Education for development and sustainability - EDS

Saima Rahman has made us proud today. She was invited by the BRAC University Community Services, a student initiative, as a motivational speaker to talk to girls of different age groups. She spoke very well, played with the kids and taught them about good touch and bad touch, encouraged them to learn through activities. She spoke with the MD of KK Foundation with such clarity that made me so proud of her.

সায়মা রহমান আজকে মোটিভেশনাল স্পিকার হিসেবে ঢাকার কেকে ফাউন্ডেশনের বাচ্চাদের সাথে প্রায় ৪০ মিনিট কথা বলেছে। খেলার ছলে গল্প বলার ছলে ওদেরকে নানা ধরনের শারিরীক স্পর্শ কেমন করে বুঝতে হবে শিখিয়েছে। খুব সাহসের সাথে ইডিএস এর কাজ নিয়ে কথা বলেছে ফাউন্ডেশনের ম্যানেজিং ডিরেক্টর-এর সাথে। সায়মা অত্যন্ত ভালো একটা অভিজ্ঞতা নিয়ে ফিরছে। সায়মা আমাদের সবার গর্ব।

Our youths recently celebrated the 35-year journey of EDS.
The aim of the event was to build a strong network among EDS youth and to recognize their meaningful contributions. We invited only EDS board members and a few distinguished guests connected to education and youth development. Although the celebration was small in scale, it brought us great inspiration and motivation to continue our work with even more dedication.

We sincerely apologize that we could not invite all our valued volunteers due to time limitations and limited financial resources. We deeply appreciate the dedicated contribution of every volunteer, supporter, and well-wisher of EDS. We hope you will continue to stand beside our children and youth as they work to build a brighter and more sustainable future for their communities.

Special Thanks to Our Honored invited Guests

1. Dr. Tahmina Islam — Professor, Department of Social Work, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet

2. Krishna Rani — Additional Deputy Director, Department of Agricultural Extension, Satkhira

3. Nurul Islam — President, EDS

4. Anwar Hossain — Manager, Product & Market Development, Malik Seeds

5. Mir Asaduzzaman — Additional Superintendent of Police, Dhaka Metropolitan Police

6. Sheikh Zillur Rahman — Commander, Bangladesh Air Force

7. Dr. Sabiha Haque — Professor, Department of English, BRAC University

8. Shahadat Hossain — Senior Manager, Supply Chain Management, Amber Denim Mills Ltd.

9. Dr. Robiul Islam — Health Officer, BCS (Health)

10. Mr. Chayedur Rahman — District Education Officer, Khulna

11. Dr. Razzakul Islam — Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Commerce

12. Akhtar Hossain — Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

13. Dr. Matiul Islam — Professor, Khulna University

14. Md. Alamin — Co-founder, EDS

15. Ms. Kaniz Mostafa — Deputy Director, District Social Services Office, Khulna

16. Police Commissioner, Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) — Representative

17. Dr. Hafizur Rahman — Founder of EDS; Teacher and Researcher, Norway (Joined online)

18. Mukit Billah — European Commission Humanitarian Aid Department; University friend of Dr. Hafizur Rahman.

19. Md. Abdul Kader — AGM, Toshiba Asia Pacific
20. Tanuja Mandol; Producer at Bangladesh National Parliament Secretariat

With heartfelt appreciation,
The EDS Family

লেখার শেষে বাংলায় লেখা আছে
The Inspirational Journey of Torikul, Arefin, and Zakaria

Torikul, Arefin, and Zakaria are only 16–17 years old. They grew up as EDS students, and for the past 4–10 years, they have been giving their time as dedicated volunteers. Every week, six days, eight hours a day, they balance their own studies while taking responsibility for the free education of 300 children. Beyond teaching, they walk door-to-door to check if children are attending school regularly and to help solve problems when families struggle. Their contribution is enormous, and recognition was long overdue.

That recognition came when Professor Dr. Tahmina Islam from the Department of Social Work at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) invited them to present their work in her class. At first, they could hardly believe it: “We will give a presentation at a university?” Torikul, nervous but honest, said, “Uncle, I’ve never given a presentation before. I’m scared. But maybe I should just share what I do every day.” I told him, “Exactly—that’s your strength. Speak from your heart, not from memorization.”

