Address: Shushilan, House # 155, KDA Jalil Sharoni, Commercial cum Residential Area, Rayermohol, Boyra, Khulna 9000, Bangladesh.

A Day of Learning, Collaboration, and Inspiration (Shushilan’s Chief Executive and Senior Officials Visits SBC Sylhet Project Activities to Observe Community Initiatives.)

Posted on: March 3, 2025, 3:07 pm



On 23 February 2025, Shushilan’s Chief Executive, Upokul Bondhu Mostafa Nuruzzaman, led a high-level delegation, including Sherina Akther, Deputy Director, and GM Moniruzzaman, Deputy Director – Program, to visit the SBC Sylhet project area. The visit aimed to observe community-based initiatives promoting behavioral change and assess the project's impact on child protection, child marriage prevention, awareness of national hotline numbers, nutrition, hygiene, and violence against children (VAC). The team visited Hazi Mohammad Shafiq High School and Doldoli Tea Garden, where Interactive Popular Theater (IPT) performances and Community Dialogues addressed key SBC issues. Children, school authorities, community leaders, and project stakeholders actively participated. At Hazi Mohammad Shafiq High School, students and the head teacher welcomed the team with flowers. Then, Mr. Md. Alamgir Mia, Project Coordinator, greeted the guests, introduced the SBC Sylhet Project, and urged the Chief Executive to expand initiatives in Sylhet. Head Teacher Sheikh Shafiqul Islam appreciated Shushilan’s efforts in promoting 23 key behaviors and improving students' awareness of nutrition, child marriage, health, and hygiene. A student, Ms. Saifa Alam Tanha, shared her experience of identifying a malnourished child and guiding the family to seek medical help. Mr. Mostafa Nuruzzaman (Upokul Bondhu) expressed his gratitude to the audience and emphasized that education should go beyond textbooks and classrooms, he encouraging students to adopt positive behaviors. One student requested him to recite a poem. In response, he captivated the audience with a heartfelt recitation of Rabindranath Tagore’s Two Bigha Jomi, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. At Doldoli Tea Garden, the team was welcomed with flowers and a traditional Dhamail song. The Chief Executive then engaged in discussions on community challenges. Panel Chairman Abul Kashem Chowdhury Khaled highlighted the struggles of the tea garden community and requested Shushilan’s continued support. Peer leader Reshma Begum shared her role in preventing child marriage and invited the Chief Executive to visit again. Mr. Nuruzzaman acknowledged the community’s hospitality and commitment to change. A community member shared their ancestral heritage from Orissa, India. The Chief Executive reiterated Shushilan’s dedication to supporting Sylhet, particularly tea garden communities, subject to funding availability. During the visit, Mr. Nuruzzaman also met with Ms. Kazi Dil Afroza Islam, Head of the UNICEF Sylhet Field Office. They discussed ongoing activities, collaboration opportunities, and future priorities. Additionally, he visited the SBC Sylhet office, where he reviewed project progress, achievements, and challenges with the SBC team. He provided important guidance to strengthen the team’s efforts in achieving project goals. The visit reinforced Shushilan’s commitment to fostering social and behavioral change through interactive community engagement. Insights gathered from the discussions will inform future program planning, with a particular focus on expanding interventions in underserved areas, including Sylhet’s tea garden communities. Shushilan remains dedicated to empowering communities through education, advocacy, and participatory approaches, ensuring sustainable and long-term development outcomes.