ENSURING EDUCATION FOR EVERYONE

Korvi Rakshand is a Bangladeshi social entrepreneur and Founder of JAAGO Foundation. He attained L.L.B Honours from the University of London. He left behind a comfortable life and the generic idea of a prosperous future to dedicate his life to something more worthwhile founding JAAGO Foundation together with a group of young students. Today, JAAGO Foundation supports the education of 3500 children across its 12 branches all over Bangladesh.

MBR: What can be the area of focus for the organization which is interested to participate in CSR activities in Bangladesh?

Korvi Rakshand Dhrubo: One of the biggest problems today youth faces is the unequal access to opportunity and the lack of emphasis on education. For economic growth to occur, the younger population must have access to quality education, adequate nutrition and health. Being a middle income country, this is really appreciative that the corporate organizations are showing interest and coming forward for the purpose of country’s development through various CSR initiatives. In Bangladesh still, there are a lot of setbacks and unemployment is a major one. The core factor behind this is the candidates not having enough skill and proper quality education. Education is the backbone of every society in this world. But what matters the most is the quality education- a dream for many. In order to serve this root cause, ensuring quality education to disadvantaged community should be the main triggered area of focus for the organizations that are interested to participate in CSR activities in Bangladesh. Apart from this, good health and hygiene is also a dire need for Bangladesh to plan and design interventions to meet the SDG target.

MBR: As CSR partner of IDLC, how do you think IDLC is impacting the society through CSR activities?

Korvi Rakshand Dhrubo: JAAGO Foundation is gratified for being a CSR partner of IDLC. With an aim to enhance the school facilities necessary for education, IDLC supported the expansion of Rangpur branch of Jaago Foundation School through building a new classroom. The expansion facilitated the accommodation of 75 students per day which is 1,650 students per month (22 days). This approach was dedicated towards the enhancement of facilities for education provided to children living in rural areas who will be able to study in classrooms in similar set up to urban environment. IDLC also contributes in uninterrupted education of the students of Bandarban branch by providing stationaries.

Lately, IDLC organized a fundraising event - Anondomela Sharabela with four Organizations, where JAAGO Foundation students got the golden opportunity to have a wonderful day out drowning in happiness. This arrangement has broadened the thoughts of the JAAGO kids and at the same time people who came from prime class got to merge with them to see their life and support these kids to have a better life.

Alongside partnering with JAAGO, IDLC is also involved in project which aims to bring together volunteers, stakeholders, employees and various partners to tackle social problems all across Bangladesh in fields of health, education, nutrition and livelihood, and work to preserve the environment. From saving people from difficult winter by donating warmth to saving environment through various collaborations, IDLC has always put their footprint wherever it was necessary. Even when it came to preserve a local Cultural Hubs IDLC has been there to the rescue.

MBR: What are the areas which financial institutions can further work on toward development of the society?

Korvi Rakshand Dhrubo: Youth are the most important and dynamic segment of the population in any country. One third of the young population of Bangladesh could bring tremendous growth, they can invest in young people’s education, health and protect and guarantee their rights. It is no doubt to say that today’s young are tomorrow’s innovators, creators, builders and leaders. But they need the required support in terms of good health and opportunities skills to transform the future.

Education and skill development are two of the broad areas eligible for CSR activities. The education activities include promoting education, including special education and employment enhancing vocation skills especially among children, women, elderly and the differently abled and livelihood enhancement projects.

In 2015, more than 190 world leaders committed to 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to help us all end extreme poverty, fight inequality & injustice, and fix climate change. We each have a role to play if we’re going to achieve these goals of a more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable world. Bangladesh Government has declared to achieve these goals by 2030. For Bangladesh SDG goals 1 (No Poverty), 2 (No Hunger), 3 (Good Health And Well Being) 4 (Quality Education), 6 (Clean Water And Sanitation), 13 (Climate Action), 17 (Partnership For The Goals) are the most important ones. Expecting only Government and NGO’s to come forward to attain these goals, can never be an option. It should be a cumulative endeavor by private sector supporting Government bodies and NGOs to serve the purpose and catalyze the process to achieve global goals. Together we can have a beautiful country that is sustainably developed.

MBR: To ensure sustainable development of a society, what kind of infrastructural development is necessary? Do you think the current initiatives under the platform of CSR are enough to ensure sustainability? What more can be done to achieve it?

Korvi Rakshand Dhrubo: In order to ensure sustainable development of a society, proper planning is the most important thing. There are a lot of possible sectors yet to be taken under the umbrella of CSR projects. To attain sustainable developments, long term ideations are required. For instance, instead of having a one-day training or workshop, a proper education from the root would serve the purpose better.

Good quality education is a foundation for dynamic and equitable societies. In that case we can refer JAAGO’s “Sponsor A Classroom” project, thus upscaling lives of 40 students and ensuring a better future for each of their families. Long term projects having proper and realistic goals can be a platform to have sustainable development of a society.