Maisha Islam Monamee

2020 has been difficult for everyone. As I say goodbye to the year, I look back at some of the important lessons I learnt.

Manobota-19, a social welfare organisation, was founded by Sadvan Sarwar Shuvo, earlier this year. The organisation primarily intends to support underprivileged individuals by providing them with food.

Founded by Swatil Mahmud, Swayong is an inclusive platform that addresses women’s issues through myth-busting and storytelling.

Renaissance Shamajik Shongho is a social welfare organisation founded by Fokhrul Islam Sumon, a student of University of Dhaka (DU). Primarily, the organisation intends to raise awareness on child marriage, drug abuse and other social issues through regular campaigning.

Universities from all across the country are now focusing on extracurricular activities alongside academics, and clubs have been arranging various programmes to enhance the skill sets of students.

The Dhaka Lit Fest was called off due to the ongoing pandemic. Every year, the fest has authors from home and abroad coming together to interact with readers, discuss trendy topics and present their work.

The ongoing pandemic has affected our lives in innumerable ways, isolating us from various social practices.

Established in 2016, Udoy is a social organisation working for relief, rehabilitation, reform and development. They strive to facilitate healthcare and education for those in need, free of cost. Their other regular projects include blood donation and campaigns against drug addiction. Their team also provides financial assistance to people in need.

This year, the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA), was cancelled and the organisers came up with the Global e-Competition on Astronomy and Astrophysics (GeCAA).

Khukumoni Foundation, established by Mansur Rahman in 2016, intends to ensure better and secure childhoods for underprivileged kids. Mansur, a graduate from Jagannath University, was inspired to start the organisation after he met a child outside his campus.

Women of the World (WOW) is a global festival that celebrates women and girls by acknowledging the barriers they have to overcome.

Founded by Mahmud Hossain Amin, a student of Dhaka Residential Model College, Yearning Aches Foundation is a youth organisation that works to build a better society, by eradicating social problems.

YouthMappers is a network of universities which provides students with the opportunity to learn mapping skills, develop leadership experiences and create new geospatial data for development projects in places that are vulnerable to natural and social disasters.

Oroddho Health is a youth-based peer support platform, founded by Awsaf Karim in 2019. It works to raise awareness regarding mental health issues, and is dedicated towards providing free counselling services through its Facebook page and group.

InclusionX is a social organisation that intends to support people with mental and physical disabilities.

Nandita Suraksha started their journey in April 2019 as a non-profit voluntary organisation, with an aim to support underprivileged women and children across the country.

International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) is a contest for high school students across the world. The questions are based on algebra, pre-calculus, projective and complex geometry, functional equations, combinatorics, and number theory.

Youth Policy Forum (YPF) is a platform that creates constructive policy discourse between young students, professionals, and nation-builders.

It’s Humanity Foundation (IHF), a social welfare organisation, aims to build opportunities for disadvantaged communities.

Wander Woman, a community for female travellers, connects and inspires people by arranging regular trips across the globe. The founder, Sabira Mehrin, was one of the winners of the 2020 Diana Award. Their virtual anniversary celebrations concluded on September 21.