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This book has been commissioned by UNDP Bangladesh and produced by HerStory Foundation.

The stories in this book were collected through a nationwide open call for nominations in June 2020. The stories
were selected based on merit, impact and the power to celebrate acts of kindness big and small that tackle the effects of COVID. The
COVID heroes are represented as tigers to symbolize the heroism innate in all.

We have researched and verified the validity and integrity of the characters and their work, however we cannot take
responsibility for what they do in the future and hope our readers will take away the positive message of this book. We
wish our Tigers all the best in their journeys and hope that our readers will follow in their pawprints.

Curator || Katerina Don


Illustrator || Sayeef Mahmud
Book Design || Kazi Istela Imam | Humayra Jahan

UNDP TEAM
Concept | Md Abdul Quayyum
Support | Rifaat Newaz
Management Support | Kazi Md Zilla Haider

Editoral Team | Anita Amreen | Katerina Don | Tayran Razzaq | Zareen Mahmud Hosein | Humayra Rahman
Research Assistant | Jasmine Khandaker

Copyright | UNDP Bangladesh


First Published | Ocotober 2020
Publisher | HerStory Publications Limited

Special Thanks | The Daily Star | Prothom Alo | Mathews Chiran | Jasmine Khandaker | Sharma Luna |

www.bd.undp.org
This book is not for sale.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced without
permission from UNDP Bangladesh
When we look back on 2020 we will remember the many tragic
effects of COVID-19. But above all else, we must recall the
regular people who rose to the occasion to provide support and
aid through acts of kindness big and small.

This book is dedicated to that tiger spirit which motivates the


front-liners, volunteers, service providers, and mobilizers who
continue to roar in the face of danger.

1
1. TIGERS FEED
9

TAHNIAT BUSHRA WAHEEDI | TANBIR HASSAN SHAIKAT | NADIA SARKER | MOSHIUR SHAFI

2. TIGERS SHARE
13

JUNEYNA FRANCES KABIR & MAHIA RAHMAN | AHMED IMTIAZ JAMI

3. TIGERS SUPPORT 17

TAWHIDA SHIROPA | KISHOR KUMAR DAS | SALAH UDDIN HERO | RAKIBUL HAQ EMIL |
THE PEOPLE THAT STAYED HOME

4. TIGERS RELIEVE 21

BUSHRA HUMYRA ESHA | ASHFAQUE KABIR | MOHAMMAD TIPU SULTAN

5. TIGERS SPREAD 25

MD ZUNAID | WARDA ASHRAF | SHADMAN SAKIB ANIK

6. TIGERS CARE 29

PAVEL SARWAR | SRABANTI A HUDA & SHARNILA NUZHAT KABIR | MOHAMMAD MOHASIN | TRISHIA NASTARAN

7. TIGERS CURE 33

HO CHI MINH ISLAM | ALI YUSUF | MD. JAKIR HOSSEN | QUAZI TAIF SADAT | ARAF AHMED & TAHMID HASIB KHAN

8. TIGERS TEACH 37

SAMIM ASHRAF | WAHIDUL ISLAM | MONIRUZZAMAN MONIR


On New Year’s day of 2020 people woke up to a
normal day. They rode the bus, stood in line at the
shop, visited friends and family. The next day, kids
sat together in class and played tag during recess.
Traffic was busy like usual, markets were bustling
and streets were swarming with crowds.

All this would soon come to a sudden stop.

5
5
By March, cities and villages across Bangladesh looked
deserted. Millions of people were forced into isolation.
Schools and offices shut down. Traffic disappeared.

A new and highly contagious virus called COVID-19


affected not just people’s physical health but every
aspect of life, from social to personal to professional.

But then, out of everywhere, the Tigers began to rise.

7
1
TIGERS
When life as we knew it came to a
halt, so did the economy. Thousands
of people lost their jobs. Daily wage-
earners, such as construction
workers, rickshaw pullers and street-
side hawkers, could no longer earn
enough money to survive.

These hardworking people could


not support their families to buy the
basics of rice and daal, let alone the
soap needed to kill the virus. People
started to say that if COVID-19 did
not kill you, the hunger would.

But all across the country, the Tigers


began to share their money and
food, organizing drives to feed those
who were suffering the most.