Preparation began immediately. Zakaria, ICT lead at EDS, admitted his knees were shaking, but he declared: “Uncle, this is the biggest opportunity of our lives. We will prove that we also have something to contribute.” They worked tirelessly, even during their 15–20 hour train ride from Khulna to Sylhet. Torikul showed incredible courage by asking university students on the train to let him practice in front of them. One SUST student and even a BUET student joined in, giving feedback as he refined his talk.

Once in Sylhet, they did not rest. A master’s student in social work, Pias, and his friends helped them rehearse for hours, asking challenging questions and pushing them to raise their level. Later, Torikul called me from the hotel: “Uncle, this is not like guiding small children at EDS. We must be ready for difficult questions. Tomorrow we won’t go sightseeing—we will spend the entire day preparing. Professor Tahmina has trusted us, and we cannot let her down.”

After their presentation, I called Pias. With emotion in his voice, he said: “Sir, at first I thought they were just kids—what could they possibly say? But their depth of thought and their initiative amazed me. Even as social work students, we have not taken such bold steps. We have much to learn from them.”

This is exactly what educational theory calls social capital—the networks and relationships that open doors to opportunities once thought impossible. These boys once had none. Today, through EDS, they are connected to professors, mentors, and students who value them as equals.

It is also a story of experiential learning. They did not just prepare in classrooms; they practiced on trains, in front of strangers, with peers, and mentors—turning every encounter into a learning opportunity.

And above all, it is a story of mastery (mestring, as we say in Norwegian). Zakaria said afterwards: “Uncle, before we went, my knees were shaking. But when I saw Professor Tahmina sitting beside us, I felt safe. Once I began speaking, the fear disappeared. This was a huge experience for me. Now I feel I can present anywhere.”

Torikul reflected even more deeply: “Uncle, I never imagined I would get such a chance. Before the presentation, I felt you had made a mistake choosing me. I didn’t believe in myself. But afterwards, I realized how important it was. I always thought I was small because I lacked higher education. Now I understand that even without higher education, I can share knowledge and also learn from those who have it. This confidence will take my life to a higher level. And when Professors Sabiha and Tahmina sat with us, eating and talking like equals, I felt proud. I remembered your words: I am not society’s burden—I too can contribute to society.”

These three young men have proven a profound truth: with guidance, love, and opportunity, marginalized youth are not society’s problems but its greatest resources. Their journey embodies the essence of transformative learning—changing not just their own lives but also inspiring everyone around them to see the world differently. They are no longer just students. They are role models, leaders, and carriers of hope for Bangladesh.

Thanks to Tahmina apa, Nurul Hasan, Sabiha apa, Alamin, Piash, Ibrahim, Torikul, Arefin, Zakaria and all students and NGO's in Sylhet for your cooperation!

তরিকুল, আরেফিন আর জাকারিয়ার অনুপ্রেরণার গল্প

তরিকুল, আরেফিন আর জাকারিয়া—তাদের বয়স মাত্র ১৬–১৭। কিন্তু এই অল্প বয়সেই তারা প্রমাণ করেছে, ইচ্ছাশক্তি আর ভালোবাসা থাকলে অসম্ভব কিছু নেই। ছোটবেলা থেকে তারা EDS-এর ছাত্র, আর গত ৪–১০ বছর ধরে নিজের পড়াশোনার পাশাপাশি প্রতিদিন ৮ ঘণ্টা, সপ্তাহে ৬ দিন সেচ্ছাসেবক হিসেবে কাজ করছে। তাদের প্রচেষ্টায় প্রায় ৩০০ শিশু প্রতিদিন ফ্রি শিক্ষা পাচ্ছে। শুধু পড়ানোই নয়—তারা প্রতিদিন বাড়ি বাড়ি গিয়ে খোঁজ নেয় শিশুরা স্কুলে যাচ্ছে কিনা, কোনো সমস্যায় আছে কিনা। অথচ এদের জন্যে দিনে তিনবেলা খাবার জোটানো খুবই কষ্টকর।

