Better Schools for Brighter Futures
Volunteers Association for Bangladesh (VAB) improves the lives of children in rural Bangladesh through education. VAB awards scholarships, provides tutoring, equips classrooms, and trains teachers. Programs begin in preschool and continue through college. These programs lead to improved test scores, lower dropout rates, and ultimately a better standard of living for the students. Founded in 1998, VAB’s first scholarship recipients are now in universities, professional colleges or starting their careers. VAB supports a secular education.
Click here to see all of VAB’s programs.
Reshma Saujani spoke on South Asian Americans and Public Service at a recent VAB brunch. Ms. Saujani is the first South Asian-American woman to run for Congress on either side of the aisle. Active in US politics from a young age, Ms. Saujani is running for Congress in the 14th District of New York. She holds an M.P.A. from Harvard and a J.D. from Yale.
Success Story: From the Village to Medical School
The story of Kamal Hossain, a VAB 2006 college scholar, highlights the importance of VAB’s work. Kamal Hossain has secured admission to the second most prestigious medical college in Dhaka (Mitford). Kamal passed SSC from Pir Jatrapur High School. Burichong, Comilla with an A+ Grade. His father is a farmer, and there are 12 members in his family.
2009 Highlights: SSC Exam Results Are In
Students who attended the 31 VAB-assisted schools scored 5 percentage points higher than the national average in the 2009 SSC Examination.
– 92% of VAB scholarship awardees passed the exam
– 82% passed with an “A-” grade or higher
– 19% passed with an “A+”
We congratulate VAB’s students for their hard work and success.
2008 Highlights: SSC Exam Results Are In
Students who attended the 28 VAB-assisted schools scored 7 percentage points higher than the national average on the 2008 SSC Examination.
– 92% of VAB scholarship awardees passed the exam
– 93% passed with an “A” or higher
– 19% passed with an “A+”
This is an enormous achievement when one considers the 88% pass rate from the better equipped schools in the capital city of Dhaka.
Currently, VAB arranges computer training through its New Jersey Chapter under the Computer Literacy Program (CLP). VAB-NJ provides four computers with accessories, and pays for two teachers for each Computer Literacy Center. So far, 107 Centers have been established and 18,000 students have been trained.
Most VAB staff are volunteers. Fund raising costs are kept low through mailed in and online donations. Please consider making a donation today.
With more nearly 175 members operating in developing countries, InterAction works to overcome poverty, exclusion, and suffering by advancing social justice and dignity for all. By joining, VAB gains access to international donor expertise, networks, and best practices.
VAB Honored by New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly cited VAB for its “extraordinary contribution to the entire community and beyond” stating that “the efforts of VAB have touched the lives of countless people and are worthy of special recognition.”
March 26, 2007