Volunteers Association for Bangladesh Canada (VABC) www.vabcanada.org

Volunteers Associationfor

Bangladesh (VAB)

An organization that promotes Educationin rural Bangladeshwww.vabonline.org

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1JmEPSvQUU

VAB Founder and President Dr. ATR Rahman

VAB Dignitaries

Launched a new chapter 9th May 2012: with a vision of Secondary Education in Bangladesh

Snapshots: Inception of VAB Canada

May 9, 2012

VAB Canada founder- PresidentMs. Pamelia Khaled

VAB Canada officials

Our distinguished guests

Bangladeshis, Canadians and AmericansBangladesh and Canadian educationistsmore than 200 audience members

The Honorable Minister Glen Murray (Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities)

VAB USA: General Secretary Dr. Mahfuz Chowdhury

Objectives of VAB & VAB Canada

To support primary and secondary education especially for the poor

To support local community efforts in improving educational and training facilities (e.g. instruction, library, laboratory) in the poor areas

To support vocational and skilled training and associated activities for helping the unemployed secure and maintain stable employment

Education Issues in Bangladesh

Low-quality education High drop out rate both at primary and

secondary levels Poor infrastructure, overcrowding, lack

of facilities and low-quality teachers Urban-rural divide in resources and

knowledge

VAB Canada supports all VAB projectsStudents Empowerment

programTeacher Empowerment

programSchool Empowerment programCommunity Linkage program

VAB Canada short term activities

a. Networking

Networking is the key step to develop connections with other organizations (it could be an

organization similar to VABC, large corporations, etc.), develop personal connections with those

involved in similar activities or have the capabilities to bring more potential donors or by

himself could be interested in VAB Canada.

VAB Canada short term activities b. Out Reach VABC - through local communities

This is with direct contact with communities and our plan is to arrange different activities for

local communities in order to support community development:

I. Health awareness: Healthy Living, Balanced Nutrition, Heart Care, Diabetes, etc.

II. Education sector: art and craft, language skills, Reading Circle (children and adults),

garner school boards support for volunteers from high schools, initiate student/youth

exchange programs (schools and universities), etc.

III. Professional development, Job shop (requesting other Job shopper/seller, even from

ourselves and through personal connection), resume writing, etc.

VAB Canada short term activities

c. Fund raising

The following are proposed strategies for Fund Raising:

i. Personal donations & donations collected through personal connections

ii. Link with large organizations to generate regular and on-going donations

iii. Annually/bi-annually Gala dinner, arranging movie premiers, musical and dance

performances, etc.

iv. Participate in community fair, gathering and sell VABC /VAB products, Zakat fund,

etc.

v. Explore and connect with the Canadian Government and/or other international

organizations who allocate funds for the Education Sector.

Long term goal of VAB Canada2014 Propose for VAB Canada university: Supporting

VAB Graduates

our target of 10% of the youth population gain university qualification, we

must ensure that they are also trained to be skillful entrepreneurs who generate

employment instead of seeking employment from existing industries.

Proposal for launching a magazine for teachers’ professional development in Bangladesh

These would ensure long term goal generation wing for VABC.

VAB strives to: improve lives of rural children through education award scholarships provide tutoring equip classrooms train teachers

Results: improved test scores, lower dropout rates, and

ultimately a better standard of living

VAB’s Vision for the next Five years

Self- sustained improvement capability of schools

Quadruple the number of schools in clusters of Five

Ready access to ICT in education Increased opportunity for Mathematics,

Science, ICT and Language Education Extensive collaboration with related

organizations

VAB &VABC Strategy• Provide input in education to enhance learning

opportunities.• Create inspirational, dynamic and productive

environment.• Select cluster schools in specified localities to

create an enlightened environment in a community.

• Work out a Five-Year perspective Plan with the schools with definite goals and outcomes.

• Partner schools in funding for projects to ensure ownership, accountability and transparency.

• Work with an exit strategy so as to ensure continual improvement at the end of five years of work with the schools.

VABC success stories (Sept 2012 – Nov 2013)

received 12 Computer projects and established 6 computer laboratory schools in rural high schools.

donated winter clothes/ blankets among the poor

donated Zakat money for the disadvantaged children in Bangladesh

donated money during the Savar Rana Plaza garments Tragedy

donated money for teacher development program

collaborated with Youth Sarcoma Initiative (YSI) Charity Dinner for Sick Kids Hospital, Nov 10, 2013

collaborated with North York Rotary club,2014

The latest VAB- 2014

Extraordinary Performances by VAB Schools and VAB Students in 2013 SSC Exam

VAB assisted 57 rural high schools this year have scored a 90.04% pass rate in the SSC Examination. 

Out of 268 VAB scholarship recipients, 255 representing 95% passed the Exam with 85% receiving Grade “A-”or higher

VAB received a generous grant from Dutch-Bangla Bank (DBBL) Foundation on 20 March 2013

VAB accomplishments to date

Schools supported: 75

Scholarship: About 7000 School students

Additionally some 900 college scholarship

Tutoring: About 15,000 students

Additionally about 1200 children in 18 Pre-Schools

Teachers Training in Science, English, Math and Computer: about 700 teachers

Lab, Math Olympiad, computer and library support: about 30 schools

VAB & VABC Best Practices: Transparency and Accountability

Disburse funds only upon performance reviewed by responsible members

Publish annual report, newsletters, and internet reports

Submit audited financial reports to NGO Affairs Bureau under Prime Minister’s Office, Bangladesh, and U.S. IRS State Government of New York.

VABC completed final audit by the third party VABC hand over entire money generated in

the 2012-13 financial year

Our Appeal…

WE NEED YOURpresence at all our activitiescontribution financial and in kindideas for success and progresscommitment for the education programs and other projectssupport to move forward with more pride and confidence

How Can You Help?

Sponsor a project (science, vocational or computer lab or library)

Sponsor 30 high school scholarships in one year

Sponsor 10 college scholarships Sponsor 5 university scholarships Sponsor 1 Pre-School

Our Children Need Better Education

VAB Canada: We Can Do It Collectively

www.vabonline.org www.vabcanda.org

Thank you!!!