সম্প্রতি তাদের জীবনে এলো এক বড় সুযোগ। শাহজালাল বিজ্ঞান ও প্রযুক্তি বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের (SUST) সমাজকর্ম বিভাগের অধ্যাপক ড. তাহমিনা ইসলাম তাদের ক্লাসে আমন্ত্রণ জানালেন। শুনেই ওরা অবাক—“আমরা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ে প্রেজেন্টেশন করব?” ভয়ে কাঁপছিল, কিন্তু ভয়ের চেয়ে বড় ছিল দায়িত্ববোধ।

ট্রেনে ১৫–২০ ঘণ্টার দীর্ঘ যাত্রাতেও ওরা সময় নষ্ট করেনি। ট্রেনেই বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের ছাত্রদের খুঁজে বের করে প্র্যাকটিস করেছে। ফিডব্যাক নিয়েছে, ভুলগুলো ঠিক করেছে। সিলেটে পৌঁছেও প্র্যাকটিস থামেনি। বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের ছাত্র পিয়াস ও তার বন্ধুরা পাশে দাঁড়িয়েছে, কঠিন প্রশ্ন করেছে, উত্তর দিয়েছে। এভাবেই ধীরে ধীরে ভেতরের ভয়টা কেটে গেছে।

প্রেজেন্টেশনের পর তাদের চোখে যে আত্মবিশ্বাস দেখেছি—তা ছিল অসাধারণ। জাকারিয়া বললো, “যাওয়ার আগে হাঁটু কাঁপছিল, কিন্তু যখন দেখলাম তাহমিনা আপা আমাদের পাশে বসে আছেন, তখন মনে হলো ভুল হলে উনি ঠিক করে দেবেন। আর তখন ভয় কেটে গেল। এখন আমি বুঝি—আমি পারব। আবার সুযোগ পেলে আরও ভালো করব।”

তরিকুল বললো, “আমি ভাবতাম আপনি আমাকে বেছে ভুল করেছেন। আমার তো উচ্চশিক্ষা নেই, আমি কেন প্রেজেন্টেশন দেব? কিন্তু শেষে বুঝেছি—আমারও দেওয়ার মতো কিছু আছে। বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের ছাত্রদের থেকে যেমন শিখেছি, তেমনি তারাও আমাদের থেকে শিখেছে। এ আত্মবিশ্বাস আমার জীবন বদলে দেবে। আর সবচেয়ে গর্বের মুহূর্ত ছিল যখন প্রফেসর তাহমিনা ও প্রফেসর সাবিহা আমাদের সাথে একসাথে বসে খেয়েছেন, কথা বলেছেন, উৎসাহ দিয়েছেন। তখন মনে হচ্ছিল যে —আমরাও সমাজের অংশ, আমরা সমাজের বোঝা নয়, আমরা সমাজের সম্পদ"

এই তিন তরুণ আমাদের দেখিয়ে দিল—সঠিক দিকনির্দেশনা, ভালোবাসা আর সামান্য সুযোগ পেলেই প্রান্তিক যুবকরাই হতে পারে সমাজ পরিবর্তনের চালিকাশক্তি। আজ তারা শুধু ছাত্র নয়, তারা অনুপ্রেরণা, তারা আশার আলো।

My Journey: From darkness to light: Mehedi Hasan munna
I was once a boy who believed I had no future. Burdened by hopelessness, I felt like I had nothing to offer the world. Growing up in a neighborhood riddled with challenges, I drifted into darkness. I dropped out of school and joined a youth gang, spending my days in fights, disrupting others, and engaging in illegal activities. The police harassed me constantly, and my parents lived in constant fear—afraid I would end up in jail or lose my life.