9
‘I worry about the people
who are at risk in the line
of duty and marginalized
communities. When I started
working with these people,
more than receiving the food
I think what they appreciated
most is me saying “Thank
TAHNIAT BUSHRA WAHEEDI, 23 You” to them for their
Staying safe at home during the contributions to society. We
pandemic was not an option for need to make these people feel
everyone. In a country where a
valued for their hard work and
proportionally large number of people Moshiur and his team started off in North
sustains on daily wages, for many resilience.’
Bengal where they distributed food to over
staying at home meant going hungry. 500 people. Every day during the month of
Bushra focused her efforts on raising Ramadan, they distributed iftar to over
funds for hardest-hit families who would 600 families who had lost their livelihoods.
have to risk their lives to earn a living. She
started by setting up a Facebook group Cyclone Amphan created an atmosphere
to bring awareness to their plight and of terror and distress in the coastal regions
raise money. Over the course of several of Bangladesh when the country was
weeks, Bushra was able to raise over Tk already in a state of panic. The team was
14 lakh. She used the money to purchase quick to respond with aid in the affected
food, soap, masks, medicine, and other areas. They ventured into a very remote
supplies, which were then distributed area in the Sundarbans to supply monthly
among 3,400 families. rations of food and necessities to the local
communities.
‘It’s very important to be
hopeful in this dire time. This is Apart from food and financial aid, Moshiur
a chance for us to show up for distributed sanitary napkins to over 150
our fellow human beings and women in Jhalakathi district. In Bogura,
positively impact society. Hope they bought potato chips for some
and resilience keep me going 3,500 children. With their Eid salami, the
forward.’ volunteers committed to help at least one
MOSHIUR SHAFI, 18 family in their own neighborhood. They
NADIA SARKER, 35
Moshiur and his group of friends are came to the aid of our furry friends as well
Nadia took it upon herself to feed
investors - but not the ordinary kind. and fed hundreds of street animals.
over 200 people every day during the
height of the COVID-19 pandemic. This They invest in smiles. All sorts of smiles
- smiles of joy, smiles of relief, and smiles ‘I want to work tirelessly until
lone warrior fared out every day with
of gratitude. When the pandemic hit, my local area is free of COVID-19.
a mission to feed rickshaw-pullers,
CNG drivers, and anyone struggling to the young volunteers did not hesitate to I want to do something for my
survive, in and around Dhaka. Nadia also alleviate people’s hardships. society when it needs me the
fed people in need back in her home most.’
With hearts full of hope and pocketfuls
village of Dinajpur. Nadia has managed
of Eid salami , savings and donations
to feed over 500,000 people so far, and
amounting to Tk 200,000, they set
justly received at least five nominations
out to help out.
to be featured in this publication.
‘Hope is seeing the light in He used his Facebook page and his
the darkness. The year 2020 contacts to raise funds, and with the
help of local officials, he was able to
is a very difficult year for
reach hundreds of people in his area. He
the world and especially for installed a tube-well in Khulna’s Amphan
developing countries. So we affected area and distributed relief
have to look after ourselves, packs before Eid to families. He also
distributed food to the most neglected
and we have to cooperate groups -- widows, people with disabilities,
with government initiatives. and Rohingya refugees. Mamun provided
Good will and hope can give medical assistance to 60 people, helped
19 with their educational expenses,
us the power to overcome this
assisted in funding the construction of 41
difficult situation together.’ houses, and distributed relief among 1,833
flood-affected families. He also provided
TANBIR HASSAN SHAIKAT, 27 21 wheelchairs, helped in finding nine
Thousands of people migrate to Dhaka, missing persons, and bought two
the bustling capital of Bangladesh, every sewing machines for two women in
week from the villages. From ambitious need.
students to hardworking day laborers, this
city is populated by people who survive Everyone’s needs are different and
and thrive in search of a better life. The Mamun was able to address them and
pandemic cut many of these city dwellers help in personalized ways.
off from their sources of income. Students
who could only afford to live on-campus
‘I am supplying food, masks,
on a small income from tutoring, were
soap, and information to
evicted from their dorms and unable to
people who lost their jobs to
teach. Middle-class families who survived
on meager salaries and laborers who
COVID-19 - particularly in
MD MAMUN BISWAS, 32 remote areas. To do this I travel
survived day to day also had their means
of income taken away.
In 2014 Mamun suffered the loss of his by buses, bikes, boats and
only child. His newborn son had died vans. I am optimistic people are
just 36-hours after birth. Mamun had all slowly becoming more aware
Tanbir understood the plight of these
the resources at hand, but there was no and are trying to move ahead
vulnerable groups and set up an
treatment to save his child’s life. That’s while maintaining necessary
immediate charity system through which
when he truly realized the difficulty precautions.’
he collected donations to provide food and
and tragedy faced by those who don’t
supplies to them. He arranged for food to
have access to healthcare or the right
be distributed to some 2,000 people twice
resources. For them illness and injury are
a day from TSC in Dhaka University, with
always a matter of life and death.
full maintenance of safety guidelines. He
helped 150 students who have no source of
From then onwards he pledged to help
income due to the pandemic. His mission
those in need, in whichever way he could.
to help the vulnerable extended to middle-
Everyday Mamun makes it his mission to
class families as well, at least 200 of whom
lend a helping hand, whether it be to a
were assisted with groceries.
homeless child or a bird with a broken
wing. When the COVID-19 restrictions
His mission to help the vulnerable and
came into effect, Mamun distributed
voiceless will continue as long as he keeps
masks, disinfectants, and informative
receiving donations from the privileged
leaflets alongside food to 3,200 families 11
section of the society.
in Sirajganj and Khulna.
2
TIGERS
COVID-19 affected everyone.

But the poor were hit the hardest.


With little savings, low access
to funds and no way to pay
the growing bills for education,
housing, electricity and food, many
people were sinking deeper and
deeper into debt.

As a response the Tigers went


on- and off- line to raise money
for those most in need of financial
support. In times of crisis, everyone
can be a hero and people of all
ages and backgrounds stepped
up to collect, donate and
distribute funds to communities all
across the nation.

