It was a day filled with fun, frolic and bittersweet memories for the students of Residential Semester (RS), BRAC University (BRACU) and nineteen girls who came to visit RS as special guests. On November 25, 2016, the students of Community Service Activity of RS, Fall ‘16 organized an event at BRACU’s Savar campus in order to celebrate the closing of the activity “Sharing Happiness.” It was a commendable endeavour which started with Tk 5,000 donated by ten students while Ms. Nipa Nasreen, a faculty member of BRAC Institute of Languages, BRACU guided them with constant logistical support provided by the university.
The students, with an objective of “Sharing Happiness”, had visited the girls at Anjuman Azijul Girl’s Home in Pathalia, Savar on seven Fridays since September 23, 2016. The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association identified and brought the girls together; it provides monetary assistance to Bangladeshi welfare organization Anjuman Mufidul Islam to take care of these children and educate them who lost either one or both parents in the tragic Rana Plaza collapse.
Each Friday, they spent two hours with the group of nineteen children aiming to make different learning-activities such as reading, painting, singing and reciting poems more interesting and enjoyable. They also provided lessons on mathematics and English through various games that promote critical thinking. This enterprise also helped the young minds to enhance their level of confidence as they were given scopes to exercise their latent talents and learn and practice various creative skills which they will be able to use to better their lives.
RS, compulsory for all BRACU students, is a requirement for the fulfillment of their degree. It aims at improving students’ communication skills, leadership skills, patriotism and global competitiveness. RS also strives to provide this opportunity to the students of BRACU and aims at shaping the students into responsible human beings.
In her speech on this occasion, Lady Syeda Sarwat Abed, Director, BRAC Institute of Languages, BRACU, emphasized on the importance of developing a sense of empathy, belongingness and social responsibility among the students. She, further, stated that this will make our students more liable towards the community and create social awareness about the need to contribute to the world today. Lady Abed expressed satisfaction on the fact that the activity helped to ensure quality time bringing joy and happiness among the nineteen girls, aged between five and fourteen years, by lessening any lingering emptiness and providing a breather from the harsh reality they are facing at such a tender age.
In the event, there was a part in which the group of children demonstrated what they learnt and practiced. They performed dances and songs, and recited poems reflecting their innocence and enthusiasm that earned huge appreciation from the audience.