A turning point: Finding hope at EDS
Amid this chaos, a glimmer of hope appeared when I first joined EDS (Education for Development and Sustainability) as a child. EDS gave me free education and a sense of belonging. But the lure of bad company was strong, and I drifted away, falling deeper into destructive behavior. Everything changed when Dr. Hafizur Rahman (founder, EDS), a mentor I deeply respect, stepped in. He reminded me of my worth and showed me that my life could have meaning if I chose a different path. His unwavering belief in me was the push I needed to leave my old life behind and start again. Determined to rebuild myself, I rejoined EDS with a renewed purpose. The journey wasn’t easy, but I was committed. Through the support and guidance of EDS, I completed my education and earned a diploma in engineering with an impressive CGPA of 3.7 out of 4—something I never thought possible during my darkest days.

Volunteering at EDS: A life of service: Since 2018, I have been volunteering full-time at EDS, dedicating 8 hours a day, 6 days a week to providing free education to over 300 children. Life hasn’t been easy—I don’t even have enough money to afford three meals a day. Yet, I continue because I know what it feels like to be hopeless. I could have taken a job to earn enough for a comfortable life, but empathy drives me to stay. My past fuels my passion to give back, and I want to ensure that no child ever feels as lost as I once did.

What I Do at EDS: At EDS, I am more than a teacher—I am a mentor, guide, and friend. I visit children’s homes to understand their struggles, motivate their parents to support education, and ensure the children stay focused on their studies. Youth gangs remain a major problem in our area, but I work tirelessly to steer children away from those paths. I help them dream bigger, believe in themselves, and focus on building a brighter future. In addition, I collaborate with other educators at EDS to improve teaching methods. We focus on product-based learning, outdoor education, and interdisciplinary approaches, using innovative resources like our roof garden and fish farm. These hands-on techniques make learning exciting, meaningful, and transformative.

Why I Do What I Do: My past is my greatest motivator. I understand the pain of feeling invisible, unloved, and forgotten. Every child I guide toward education and away from danger brings me closer to my dream: a community built on education, empathy, and love.
Transformation: A new beginning: Today, my life is unrecognizable from what it once was. People who once avoided me now respect me. The police, who used to harass me, now greet me warmly, asking, “How are you, Munna?” My parents, who once feared for my life, now sleep peacefully, proud of who I’ve become. They encourage me to continue my work at EDS, knowing the impact it has on the lives of so many children. Even those who once provoked me to return to my old ways now see that I’ve truly changed. I’ve learned to rise above negativity, focus on what truly matters, and help others do the same.

A Message of Hope: Dr. Hafiz’s unwavering love and patience transformed my life. No matter the time—even in the middle of the night—he was there to listen, guide, and support me. Through his love, I discovered my worth and found the strength to rise above my struggles. His compassion became the foundation of my transformation—from feeling lost to finding purpose. Love has the power to change lives. My journey is living proof that with love, guidance, and determination, anyone can overcome challenges and achieve their dreams. I dream of a world where every child experiences the power of love, feels valued, and dares to dream big. Together, we can build a future filled with hope, kindness, and endless possibilities for every child. I am also deeply grateful for the love and support I received from Trine, Alamin, Riaz, and others in EDS, who stood by me and contributed to my transformation. This is my story—a testament to the transformative power of love and the belief that compassion can inspire new beginnings and change lives.

Research passion: Collaborative action research & Educational living theory research. I believe that love can give children a better life.

Driving values and feelings:The values guiding my work are love, democracy, social justice, and freedom. I care deeply for my students, which is why I constantly seek ways to support their growth and my own.

What is a good relation?
Every Sunday we have a two-hour workshop where we explore the values driving our own and shared actions as leaders and educators in EDS. We share our stories (actions), reflect on our contradictions and find alternative ways which we test out through a cycle of planning, action and reflection.
In today's session, we explored the question: What does a good relationship mean to me?
Our youth discussed vividly in small groups and shared their reflections in plenary. They were brave, shared challenges they face in relations in EDS and acted out negative and positive behaviour through role plays. They found that trust, power and empathy greatly influence relations. They observed and named how they could see, hear and feel that a person was misusing power through the person’s face expressions, body language, tone of voice and words during the role play.
The reflection continued on “When do I contradict myself and unconsciously create a bad relation”, and “How can I act differently in those situations to create a good relation?”
The coming week is time for practicing their insights and share their new experiences in our next meeting.
Thanks to everyone for your active participation! This is really meaningful research 😊.