13
Within a short span of time, he became ‘RCNB will keep
a core team member, and together
they conducted many drives together. collaborating with diverse,
youth-led initiatives to
Bangladesh is a country with a diverse help the socioeconomically
population and too often the most
disadvantaged communities
marginalized among them are the
indigenous communities. RCNB provided of Bangladesh. The leaders
food relief to the Santal community behind simple yet impactful
and the Bede, a nomadic river-based ideas coming together with
community.
vigilant volunteers and
RCNB works to help the people who live communities is our biggest
outside traditional aid networks such strength. This is what
as waste collectors and sex workers.
makes us optimistic about
The volunteers provided hygiene kits
consisting of personal protective overcoming any calamity as
equipment (PPE), gloves, sanitizers a nation.’
and bleaching powder to the waste
collectors and food relief to the sex
workers and their children. Monthly food
rations were given to garments factory
workers. Sanitary napkins were sent to
female madrasa students.
JUNEYNA FRANCES KABIR, 26
& MAHIA RAHMAN, 25
The platform also organized countless
Juneyna and Mahia set up a not-
food drives in and around Dhaka and
for-profit resource sharing platform
the areas in the Southern region
called Resource Coordination Network
of Bangladesh where families are
Bangladesh (RCNB) on Facebook. The
struggling in the aftermath of the
network pools together resources and
cyclone Amphan.
funds to support small organizations
that help people combat the COVID-19
crisis in ways big and small.

RCNB is responsible for connecting


donors to organizations and
independent groups. They also
provide funding, link bulk suppliers and
distributors and provide information
and advice. In addition, the two friends
organized their own drives to distribute
food and protective equipment for
medical staff and garbage workers.
Using their networks, Juneyna and Mahia
raised 300,000 taka. About three weeks
into their activities, they connected with
an Bangladeshi-American who had
raised $16,000 (approximately Tk 13 lakh)
through Facebook and was looking for a
proper channel to use the funds.
‘I believe hope is
stronger than fear. But
we must be careful. If we
face challenges tactfully,
there is nothing we
can’t overcome.’

AHMED IMTIAZ JAMI, 27


Ahmed Imtiaz Jami heads the
Obhizatrik Foundation. Thousands of
young volunteers of the foundation work
tirelessly throughout the year to bring
about positive social change. Since the
beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the
foundation raised around 1.2 crore taka
in funds which were used to support
65,000 families across Bangladesh.
The foundation provided monthly
food assistance to families in Dhaka,
Rangpur, Khagrachhari, Kushtia, Sylhet,
Chittagong, Lakshmipur, Patuakhali,
Galachipa and several other Upazilas
to alleviate the economic strains of the
crisis. The volunteers worked day and
night to distribute iftar during Ramadan
and medical supplies in hospitals.

The foundation’s project ‘Bina Poyshar


Bazar’, a makeshift marketplace which
provided staple food for free, served
200,000 people. Through their various
activities, Obhizatrik Foundation touched
over 600,000 lives and is continuing their 15
noble efforts.
3
TIGERS
There were many invisible side-
effects to the COVID-19 outbreak.

People of all walks of life felt


depressed and frustrated about
having to stay indoors. Service
providers like medical workers
and security forces had to deal
with fear and uncertainty.

Tigers made time to listen and


offer help without discrimination;
serving all, including the animals
of the cities, who were left to
wander the deserted streets,
with no cafe or restaurants open
to scavenge leftovers from.

