Do your part this winter

As the rickshaw glided through the mist-sodden path, the bleak breeze whipping my face, I could not help but notice the tattered shirt worn by my sociable companion in front pulling us away. While I was comfortably seated in the back, in my well laundered clothes with a light shawl draped around me, shielding my limbs from the chill of winter, my rickshaw puller was dressed meagrely in a patched-up shirt and trousers which were in a worse condition. 

"Are you not cold?" I found myself asking. 

With a wry smile he said, "It's better now than it was last night."   

There are millions of others like him living inside and in the outskirts of the capital, in remote, as well as urban settings. While for most of us this time of the year means latest warm fashion trends, barbeque reunions, holiday trips and much more, for the underprivileged winter brings unbearable sufferings and hard times. 

The Met Office predicts a cold winter in Dhaka, and the lowest temperature hitting as low as 2-4 Celsius in the northern regions of the country. With millions of people in the face of the frigid winter, it is high time for us to extend our hands and there are numerous organisations which exist to help us do our parts -

PROJECT KOMBOL 
An initiative by Garbo Bangladesh and Bandhu Foundation, it was incepted with a mission to ensure proper distribution of winter clothing across the country and today, its vast network has reached over 34 districts. As there are enough organisations and initiatives being taken to help out the needy in Dhaka, Project Kombol's primary concern is to link those entities with NGOs in the remote areas of the country. 

Its winter drive is currently ongoing and all corporate firms, educational institutions, even individuals are encouraged to donate through Project Kombol. For more information on how you can come in aid in reducing the suffering of people, just log on to: projectkombol.com/donate. With a minimum donation amount of Tk 250, you can easily make sure that someone is receiving a 'kombol' today!

JAAGO 
One of the most prominent names for doing voluntary work in the local scene, Jaago's winter initiative is already underway. It will be recruiting over 50 volunteers to help distribute blankets to people in the streets of Dhaka and to some faraway areas in North Bengal. Having donated 1000 blankets last year, they have already had big wheels like Grameenphone and Airtel backing them up in the previous years and it will be reaching out to different sponsors this year as well to boost its activities. 

You can simply send a message to Jaago's Facebook page or e-mail:  info@jaago.com.bd, if you have giveaways.    

DURNIBAR FOUNDATION 
One of Durnibar's fundamental aims is to help the needy. It has been hosting winter drives annually since 2012 and will be soon launching this year's event in two segments. One will take place all over Dhaka city, while the other event will be organised in the northern regions of Bangladesh. It has set a plan to reach over 2500 people and distribute 1500 blankets in other colder areas. 

Interested donators can visit Durnibar Foundation Office 
located at House #25, Road #10/A, Dhanmondi, Dhaka) with their items or monetary aid.  

YOUTH AGAINST HUNGER BANGLADESH 
YAH is the youthful, energetic wing of Hunger Free World, a non-profit organisation having its headquarters in Japan. Last year, it had visited a number of outlying and hence neglected regions including Panchagar, Jhenidah and Shirajganj. Their program for this winter is already underway as volunteers are on the move and intend to complete collections by the second week of December. They may even extend their efforts some later parts of this month.

Youth Against Hunger Bangladesh is located at 2/8 Block-F, Lalmatia, Dhaka or call (+88) (01516) 784989. 

CHARITY RIGHTS BANGLADESH 
This organisation, a member of the United Nations Global Compact from Bangladesh, arranges winter drives every year, reaching nine sites across the nation.  It will be donating a total of 1000 blankets to various places, namely Rangpur, Mymensingh, Bhola as well as the streets and slums of Dhaka city. Call them at (+88) (01912) 266934 or bKash your contribution to (+88) (0175) 6354800.

PERCEPTION FOUNDATION 
In 2014, Perception Foundation was established with a view to change people's view, social taboos and problems. It arranged 'Sweater Weather 2015' last year at Dhanmondi, which was quite an eventful activity. 'Sweater Weather 2016' will be taking place on the 17th, 23rd and 24th of December in Uttara, Gulshan/Banani and Dhanmondi successively. 

An interesting collection procedure has been set up for the expected 150-170 volunteers working as a team and will be led by a captain, going from house to house, convincing and asking people to make donations. 

The clothes collected will then be sorted and later distributed by the organisers in areas outside Dhaka. Interested volunteers can knock on their Facebook page and take part in this noble cause.

Keeping the truly needy in mind, today, take a moment to count your blessings. And rethink about those who do not have as much. The smallest amount of contribution can ease someone's difficulty and bring a smile on their face. So take a step forward. Do you part today! 

By Nafisa Faruque