🌟 Exciting News for EDS! 🌟

The dedication and passion of the youths at EDS are getting the recognition they deserve! Professor Jack Whitehead (UK) and Marie Huxtable (UK, Lead Editor, Educational Journal of Living Theories) recently reached out to us after hearing about the incredible work our volunteers do. In a two-hour meeting with our youth team, they shared their amazement at how our youths take responsibility for their own learning and support others’ growth. They were deeply moved by the commitment shown by Alamin, Saima, Ibrahim, and others, who volunteer an average of 8 hours a day, six days a week, to provide free education for 300 children.

After the meeting, Saima expressed her excitement, saying, "I can’t believe world-known professor and editor contacted us to learn about our work in EDS. Their support inspires us and validates our efforts!" This recognition fuels our energy, showing that our work matters not only locally but globally. Now, with their guidance, we’re on a journey to create Living Posters that will connect us with researchers worldwide, sharing our story and inspiring others.

Thank you to everyone who supports EDS. Your encouragement empowers us to keep going and reinforces the values of empathy, dedication, and community we practice daily.

🌟 Inspiring Success Story! 🌟

I’m thrilled to share some amazing news that fills my heart with hope and excitement! Our former EDS student and dedicated volunteer, Belal Sobuj (Belal), has just been awarded a scholarship to learn Japanese technology in Japan! 🇯🇵✨

Belal’s journey has not been easy. He faced numerous challenges while pursuing his education, often doubting whether he would even complete grade 10. Yet, through it all, he held onto a transformative dream—a dream not just for himself, but one that aims to create a ripple effect of positive change in Bangladesh. Thanks to the support he received from EDS, he not only achieved his educational goals but is now using his knowledge to uplift others!

This is where living theory comes into play. Belal embodies the principles of living educational theory by integrating his experiences and insights into practical action. Today, we had an inspiring conversation where he shared how EDS shaped his understanding of his potential and purpose. He said, “I never thought I would reach this point, but EDS has made my dream come true. With hard work and support, anything is possible!” Now, he’s committed to guiding other EDS volunteers, helping them secure scholarships and training opportunities, and igniting the spark of motivation in youths who may feel discouraged about their studies or technical skills.

Belal’s story illustrates how transformative learning enables individuals to challenge their assumptions and reshape their futures. Let his journey be a beacon of hope for all of us! 💪 Remember, no matter the obstacles you face, with determination, support, and a clear vision, you can turn your dreams into reality. Let’s keep pushing forward, believing in ourselves, and inspiring one another!

Thank you, EDS, and a big shoutout to Japan for believing in our youth! Together, we can create a brighter future! 🌍❤️

Sumehra Hoq our new friend discussed her experience at her school in NY, USA with EDS mentors as an orinetation to her intended interaction with EDS children. Next time one of our EDS youth will present on child marriage in Bangladesh while Sumehra will also talk about what freedom she experienced in the US school through the co-curricular activities. I am sure this is the beginning of a new and long-lasting friendship. I am super proud of Saima, who is a top contributor to EDS women's group, for her understanding and capacity of relation-building across age and culture. Ibrahim and Alamin also have developed critical thinking that makes me think very positively about the future of EDS. These young people are apparently not moving mountains but they are surely generating citizen awareness about community welfare. I ❤️ EDS.