17
17
KISHOR KUMAR DAS, 35
As the founder of ‘Bidyanondo ‘We took a comprehensive
Foundation’, Kishor has always worked
approach to providing
with the most vulnerable communities
in Bangladesh - building schools, support - we made sure
orphanages, infirmaries, hostels and everyday needs are met and
providing legal aid or food support
around the year. He works twice as at the same time built up our
hard during humanitarian emergencies. fellow citizens for the future,
During the COVID-19 pandemic,
Bidyanondo undertook one of the most
helping them become self-
extensive and thorough community reliant.’
support initiatives. They distributed
approximately 20,000 cooked meals
across Bangladesh, sprayed disinfectant
TAWHIDA SHIROPA, 33 in public spaces and transport vehicles,
As more and more people were forced made and distributed masks, PPE and
to stay home, struggling to maintain sanitizer and also provided relief packs
their mental health, Shiropa noticed to 350,000 families with support from
that while there was a lot of talk about the government.
physical health, not much was being
done to take care of the detrimental Their most noteworthy initiative is CMP-
impact of COVID-19 on people’s Bidyanodo Field Hospital in Patenga,
psychological well-being. Chattogram, a 100-bed hospital built to
provide proper treatment to those living
Back in 2016 Shiropa started ‘Moner below the poverty line. The hospital is
Bondhu’, a mental healthcare and administered by 12 doctors, 18 nurses,
well-being platform. She knew the and 50 volunteers. During the pandemic,
importance of mental health and after their projects have supported children,
the pandemic took hold, she understood families with no income, the third gender
that it would shake many people to the community, refugees, sex workers,
core. Shiropa took it upon herself to offer widows, and those hit by cyclone RAKIBUL HAQ EMIL, 32
assistance by providing free 24/7 video Amphan. When the cities of Bangladesh went
and tel-counseling to people all over under full lockdown, the streets were
Bangladesh. She also released several deserted, and stray animals were left
free guided meditations in Bangla on wandering and wondering where their
their website and online pages. friends and food had disappeared to.
That is when Rakibul Haq Emil and his
associates came to the aid of our four-
‘Through persistent effort we legged friends.
have taken a holistic approach
to mental healthcare. We In 2015 Emil founded ‘People for
are strongly advocating for Animal Welfare’ (PAW) Foundation, an
awareness, mindfulness and organization of animal activists. He had
openness of mind. I believe, to always believed in raising awareness on
fight the pandemic there is no animal rights to protect the innocent
other alternative than a healthy creatures from abuse.
mind.’
At a time when rumors of transmission
from pets were running rampant,
Emil sent legal notices to several COVID-19 outbreak, both hospital
departments of the government to stop authorities and funeral homes often
the spread of misinformation. PAW fed refused to take responsibility for
stray animals and birds, including dogs, completing the deceased’s last rites.
cats and monkeys as there were no food Hero understood the struggle. He
sources on the streets. For over three works along with two organizations
months, they fed over 30,000 animals in Chattogram, ‘Shebai Dhormo’ and
in Dhaka, Jashore and Khulna providing ‘Projonmo Lohagara’, to provide both
around 70 thousand meals. burial services and funeral prayers,
easing the pain of families that have
“This pandemic taught us to be already lost so much. In the future,
more empathetic to the helpless Hero plans to set up an isolation centre
ones. That’s why I am hopeful in Chattogram to help those in his
that human beings will keep community.
learning and growing more
responsible to protect animals
‘I am always ready to be
and nature.”
by the side of the people
SALAH UDDIN HERO, 28 throughout epidemics,
One of the most pressing issues arising contamination. With the death toll rising
from the COVID-19 crisis was burials. every day, many families couldn’t find the disasters, floods and
Families were unable to provide proper additional resources for a safe burial, other bad times.’
dignified burials because of fear of while already dealing with the pressure of
grief. In the immediate aftermath of the

ALL THE PEOPLE WHO STAYED HOME


One of the hardest, yet most effective ways of
combating the spread of COVID-19 is to stay home.
For a lot of people, this meant not going to work,
not experiencing nature and staying away from
their families for months on end. The isolationists,
understood that staying in was (and is) a matter
of life and death for many. We acknowledge all the
people who stayed home and did their part to help
slow the spread of COVID-19, as well as those who
could not afford to, for economic and professional
reasons.

19
4
TIGERS
In May 2020, during the first wave of
the virus, Bangladesh, a country in
the delta region that remains highly
vulnerable to climate change, was
hit by Cyclone Amphan. The storm
devastated many towns, villages
and chars (islands) in the south of
the country.

Following this natural disaster, in


the months of July and August, the
nation experienced heavy rainfall
resulting in a flooding crisis amidst
the pandemic. But Tigers braved
the weather to help communities
tackle the storms and build their
lives back up from the silt.

21
Bushra wadded through waterlogged youth-led community action. Ashfaq
valleys, like a true Tiger, to get to the connected, advised, supported and
people that needed her the most. guided them to co-design projects
that reached vulnerable populations
‘Challenging periods are the to deliver food aid during the extended
best time to discover great lockdown period as well as after.
opportunities. An immense
amount of consideration and ‘BEACON’ has initiated different
support has encouraged me projects supported by mass fundraising
to start a charity platform campaigns. One of its most remarkable
in which I have connected initiatives is a successful campaign in
several artists and architects support of healthcare workers.
BUSHRA HUMYRA ESHA, 30
to contribute their artworks
With two calamities happening in the In the months of the rains, when
country at the same time, there was
to support people who live
in areas affected by Amphan Bangladesh was struck with Cyclone
a major scarcity of food, and people Amphan which was followed by severe
in the remotest areas were deprived and the indigenous people
flooding, ‘BEACON’ volunteers boarded
of basic necessities. Every day Bushra living in CHT. I have seen
boats to jet down rivers, through
would read news about the sufferings of people are compassionate
wetlands and up streams, to deliver
people across Bangladesh. Inspired by about supporting each other
essential survival goods to communities
her friend who made a plea on Facebook and I am hopeful I can keep
that were entirely cut-off from air and
for donations for the displaced Bihari serving the underprivileged
communication. True beacons of hope!
population of the Geneva camp, she community to alleviate poverty
decided to join in. in Bangladesh.’
‘We should be resilient
Bushra managed to raise enough
money to supply 400 food aid packs
and hopeful. The valiant
that contained three months’ supply young volunteers have
of grains such as rice and lentils.. To
proven that they are
consolidate her efforts, she set up the
aptly named Facebook group, ‘Privileged great leaders and they
for Underprivileged’ through which she have played a vital role
raised 20,00,000 taka. This amount went
a long way - funding almost 2,000 relief in not only safeguarding
packs that were distributed in the most their communities but
vulnerable, diverse, and underprivileged
areas of Dhaka.
also raising awareness.
The path that the
Bushra also reached out to minority
youth have carved for
groups in Rangamati and Bandarban.
Her team went to Bandukbhanga, themselves when it
a remote village, in Rangamati, comes to emergency
distributing sanitary napkins and soap
to 150 girls. It was an area with no
ASHFAQUE KABIR, 32 response should give us
Ashfaque founded ‘BEACON’
electricity or mobile network. In Bhola
(Bangladesh Emergency Action Against
a lot of hope and means
and Shatkhira, two districts badly
affected by the cyclone and flooding,
COVID-19) based on his experience to be resilient to face
of working with the dynamic youth of
she helped 80 families immediately after such emergencies in
Bangladesh. He mobilized a team of
the virus struck the country, making it
volunteers in Dhaka, Mymensingh and future.’
through a waterlogged village where
Rajshahi, who were passionate about
most villagers were out of food.
MOHAMMAD TIPU SULTAN, 24 ‘No matter how bad the
Tipu’s journey of helping people
situation is, what matters
during this crisis began out of a
sense of responsibility towards the is how you choose to deal
less privileged. He realized that not with it.’
everybody had the luxury of staying
safe at home while still being able to
afford food on their table and clothes
on their back. He used his connections
from his alma mater to gather support
and funding for those in need, raising
around 300,000 taka from 261 donors.

