could
benefit immensely from a personal computer.
Reach us at [email protected] if you would like to sponsor a computer for a student.
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A doctor prescribes medication to a camp resident |
Local NGO's, help camp residents during Ramadan
Bidyanondo, a local nonprofit in Bangladesh, organized a medical camp (offering medical check ups)
and an iftar among the
deserving families at the BLS High School in Mirpur. Boxes
containing food items for iftar were distributed after the medical check ups were conducted.
AWARD, another nonprofit and a valued OBAT partner, distributed Eid gifts (consisting of several food items such as meat, sugar and rice) and Eid clothes among the staff and teachers of the BLS School. The packages were sponsored by Mr. Ishtiak, one of the core members of AWARD. We are thankful to our partners for creating joy among the camp residents at Eid.
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New documentary created by camp students!
We are extremely proud of students from OBAT Media Productions who took the initiative of creating a new documentary for OBAT. Please watch this video that was created, produced and directed by students who have recently been trained in video making, by OBAT's Executive Director, Mr. Immad Ahmed.
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| The path to empowerment- creating hope and dignity |
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The kids enjoy their lunch
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Eid lunch feeds 150 children
An Eid lunch was arranged for the children in the camps in Sardar Bahadur Nagar, by OBAT. One hundred and fifty kids were fed a hearty lunch on this occasion. All the kids enjoyed the program and came dressed in their Eid clothes.
We are extremely grateful to our long time supporter, Mr. Ejazur Rahman who provided the funding for this program.
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Chief guests distribute the fans |
Lion's Club distributes fans in OBAT's Halishaher School
The Lions Club of Chittagong gifted four ceiling fans to OBAT's Primary School in Halishaher. Mr Shah Alam Babul, Ex Governor of Lions Club Of Chittagong was present as a chief guest.
Mr. Amdadul Karim Soikat, President of International Human Rights, Chittagong Divison also attended, among several other notable guests. The program was sponsored by Lions Club Of Chittagong, Rose Valley and
organized by, Leo Club of Chittagong, Liberty. We are grateful to the Lions Club for their continued support towards OBAT.
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Think Tank organizes Iftar program
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Iftar organized by Think Tank
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OBAT's Think Tank students and staff, collaboratively organized an I
ftar
program. It was wonderful to have the following people present at this event:
- Syed Jalal Uddin Ahmed (Board member, OBAT Helpers- Bangladesh)
- Mr. Shakib (Director from ULAB)
- 15 medical students from IFMSA (International Federation of Medical Student's Association-Bangladesh)
Other than the above, approximately, fifty students joined the iftar program from OBAT's tutoring center and think
tank as well.
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Help us raise funds through Facebook
Facebook's appeal can extend beyond posting selfies and tempting photos of meals. Now you can use the social media site to raise funds for charities as well! Imagine the immense impact if all of our donors created a fundraiser for OBAT on their personal Facebook pages and invited their Facebook family to participate!
We promise, it will take not more than five minutes.
Check it out!
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Inspired?
DONATE to our projects!
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