EDS একটি স্বেচ্ছাসেবী সংগঠন। EDS ৩০০ জন ছেমেয়েদের ফ্রি শিক্ষা দিয়ে থাকে। শিক্ষার পাশাপাশি EDS ছেলেমেয়েদের দায়িত্ব নেয়া শিখায়। এরই অংশ হিসাবে ছেলেমেয়েরা ছোট্ট পরিসরে কাপড়ের ব্যাবসা শুরু করেছে। উদ্দেশ্য হলো ছেলেমেয়েরা যেন দায়িত্ব নেয়া শেখে, একজন উদ্দ্যোগী হয়ে ওঠে এবং যারা উদ্যোগ নিয়েছে তারা যেন কিছু টাকা আয় করে, যেটা দিয়ে তাদের পড়া লেখার খরচ এবং সংসারের খরচ চালাতে পারে।
প্রতিটা প্রোডাক্ট ঢাকা থেকে আনা হয়েছে এবং খুব কম লাভ বিক্রি করা হচ্ছে। কেউ যেন প্রতারিত না হয় সেই জন্যে আমরা এক দামে জিনিস বিক্রি করি।
EDS এর ছেলেমেয়েদের উৎসাহ দিলেওরা অনুপ্রাণিত হবে।
আপনি চাইলে ওদের কাছ থেকে কিনতে পারেন।❤❤
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অনেকে অলস সময় পার করে- মোবাইল দেখে, গেম খেলে, শুয়ে থেকে, আড্ডা দিয়ে, খারাপ কাজ করে --বিভিন্নভাবে অনেকে সময় নষ্ট করে। অনেককে টাকা দিলেও কাজ ঠিকমত করেনা। কিন্তু EDS এ অনেক শিশু/যুবক/যুবতী/তরুণ/তরুণী-- সেচ্ছাসেবক হিসাবে ৩-৮ ঘন্টা/প্রতিদিন কাজ করে। এরা ছোটবেলা থেকে EDS এ আছে। এদের অনেকের ঘরে খাবার নেই, আর্থিক অবস্থা অনেক খারাপ তার পর ও এরা খারাপ কাজে সময় ব্যায় করেনা, নিজে ভালো কাজ করে, অন্যকে ও ভালো কাজে উৎসাহ দেয়, নিজে পড়ালেখা করছে এবং অন্যদের ফ্রি পড়াচ্ছে।
এদের মতো ভালো মানুষগুলি কি না খেয়ে থাকবে? না, যে ভালো কাজ করে আল্লাহ তার ভালো করে। খুশির সংবাদ হলো, এই সকল যুবকেরা নতুন একটা উদ্যোগ নিয়েছে যার নাম "EDS খেলাঘর", ওরা খেলাধুলার সামগ্রী বিক্রি করবে। আর এই বিক্রির টাকা দিয়ে নিজেদের পড়ালেখার খরচ চালাবে, নিজেদের পরিবারকে কিছু টাকা দেবে যাতে পরিবারের সকলে ভালো থাকে। আশা করি সকলে এই সকল ভাল মানুষগুলোর কাজ থেকে তাদের প্রয়োজনীয় জিনিস গুলি কিনবে।
EDS খেলাঘর এর উদ্দেশ্য:
১. কম দামে খেলার সামগ্রী ছেলেমেয়েদের কাছে বিক্রি করা যাতে তারা মোবাইল ---ছেড়ে, খেলাঘুলায় ব্যাস্ত থাকে।
২. কিছু টাকা আয় করা যা দিয়ে EDS এর স্বেচ্ছাসেবকরা তাদের নিজের পড়ালেখার খরচ চালাতে পারে এবং বাবা মাকে কিছু টাকা দিতে পারবে (কারণ যারা স্বেচ্ছাসেবকের কাজ করে EDS এ তাদের বাসায় খাবার থাকেনা প্রায়---)।

Dear friends! Did you know that out of Bangladesh's 170 million people, a whopping 48 million are youths aged 15-29 (Daily Star, 21.02.2024)? Unfortunately, many of them face tough times - some get involved in gangs or illegal activities, and many deal with cyber-stalking and bullying. That's where we come in at EDS! We're here for these youths 24 hours. We chat with them about their struggles, ask questions to help them think things through, and support them so they can make good decisions (do not join illegal activities or bad people can not able to motivate them to join illegal activities).

Our goal is to help these youths become outstanding members of society through youth empowerment. We give them love, care, and responsibilities (we make them busy), so they can feel confident and responsible. Let's join hands in creating a future where our youths bring about positive changes for Bangladesh. Thanks for your cooperation and being with Education for development and sustainability - EDS!
Please watch video and inspire our youths.

EDS farm school, 2024 Step into the transformative world of Education for Development and Sustainability (EDS), where the future of children and youths is being reshaped. At EDS, ...