His initiative was also backed by Arla


Foods Bangladesh Ltd, Mission Save
Bangladesh, The Daily Star and Samakal.
What started off as a small initiative
is now a government registered
organization that has managed to
support almost 4,000 people most
affected by the cyclone Amphan.

23
5
TIGERS
During the early months of the
COVID-19 pandemic, many rumors
began to circulate, deepening
people’s fear and confusion. Many
people, cut off from credible sources
of information, were left in the dark
about health guidelines and the ‘do’s
and don’ts’ of this unprecedented
situation.

Tigers began their fight against


misinformation to educate people
about the dangers of the virus and
how to stop its transmission.

25
The platform reached over a million Zunaid knew this wasn’t because they
people in just three months and raised didn’t care but it was because they
funds for more than 100 families. weren’t fully aware of the impact of
COVID-19. Hailing from Pekua Upazila
of Cox’s Bazar, he decided to raise
‘ If I fight alone, I will awareness in any way he could. And so
only reach so many he set out with nothing more than a
loudspeaker on a CNG auto-rickshaw to
people. But if I fight in drive around his area.
a team with my fellow
Zunaid broadcast information about
cartoonists, we can make what COVID-19 is and how to combat
a movement that can the virus. He also set up information
stalls around town to inform and
change our societies and
educate the community in his Upazila.
WARDA ASHRAF, 30 create a more inclusive With a team of 24 people, he continues
In the very first days of COVID-19, and just world to live in.’ to raise awareness in his area to help
Warda Ashraf and her friends started people around him make informed
brainstorming ways to spread news and choices - from washing their hands for
information about the outbreak. They 20 seconds to social distancing and
knew that they could reach a great staying home.
number of people through social media,
but what would be the language and
message? How could they communicate ‘We must spread valid
critical information to people across
information amongst
generations and interest groups?
the masses and avoid
Art, they thought would be the common rumors.’
denominator. Warda and her friends
set out to create ‘Art to Heart’ a
visual-communication initiative to raise SHADMAN SAKIB ANIK, 27
awareness. Warda and her teammates In March, Shadman and his team
began reaching out to artists and began an awareness campaign called
cartoonists asking them to donate ‘Utshaho’ in 20 districts outside Dhaka
their time to create visual messages through their ‘Kindness Ambassadors’
about health. As the weeks went by project. The goal was to bring to light
and COVID-19 began to take its toll in the dangers of COVID-19 in rural areas.
various ways, they created awareness The team worked to translate the
messages on sharing domestic work at existing information into terms that
home, the increase in violence against MD ZUNAID, 30 would make sense to the people. For
women and children and other critical Although the virus was spreading rapidly example, social distancing or the ‘six
issues. across Bangladesh, many people were feet distance’ rule became “dui haat”
not able to gauge the seriousness of (length of two hands) distance.
The online platform also creates child- it. Villagers, in particular, were for the
friendly content and shares educational most part, averse to wearing masks and The ‘Kindness Ambassadors‘ went to
activities to do during the lockdown. The social distancing. This new reality was towns and unions in 24 districts to do
content not only sheds light on the virus too far-fetched. With villages having public presentations (miking) on the
but also addresses it’s less talked about a high concentration of older adults, topic of COVID-19, reaching almost a
effects such as the increasing burden it was disconcerting for Zunaid to see crore people. They went shop to shop,
of household work on women and the such disregard for warnings and safety putting up posters, banners and social
spike in domestic violence. practices. distance markers in public areas.
‘COVID-19 hit our country hard but now more
than ever in recent history, we see people
uniting to ask - ‘How can we help?’. I aim to
create a culture of good deeds by developing
‘skill donors’ who will lead an inclusive,
grass-roots social movement. We want to give
people not just money, but long-term support
and connect good-will to where it’s needed
most. Through our platform, normal people
cooked and donated over 100,000 meals and
distributed thousands of clean clothes, mobiles
and laptops. We want to keep building bridges
so that anyone can donate skills or time to help
communities in any way.’

Shadman also started the project


‘Shuddhota’ to teach people how to
wash their hands the right way. They
worked with other organizations
to come up with low-cost and low-
maintenance hand-washing stations
which are not easily damaged or stolen.

