The International School Dhaka (ISD) has teamed up with the Bashundhara Special Children Foundation (BSCF) for the 2024-2025 academic year in a heartwarming initiative aimed at supporting children with physical and mental disabilities.
The collaboration is part of ISD’s ‘Diamonds in the Rough’ service project, which aims to enhance the lives of differently-abled children through engaging and interactive activities designed to improve their motor skills and encourage social interaction.
Bashundhara Group, a key partner in this effort, is providing crucial support to the initiative, underscoring their commitment to social responsibility. The foundation has been instrumental in organising weekly “Service Saturdays,” where students from ISD’s Grades 6-12 engage with children from BSCF.
These service sessions feature a range of activities, from obstacle courses and Pictionary to free dancing, all designed to be both fun and educational.
Afroza Sobhan, one of the leaders of the ‘Diamonds in the Rough’ team, expressed her enthusiasm for the project, saying, “It is a pleasure working with the children and helping underprivileged communities.”
Along with Masuma Mohiuddin and Niyarah Mahbub, Afroza Sobhan helps plan activities that are not only enjoyable but also aimed at improving fine and gross motor skills.
Shezaad Sobhan is also an integral part of the team. The students and children work together in a variety of activities that encourage teamwork, focus, and communication.
Major Md Mohsinul Karim (Retd), who oversees the Bashundhara Special Children Foundation, emphasised the long-term vision of the partnership, saying, “This is a project we plan on passing down from generation to generation.”
The foundation’s involvement ensures that the service group’s impact on the children’s lives is both sustainable and meaningful, with future generations of students continuing to benefit from this invaluable partnership.
One of the most beloved activities is free dancing, which has become a tradition at the end of each Service Saturday. This lively session brings together children from BSCF and ISD students in a shared celebration of joy and inclusion. The group’s success is not only measured by the skills the children develop but also by the lasting bonds formed between the students and the children they serve.
The ‘Diamonds in the Rough’ project exemplifies the power of collaboration, demonstrating how community-driven efforts can create opportunities for growth and development for children with special needs. Looking ahead, the initiative will continue to expand, bringing new opportunities for learning and engagement to both the special needs children and the ISD students involved.
Article Credit: daily-sun