By Mehrin Mubdi Chowdhury
Photos: Ashraf Uddin Apu
“The starting point of all achievement is desire” – Napolen Hill
Ideas are a dime a dozen – even the great ones. But it only matters when you can churn that idea into something substantial and make it flourish. Breaking conventions is always difficult, sometimes even considered a taboo, although true success lies when you can tough it out and come out victorious. This month we bring to you men who dared to do it differently and we bring to you their riveting tales of success. Read on as they discuss their achievements and passions.
Director of Pandora Associates, Deputy Chairperson of Jahan Education Group, Deputy Director of Bangladesh University, Quazi Taif Sadat is a man with many establishments under his belt. However, he is best known for meticulously setting up reputed and effective charitable trust organisations like the Smile Foundation and the People’s Rokeya Foundation.
How did it all begin?
I was always involved with charity organisations; donating a portion of my income regularly. However in 2011, a major incident turned my life upside down. My mother was diagnosed with cancer and things simply went haywire. To harness back the lost happiness and discover the true meaning of existence I thought of dedicating a major part of my life to charity and hence Smile Foundation was conceived.
Smile Foundation has made a big name within such a short time, what would you say is the major driving force behind this achievement?
The major driving force behind Smile Foundation is the work of young students volunteering everyday. They work diligently and believe that their united effort can help create a positive outcome. These volunteers don’t seek any monetary benefit. They are solely driven by the will to see a better society.
How does Smile run? Is it true that the organisation has not yet received any grant or external funding?
Smile has not asked for or taken any monetary donations from anyone as of yet; all the projects are financed by my businesses. Up until now, we only took donations in the form of books, clothes and food. I also want to add that, not taking financial donations from anyone has had a tremendous effect on our volunteers. They believe in Smile’s initiatives and have faith in the organisation’s motives.
How actively involved are the volunteers in the operations?
They are the major driving force behind Smile. We have a Smile student wing in almost all public and private universities of Bangladesh. Whenever there is a disaster or a calamity in any part of the country, our team reaches that area as soon as possible. Even the remotest part of the country is not out of our reach and the team can be at the spot within twenty four hours, at max.
What are your future plans with Smile Foundation?
I want to increase our volunteer base and work further towards improving the society. Currently we have more than seven hundred kids in remote areas of Bangladesh availing our education programs. I am inspired by BRAC, which has over twenty thousand schools all over Bangladesh. Although Smile has a long way to go, we hope to reach that dream number very soon.
In case of disaster management, we have successfully dealt with the Rana Plaza mishap by setting up a rehabilitation centre for the victims. In disaster management and support, our ideal is Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed in Savar and someday Smile hopes to be able to provide a massive scale of support.
Besides Smile, what other projects are you currently working on?
I am the co-founder of People’s Rokeya Foundation. Fifty three orphans are currently residing in our shelter house for females. We provide them with training and also plan to increase the number of students in the shelter.
Your journey with Smile is very inspirational for the younger generation. What message do you have for them?
Most young people nowadays are extremely mature, displaying the right amount of eagerness to work towards social welfare. I would like to say that wanting to contribute is great but one must be self sufficient before one can donate. Try not to depend on others financially. Each one of you must personally try to reach a level where you have enough to help others. Self sufficiency is the best policy.