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Greetings, dear friends!
Last week, you read about Irfan, a bright young man whose life was changed by your generosity. He was able to move out of the camps and is now earning a comfortable living due to the education he received with the support of OBAT's scholarship program. You also met Razia, whose academic future is in jeopardy due to her family's restricted resources. I hope that her story inspired you to impact the future of several Razias who are keen to study but are hampered by their circumstances.
OBAT's, "Light up a future" campaign continues through December. We all know that a scholarship can be the difference between making or breaking a future. Rupa's future as you will read below, is at a cross roads and she needs your support for it to go in the right direction.
We are also sharing with you Saima's story who got the support she needed and is on her way to a secure future.
Sending you warm wishes,
Anwar Khan.
President, OBAT Helpers.
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Rupa, with her grandparents
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Meet Rupa-you can change her life!
Rupa Akhter lives with her grand parents in Sardar Bahadur Nagar camp. She is a first year student of the diploma program of Electric Engineering at the Chittagong Polytechnic Institute. Her father passed away when she was in grade 1. After his death, Rupa's mother, Mehjabin, due to her extreme grief, became afflicted with a mental illness. Two years after the unfortunate incident, she went missing and has not been found to this day. Rupa's grandparents took in Rupa and three of her other sisters. Her grand father is old and feeble and does not have a source of income. At times, the family has to go without food. In the face of such adversities though, the sisters have not given up studying.
Rupa enrolled herself in the NGO, UCEP (underprivileged children education program) and passed her middle school or J.S.C exam from there. Later, she passed her high school exam or S.S.C exam from Bangladesh Technical Education Board with a GPA of 5. She then enrolled herself in her current diploma course. Rupa has completed her first semester of the diploma course. Her present circumstances are making it very difficult for her to proceed with her education as the expenses for her education present a major hindrance. The diploma course is an eight semester program with each semester costing Taka 5,000 or $65- the cost of the entire program thus is, $512. While this amount may seem insignificant for some of us, for Rupa's grandparents and other camp families, it is an enormous number.
With help from people like you, Rupa and other deserving students can complete their education and contribute to their families' income.
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Meet Saima- you have altered the course of her future!
Twenty year old Saima lives in Geneva camp, Dhaka. Her family including her siblings, consists of seven members. After passing the S.S.C (secondary school certificate) exam, her elder brother had to drop out from his studies due to financial constraints. He started working to contribute towards the family's income.
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Saima, with her family
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Saima's younger brother studies in grade nine with the support of OBAT Helpers and is a very bright student. Her two younger sisters are in elementary school.
In spite of the financial obstacles, Saima was always keen to do voluntary work for her community. She started volunteering for OBAT Helpers as well. The staff members of OBAT were very pleased with her contribution and decided to give her a scholarship for continuing her studies from 11th grade. Saima did well and later received admission in Al-Hera College. At present, she is completing her B.B.A degree from Northern University of Bangladesh. OBAT Helpers is still providing the scholarship for her higher education. Beside studying, Saima recently got a job in one of the leading international humanitarian organizations, Islamic Relief, and is working there as a Field Officer. Saima's future is now full of hope- she was able to find a job due to her education and it will ensure the financial security of her family's future. Thank you for having lit up Saima's future!
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1100 W. 42nd. St., Ste. 125 A, Indianapolis, IN 46208
317.203.0603
contact@obathelpers.org
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 "Instruction ends in the school-room, but education ends only with life."
- Frederick W. Robertson |
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