Next Steps

Agami 2009 Fundraiser - A tremendous success

Agami held its annual fundraiser on May 30, 2009 at TiE Center in Silicon Valley. This event was organized by Farzana Sultana with the help of many volunteers.

There were presentations by Mahmudul Hassan, Sabir Majumder, Imtiaz Chowdhury and Dilruba Chowdhury. Guests were able to get a glimpse into all the improvements and new projects that Agami had funded in the last 1 year.
The event was MC'ed by Razab Chowdhury and Fahmida Ahmed.

More than 200 donors with multi-ethnic background enjoyed the evening with an opening performance by a local Bay area band ‘Run for Cover’. The band was an instant hit and brought the house down several times with popular rock songs from the 90’s. The main attraction of the evening was Chandan, the lead vocalist for Winning (a very popular 90’s band from Bangladesh). Chandan succeeded in inspiring the crowd and the audience was on their feet for most of the show.

Dinner was provided by Shan, a local Indian/Pakistani restaurant in the Bay area. There were also several booths set up by local jewellery vendors.

At the end of the event, Agami raised more than $49,000 which exceeded all expectations. Agami hopes to continue to raise more funds throughout the year by arranging other fundraisers as well as reaching out to the compassionate and generous Agami donors that currently reside in the U.S.

-Shahreen Chowdhury

Cyclone Aila hits Agami schools in Khulna

Cyclone Aila ripped through the southern coastal region of Bangladesh on May 25. One of the hardest hit areas includes Koyra Upazila in Khulna. According to M.M. Arif Pasha, the upazila nirbahi officer (chief executive), Koyra is one of the worst hit places in the country with 41 people killed, 350 injured 40,000 houses totally or partially damaged, and 4,000 shrimp breeding plants destroyed. More than 150,000 people remain homeless in the upazila (sub-district).

As many of you are aware, Koyra is the location of three Agami schools under the Khulna project. These three schools provide basic primary education to over 700 underprivileged children in Amadi, Patharkhali and Bedkashi villages. We have received initial reports of widespread damage to all three schools. The Amadi school building has been destroyed by the cyclone, whereas the Patharkhali school still remains under water.

Many cyclone survivors are facing a shortage of food and drinking water in areas still under storm surge. They are now receiving aid, mourning the lost and are beginning to rebuild. Agami is in constant contact with our project co-coordinator in Khulna. We are committed to start rebuilding all three damaged schools as soon as possible and bring back the 700+ children back to the classrooms where they belong.
Now is the time for us to stand beside the survivors and pledge our support.

-Dilruba Chowdhury

Project Coordinator