These stations, as well as social distance


markers and posters, have been set
up in seven large bazaars in different
districts across the country.

The ‘Kindness Ambassadors’ are also


busy helping nursing mothers, pregnant
women, and farmers. Throughout, they
wrote down the names and contact
details of everyone they helped, so in
future, if there is ever another crisis they
will be able to immediately reach out.

27
6
TIGERS
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic was not
the same for everyone. Depending on location,
age, health, socio-economic status and gender,
many people were disproportionately affected.

Some groups, such as women and indigenous


communities, needed more assistance than
others. During the government-ordered
shutdown, women faced the grave danger of
domestic abuse and violence, which was only
heightened by the stress of losing income and
stability. Pregnant women worried about how
and where to deliver their children. Minority
groups were often cut off from primary sources
of funding and resources and forgotten during
aid efforts.

But Tigers heard their needs and delivered,


sometimes literally. Because the pain of one
person is as important as that of a thousand.
29
PAVEL SARWAR, 31
Sanitary napkins and sexual health- ‘Essential hygiene products are
related products have been a priority for the health, dignity
systematically stigmatized, despite and welfare of all women and
being essential for female health and periods don’t stop during a
wellbeing. pandemic. The energy of young
people can bring positive
If access to these products and sexual changes if used properly and
health education was difficult to access we are working restlessly on
before COVID-19, it became nearly it. Our dream includes a pledge
impossible for many women during the that no one will be left behind.’
pandemic.

Pavel understood this difficulty when his


wife asked him to buy sanitary napkins
during the lockdown. After contacting
several e-commerce sites he managed
to finally purchase a pack. This led Pavel
to consider the difficulties women face
on a monthly basis. In response he
created a website called ‘Trikonomiti’
using funds from his group ‘Youth Hub’.

SRABANTI A HUDA, 33 ‘Trikonomiti’ delivers sanitary napkins at


& SHARNILA NUZHAT KABIR, 21 women’s doorsteps without any service
Daulatdia is home to one of the world’s largest brothels, charge when ordered through their
where 1,500 women make a living through sex work. website. They have included all sorts
Located in Rajbari district, the area is so big that it is often of female hygiene and sexual health
called the ‘brothel village’. When the pandemic hit, most of products to the range of goods on their
these workers lost their means to a livelihood. the platform. With almost a thousand
sanitary napkins safely delivered
In March, when the government banned customers and already, Pavel plans on expanding the
announced the closure of the brothel to prevent the range of goods and services provided
spread of COVID-19, the residents of the brothel made a on his website in the future.
public appeal for help - they were starving.

Sharnila, a development worker who was then working


with ‘Footsteps’, and her cousin Srabanti A. Huda decided
to take matters into their own hands, setting up an online
fundraiser on Choloshobai.com. They raised 700,000 taka
and were able to provide funds to 1,300 sex workers and MOHAMMAD MOHASIN, 32
400 children. The pandemic has affected people of
all ages, genders and races, crippling
‘Hope shows us how to act - it allows us to entire economies. Some of the hardest-
look beyond the immediate future and to what hit sections of society are differently-
is possible with a little effort and dedication. abled people, who are in many cases
more vulnerable to the virus. Moving
We need to hold on to hope and keep fighting
about to procure basic necessities
in order to come out strong from this trying
during the outbreak, all the while
year.’
maintaining social distance and safety
protocols, has been a paramount
challenge for them.
Mohammad Mohasin was just six months old when
he lost mobility in his legs to another epidemic -
polio. But he did not let it stop him from becoming ‘I will continue to fight the pandemic by
a champion! Mohasin is the Founder of Bangladesh listening to marginalized voices closely.
Cricket Association for the Physically Challenged and I plan to combine the lived experiences,
the Captain of Bangladesh’s Wheelchair Cricket Team. knowledge, and expertise from different
When the Covid-19 pandemic began to gain momentum walks of life to co-create an inclusive, life-
in Bangladesh, Mohasin knew that people like him would centric future through storytelling, design
be double-challenged. And he stepped up to lend a thinking, and foresight strategy. I have
hand to the differently abled by mobilizing volunteers seen over the years that wonderful things
and donations from organizations. In the weeks that can happen when people come together
followed, he pooled together enough funding to help and connect through empathy and
4,000 families of differently-abled people to support courage. That gives me hope for a better
themselves. future, no matter how dire the present
reality is.’
‘While the number of deaths from COVID-19
increases all over the world, I am working to
help the people in my community. I collect
relief from various organizations for the
physically challenged and helpless people.’

Trishia Nastaran, 34
Meye Network is a feminist grassroots organizing
platform that has been uniting women for a greater
cause since 2011. Their COVID-19 response initiatives are
Sisterhood, Service, Gabura, Benami and Kajer Meye.
Through these initiatives, they have been able to help 901
families in various parts of Bangladesh. The nature of the
pandemic crisis is quite different from other natural or
human-made disasters. This time the middle class, those
living paycheck to paycheck, with no substantial savings,
were severely affected. Many people lost their jobs. To
assess the situation, Sisterhood conducted surveys to
understand the needs of the affected individuals and
families.

