Feelings as the foundation for sustainable development
We believe that feelings like love, compassion, empathy, and a genuine commitment to uplift others are the true foundation of sustainable development. From the very start, we (Hafiz, Alamin, and Trine) have given our time, energy, and resources to make EDS a safe haven where vulnerable children and youth can thrive. These efforts stem from a deeply rooted love for these children and a belief that, with the right support, they can overcome any challenge. This dedication has shown our community that sustainability isn’t just about structure or material resources, it’s about creating safe spaces and relations where children and youth feel free to develop their transformative skills and become empowered agents of change.
When the EDS children and youth feel our genuine compassion, willingness to sacrifice and commitment to mentor them to use their power and become who they dream to be, it creates ripple effect where they feel inspired to do the same for others. Even though many of them do not have three meals a day, they volunteer with us four to eight hours a day, six days a week. They teach and mentor younger children to get education and use their transformative skills to change own and other’s lives and reach their dreams. Despite their own struggles, they are driven by a sense of belonging and purpose which develops when compassionately engaging with vulnerable children and youth over time. This commitment to each other, and realization that we are interconnected, is the essence of sustainable development.
This cycle of giving and receiving, where each generation of EDS students becomes mentors for the next, ensures that EDS thrives and grows as a community built on mutual care, emotional bonds, trust and shared responsibility.
Torikul playing football with boys at the Shishu Palli governmental orphanage
Results
Comments from our change agents show what they value in EDS
“I don’t need money Haiska. I know what I may do if I have money, and I don’t want to do that anymore. I want to be in the environment of EDS and become like the good leaders here. I want that you mentor me to stay on the right path so I can become the person I want to be.” Jakaria, former youth gang member after Hafiz offered to give him money to cover his basic needs.
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“I want to be in EDS because here people truly care about me. Outside EDS people promised me work, but they never kept their promise. They pretended they cared about me, but only cared whether I had the latest fashion. And they used me to their benefit. They never asked me how I was doing or about my education.” Torikul, former youth gang member and now leader of EDS Ajax branch, mentor for boys in the Shishu Palli government orphanage and assistant to develop EDS Gher branch. |
“I recorded what Haiska told me and I replay that every night before sleep to motivate me to stay focused on my dream and feel empowered that I can reach it.” Pintu, former EDS teacher.
“When I enter EDS, I leave all my problems behind. I put on a smile and teach the best way I can. Because I know that if I don’t teach these children, they will drop out of school and not have a good life. I feel responsible to help them get education and a good future.” Alamin, EDS leader.
Our youth are out and about in the community and the fish pond, see and feel the needs and take initiatives to implement solutions. They feel it’s their responsibility to help others and give back to their community, and they feel they have the skills to solve problems they encounter.
“When I enter EDS, I leave all my problems behind. I put on a smile and teach the best way I can. Because I know that if I don’t teach these children, they will drop out of school and not have a good life. I feel responsible to help them get education and a good future.” Alamin, EDS leader.
Our youth are out and about in the community and the fish pond, see and feel the needs and take initiatives to implement solutions. They feel it’s their responsibility to help others and give back to their community, and they feel they have the skills to solve problems they encounter.
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EDS youth have started EDS schools in remote areas, so children get access to education. They have also taken initiatives to teach in the Shishu Palli governmental orphanage.
EDS youth are fully responsible for the fish farm all year round. They crop the land, us ethe produce to make picnic in EDS and in the process they develop relations to the land and wish to care for it.