Afrin Appy
In one scorching summer afternoon of 2010, eighteen-year-old Ahmed Imtiaz Jami was returning home from college when he saw a child selling newspapers to passersby in the streets. The sight saddened him so much that he immediately wanted to do something for the hapless children who are underprivileged and have nowhere to go.
In September that year, Imtiaz formed Obhijatrik Foundation, a government registered voluntary organisation that will work with street children. Obhijatrik began its journey with 20 street children and soon expanded its operations to food assistance, health services and burial for the dead.
He is one of the nine youths from Bangladesh who have been featured in the prestigious Forbes 30 under 30 recently.
From his early days, he has been a thinker and the miseries and grief of the people always touched him.
Imtiaz was brought up in Dhaka and has his roots in Barisal. He completed his schooling at Monipur High School and went to Saint Joseph College in the capital. He then completed his graduation from Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology in Computer Science.
Although his dreams circled around Obhijatrik, he also shared a hand in his father’s business.
Over 3,500 volunteers are currently working with Obhijatrik in eradicating poverty and extending education, health services to a million people across the country.
Obhijatrik Founadation has established schools for underprivileged children in the capitals Mirpur and Rayerbazar areas and another one in Patuakahli where there are 600 students currently studying.
Abhijatrik also undertook a project named ‘Sokkhom Prokolpo’ to give employment opportunities to 550 families.
During the pandemic, Abhijatrik has been busy, it has been providing ambulance services, oxygen to Covid patients. It has also been burying those dying from Covid-19.
The organisation is distributing iftar or evening meal to 2000 people daily during Ramadan.
Obhijatrik has also been providing food aid to the Covid-hit working-class people across the country who have lost their jobs and are currently unemployed.
Obhijatrik sent a bag full of food items to their students when schools were shut due to lockdown.
Besides, the volunteers have been tasked with disinfecting shops, mosques, garment factories and ATM booth during the pandemic.
It does have a splendid program in the capital’s Mirpur which is known as Bina Poishar Bazar’ where lower income group can pick food items they need for free.
The organisation is run by donations along with Imtiaz’s personal financing.
When asked why Imtiaz chose a career path of serving the people when people of his age were competing for jobs, he told The Business Post that the smile on the faces of hapless people has been his inspiration in this regard. It makes him feel great to be able to do something for the poor, he said.
“It is great to have been recognised by Forbes,” Imtiaz added.
At present, the organisation is operating in seven districts and Imtiaz has his eyes on expanding it to all the 64 districts.