The second project, Service, started as a by-product of


the first. The network had identified the most vulnerable
members of society and started providing financial aid to
families who lost employment because of the pandemic.

The third project, Gabura, was initiated to provide aid


to the ‘Tiger Widows’ of Gabura. Tiger Widows are the
women who lost their husbands to tigers (and other
perils) in the Sundarbans. These women are believed to
be cursed and are socially ostracized.

Benami and Kajer Meye, designed to be support systems


for women in crisis, provide mental and professional 31
guidance. Both of these initiatives are active during the
pandemic to meet the evolving needs of women.
7
TIGERS
Medical workers treating COVID-19
patients are the heroes of our
time.

Doctors and nurses who took


an oath to treat and help their
patients rose to the occasion for
the good of the country and its
citizens.

And many Tigers across the


nation supported their efforts
by providing health information,
protective gear and sanitation
advice.

33
‘Discrimination, vulnerability,
stigma and taboos made our
community more practical and
insightful about life. We are
fighters and we can fight! Our fight
did not just start. Nothing has
muzzled us until now and nothing
will! We still exist against all odds,
stigma and taboos. This is hopeful
and resilient!’

ALI YUSUF, 49
Ali Yusuf is a poet turned philanthropist
from Mymensingh who raises funds
for COVID-19 patients and also helps
cremate and bury those who pass
away from the disease. Ali serves as
the coordinator of one of the three
teams of volunteers that bury or
cremate deceased COVID-19 patients MD. JAKIR HOSSEN, 26
HO CHI MINH ISLAM, 25 The constant shortage of medical
in Mymensingh city. Ali also arranges
The sufferings faced by trans-gender
financial aid for the underprivileged supplies is an everyday reality for many.
and sex workers’ communities in their
using his social media platforms. His Before the pandemic, people made
daily lives were rarely a part of any
work shows that in a time like this, even do with what they had, but during the
conversation, even before the pandemic
the smallest of initiatives can make a outbreak, being well-equipped was of
began. COVID-19 only escalated
difference in people’s lives, regardless of utmost importance.
their sufferings and restricted their
how affluent the initiator is.
opportunity to earn a decent income.
At the worst stage of COVID-19,
Society turns a blind eye on them and
‘I feel the urge to do philanthropy the patient struggles to breathe,
their voices get lost time and time again. because I come from a family that and needs a ventilator and oxygen
Ho Chi Minh Islam has been working for has known struggle. Since my tanks for survival. When Jakir Hossen
many years to give these communities childhood I saw my dad was always identified the mismatch in supply and
a voice. A nurse by profession, Ho Chi by the side of needy people despite
demand, he quickly found ways to help.
Minh is also a trans-activist who has our own needs. I believe we have a
He bought five oxygen cylinders and
represented Bangladesh in international responsibility to help others.’
travelled across Dhaka to bring oxygen
LGBTQI conferences. She noticed the lack
to those who couldn’t afford it. He has
of initiative to help these communities
managed to help 30 people who were
during the COVID-19 crisis and set out
in need of emergency assistance and
to collect funds and distribute relief
hopes to continue helping people
materials to them. She managed to
through his humble initiative.
serve more than 600 people, distributed
over 4000kgs of rice and raised around
‘Since it has not been possible to
200,000 taka in funds.
prevent people from venturing
out, I work on raising awareness
Ho Chi Minh was disheartened by
of safety precautions. I also
the lack of inclusive leadership and keep distributing oxygen
tolerance towards these communities among infected people. I am
when she started her work but after this hopeful because the vaccine is
experience, she experienced a positive already under development and
change within herself. She now believes most people are careful now.
in the power of youth and the power of However, we should not be too
solidarity to bring about social change. relaxed yet in dealing with the
deadly disease.’
QUAZI TAIF SADAT, 34
Masks and hygiene supplies quickly
disappeared off the shelves of
stores at the onset of the pandemic.
Common people were forced to buy
overpriced masks and sanitizers.

Quazi Taif Sadat took it upon himself to


make affordable masks and sanitizers.
The first few thousand pieces were
distributed for free among those
in need. Since then Quazi has been
working on creating a cheaper
ventilator machine which can be used
in remote medical centers. He has
already created a prototype of the
ventilator and hopes to save precious
lives in the future using it.

‘I am continuously working
on my ventilator project.
Beside that I am distributing through food distribution, funding
ARAF AHMED, 23
hand sanitizers and food medical camps, and capital
& TAHMID HASIB KHAN, 26
among the underprivileged investments to assist rehabilitation.
Araf and Tahmid, two Bangladeshi
almost everyday from the expatriates in Canada, set out to find
month of March. I strongly a way to help their country during the Since its inception, ‘Bachar Lorai’ has raised over
believe I can help lots of unprecedented crisis of the pandemic. 18,80,000 taka solely to provide COVID-19 food
people.’ Their movement, ‘Bachar Lorai’, has relief to socio-economically disadvantaged
been working as a social innovation families and vulnerable communities. They
incubator, to support initiatives on have managed to provide more than 10,000
all levels - logistics, supply chain, meals to some 700 families. They have
fundraising and distribution,. Together also arranged 5,000 daily meals and 1,000
they make sure that initiatives have a CDC-grade masks for frontline workers and
significant impact on communities. healthcare heroes which were accompanied
by instructional videos on the reuse of
Since April 2020 they have supported masks.
13 grassroots initiatives, whose work
ranges from providing oxygen cylinders ‘Throughout this pandemic, I have been
inspired by the grit of frontline workers
to rural hospitals to a WhatsApp
which made me to want to join them in
information dissemination campaign.
the fight. Initiating the ‘Bachar Lorai’
They have also helped create movement has opened me to the reality
informative videos and webinars with of my privilege, while realizing the
public health experts to educate the continuous burning needs of Bangladesh.
general public about COVID-19. ‘Bachar Lorai’ plans to address various
resource and socio-cultural determinant
Apart from the awareness deficiencies.’
campaigns, ‘Bachar Lorai’ has
reached out to four Amphan-
affected communities and
helped over 500 families 35
8
TIGERS
Children, although not at high
risk of being infected by COVID-19
were greatly affected by the
closure of schools.

