In 2018, I, along with a group of close friends, began engaging in small-scale charitable initiatives aimed at helping underprivileged communities in Bangladesh. Although modest in scale, these early efforts made a noticeable difference in the lives of those we reached, and the impact we witnessed inspired me to take a more structured approach. Motivated by a growing sense of responsibility and a desire to scale our efforts, I officially founded BASICS (Benefitting All Souls In Community Service) in January 2019. Since its inception, BASICS has functioned as a grassroots, youth-driven organization committed to social welfare. I took on the responsibility of leading and coordinating the organization, assigning core tasks to some of my friends based on their individual strengths ranging from logistics and communications to fundraising and project planning. We also welcomed dedicated volunteers, expanding our network of changemakers and strengthening our ability to mobilize resources and execute initiatives.

Over the years, we have organized a variety of periodic fundraisers and community outreach projects both inside and outside Dhaka, addressing the immediate needs of marginalized groups. During major festivals such as Eid and Pahela Baishakh (Bengali New Year), we distributed clothing, food packages, and monetary assistance to low-income families, day laborers, and street children. We also provided emergency relief during times of crisis, most notably throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, when many communities were left vulnerable due to widespread job losses and lack of access to basic necessities. BASICS has not worked in isolation. We actively collaborated with other non-profit and welfare organizations, such as Uttara Chinnomul Shishu Kollan Shongstha (UCSKS), offering support in the form of financial aid and helping with renovation projects for child welfare centers and shelters.

Some of our most impactful initiatives include:

• Project S1: A community development project focused on the basic renovation and revitalization of underserved schools.

• Project Awareness: Focused on raising public awareness around hygiene, mental health, and basic rights, especially important in underserved communities.

• Project Relief: An emergency response initiative that provided immediate aid such as food rations, hygiene kits, and financial support during disasters and national crises, including the COVID-19 outbreak.

Through these collective efforts, BASICS has grown into a symbol of youth-led social responsibility and has touched the lives of hundreds of individuals. Our journey continues with a commitment to expand our reach, deepen our impact, and inspire others to act with compassion and purpose.