Dhaka: Upholding the noble motto ‘Education, Restraint, Discipline’, the alumni platform of BAF Shaheen College has embarked on a new chapter of humanitarian and social welfare. The non-profit and charitable organization, ‘Shaheen Cares Trust’ (SCT), officially commenced its journey on Friday evening through a grand inauguration ceremony held at the Banquet Hall of Banani Club Limited in the capital.
Initiated by the former students of BAF Shaheen College, Tejgaon, Dhaka, from the 1989 batch (Class of ’89), the trust was formed following two years of extensive discussions, meetings, and diverse social consultations. Its primary mission is to eradicate discrimination from society and secure a dignified future for underprivileged individuals and people with special needs. Aligning with this vision, the central theme and slogan of the trust has been set as—”Building Dignified Futures, Together”. SCT will serve as a global home connecting generations of Shaheens across Bangladesh, North America, Europe, and Australia.
At the very beginning of the event, arriving guests were warmly received and welcomed at the entrance of the Banquet Hall by Board Members Selin Sultana, Fazal Salauddin Ahmad, and Rozana Rouf. Once the guests were seated, the program commenced with a beautiful recitation from the Holy Quran. Following this, children with special needs delivered a deeply touching and emotional performance of the National Anthem in sign language, adding a profound dimension to the evening.
Following the anthem, the welcome address was delivered by the Chairperson of Shaheen Cares Trust, Data Magfur. Emphasizing the importance of strategic partnerships and sustainable social impact, he stated, “We are proud to support this meaningful initiative that drives sustainable impact. Our commitment remains strong in fostering growth and empowering communities through this partnership.”
The event then moved into the ‘Journey of 89’ segment, where Board Member and the Master of Ceremonies (MC) for the evening, Shahnaz Sharmeen, shared the touching story behind the inception of the trust. She narrated how, after moving into their respective professional careers post-school, the friends felt a deep calling to give back to society, which ultimately sparked the idea for this trust. She also gratefully highlighted the incredible and selfless support from both non-resident Bangladeshi (NRB) friends and local batchmates working tirelessly behind the scenes. This was followed by the digital screening of a special documentary, ‘The Journey of ’89’, chronicling their shared memories and the foundational roots of the trust.
Marking the main highlight of the evening, Chairperson Data Magfur invited all present Trustees to the stage for a joyful cake-cutting ceremony to officially launch the trust. Concurrently, the official website of the trust, www.shaheencares.org, was formally launched to mark its global and digital presence.
Following the launch, General Secretary Sumana Binte Masud presented a comprehensive briefing on SCT’s strategic goals and its five core pillars of the trust include:
Children with Special Needs: Creating pathways to skills, inclusion, and independence. Youth Employability: Equipping young people with skills, vocational training, and career pathways. Elderly Care: Developing dignified, sustainable care systems for older people. Organizational Sustainability: Helping nonprofits strengthen systems and develop independent income sources. Shaheen Community Care: Supporting members of the wider Shaheen family—including former teachers—during times of genuine need.
She also introduced the strategic partner, SPUS, and outlined the joint framework for collaboration. As the first milestone of this journey, a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Shaheen Cares Trust (SCT) and ‘Satarkul Protibondhi Unnayan Sangstha’ (SPUS). This initial joint initiative will be implemented over a 3-year timeline (2026–2029) at Satarkul, Dhaka, focusing on the empowerment, education, and self-reliance of individuals with special needs. General Secretary Sumana Binte Masud signed the agreement on behalf of SCT, while General Secretary Ujjwala Bonik signed on behalf of SPUS.
Following the signing, General Secretary Ujjwala Bonik of SPUS expressed deep gratitude to the trust, saying, “If everyone steps forward like this for underprivileged children, it will be very much possible to bring these children into the mainstream of society. We believe this partnership marks a significant milestone in achieving our shared vision. This collaboration creates an incredible opportunity to turn our strategic goals into reality.”
The formal segments were followed by a heartwarming and captivating cultural performance by the talented children of SPUS, which deeply moved and emotionalized the audience.
The program then transitioned into an interactive Open Discussion session. During this segment, Board Members Mazedul Islam and Anirban Ahtab addressed various important and constructive questions from the guests and shared insights on the trust’s future roadmap.
The launch was attended by former students of BAF Shaheen College,Dhaka eminent social workers, distinguished citizens, and officials from various non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The event concluded successfully with a vote of thanks delivered by the Treasurer of Shaheen Cares Trust, Anisuzzaman Naser Khan, who warmly invited all former Shaheens to join this organic spirit of service, followed by a networking dinner.
