LEADS helps poor children thru education

Livelihood Education and Development Services (LEADS) Foundation has been working to empower underprivileged children and communities through education, environmental awareness and social action since 2007.

Founded by Romina Dewan, LEADS began its educational journey with the Education Quality Improvement Project (EQUIP), focusing on improving access to quality education, counselling and mentoring for disadvantaged children. The organisation believes education plays a vital role in human resource development and poverty reduction.

Over the years, the initiative has helped many underprivileged students pursue education and establish careers in diverse fields, including the Bangladesh Army, nursing, graphic design and other professions.

Alongside education, LEADS has placed strong emphasis on environmental awareness among schoolchildren. Its environmental campaign, ‘Our Environment Our Resource’, encourages students to understand pollution, conserve resources and adopt sustainable practices, including efficient use of electricity, water, natural gas and paper and following the principles of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

The initiative grew from the SAARC Haveeru Coastal Awareness Festival for School Children in 2012, organised by LEADS with support from the SAARC Coastal Zone Management Centre, Maldives. It was later developed into a structured school-based campaign.

Students and teachers from institutions including Viqarunnisa Noon School and College, Holy Cross Girls’ High School, Rajuk Uttara Model College, Birshreshtha Noor Mohammad Public College and Agrani School and College have participated in the programmes.

According to LEADS, around 4,300 students and teachers have participated in the campaign over the past 12 years. Students also take part in competitions and public exhibitions featuring posters and innovations made from recycled materials.

Through its combined focus on education, environmental responsibility and community engagement, LEADS continues to promote responsible citizenship and sustainable development among Bangladesh’s younger generation.