Millions of children were cut off


from education in 2020. All across
the world, close to 10 million
children may never return to their
classrooms. This has forced many
educators and institutions to
rethink learning, and to invent new
ways of teaching.

Tigers also looked for ways to


continue teaching and reaching
those falling into the digital divide.

37
37
educate children on how to wash their He reached out to students in his village
hands and use hand sanitizer or masks. home, particularly the lower middle
Alongside these initiatives, they are class families that struggled to pay
also donating books for free to children for their children’s schooling and the
across Bangladesh. increased data-bills of online classes.

‘We are working to make Using his own resources to help them
children aware of good health continue their education, Wahidul
practices by creating the encouraged them to keep studying.
content. We believe in hope, He also provided relief packs to 260
and quiet, hard work. We are homeless women, distributed grocery
able to serve mankind and will items to 10 families and helped 15
keep fighting this pandemic.’ widows from his village.

WAHIDUL ISLAM, 25 ‘We have very little time in


Wahidul’s strategy to tackle the this short life and so there is a
COVID-19 pandemic was a multifaceted great joy in doing something
approach - from raising awareness, good for others in this trying
food distribution, and helping to fund times. This is my way of giving
the education of high school students. to the future and I am hopeful
that every challenge teaches us
He made an impact in many areas - some important lessons about
but education was his main focus. He life, makes us stronger, gives
raised funds to pay for the tuition of five us scope to build solidarity
students in his village and reached 450 and drives us to some new
SAMIM ASHRAF, 30 people with his awareness campaigns. inventions and new systems of
Samim’s work with education and living.’
children began with ‘Mentor Moshai’, a
development and lifestyle platform for
children. He creates and shares free
content to educate children on topics
such as mental health, technology,
communication, internet safety,
cybercrime etc.

During the COVID-19 shutdown, the


‘Boi Dao – Give a Book’ campaign
involved collecting old, used books
then distributing them among
underprivileged students for free.

‘Mentor Moshai’ provides online


lessons for free, and also distributes
awareness leaflets and safety masks
to underprivileged children and
rickshaw-pullers in Raipur, Chattogram.
They share daily content on their
YouTube channel and Facebook page
with a focus on awareness building.
A lot of their videos are tutorials to
MONIRUZZAMAN MONIR,25
A Teach for Bangladesh Fellow, Monir has
worked with children and education for years,
but when the pandemic hit, he was forced
to rethink the way kids are taught. Currently
working as a teacher in a disadvantaged
primary school in Chattogram, he came up
with the idea of starting ‘Helping Hands’, an
initiative to provide aid to the families of his
students -- especially those that aren’t able
to make ends meet. He ran three projects --
‘COVID-19: During Ramadan Initiative’, COVID-19:
Eid Salami’ and COVID-19: Mental Well-Being
and Health & Hygiene.’.

They were able to deliver food items to about


3,600 students and their families, reaching
16 underprivileged school communities in
Chattogram, three Upazilas in Bandarban
and one special children’s school in Jhalakathi,
Barishal. Keeping in mind the crisis in hospitals,
Helping Hands also provided 20 extra-large
oxygen cylinders in five hospitals of Chattogram.
They also distributed about 7,000 different
types of safety equipment. He is currently
working on the mental wellbeing, health and
hygiene project, providing support to 1,000
families that have lost their income sources
and need support with their children’s mental
well-being and family’s health. This project is
implemented in the same 17 disadvantaged
school communities in Chattogram city.

‘I believe that by helping each other


we can grow stronger together. We
plan to continue to fight COVID-19
through continuous community
development projects. We can be
hopeful and resilient as long as we
are surrounded by helping hands
and friends. COVID-19 is almost
everywhere now and this is the
new normal. To ensure maximum
efficiency and ensure sustainable
development, we must collaborate
and cooperate.’

39
The Tigers in this book come from all over
Bangladesh. Some of the Tigers are small. Some
are tall. Some are seniors. And some are cubs.
Some Tigers wear sarees. Others sport half-
pants. Each Tiger is unique, but they all have one
thing in common - the Tigers care.

These are only a few examples of the thousands


of acts of compassion that occurred in response
to the COVID-19 epidemic.

We hope these Tiger tales will forever inspire


you to earn your own stripes by being of service
to others.

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