1° of Celebrations, 1° of Spirit, 1° of Change

Through its different initiatives, 1° Initiative has come to be about more than its members or its projects; it has come to be about the kids they have worked with. Kids from the streets and slums, kids who are Bangladesh's tomorrow, kids who have an enormous amount of untapped potential. 1° members have played with them, taught them a thing or two and learnt much more, and have held them special.

Therefore, in celebration of 1° Initiative's third birthday, the team decided to launch an evening dedicated to these children. Aptly titled 1° of Celebrations, (sponsored by Akij Food and Beverages Ltd. (AFBL) and Dhaka Bank Ltd; with Radio Today as media partners), it was a fulfilment of the promise to the kids we have worked with of giving them the opportunity to showcase their creativity, and perform a series of dance numbers, drama and songs in front of a large audience who will appreciate their efforts. At this event, children from Aalok Shishu Shikkhaloy (a concern of Afzalunnessa Foundation), Ekmattra and JAAGO Foundation were provided with a platform that celebrates their spirit and cherishes the fact that the smallest change contributes to a greater whole, and the humblest of beginnings goes a long way. Throughout June and July, 1di members worked tirelessly in preparation of the much anticipated event. Rehearsals were held regularly at the Ark International School. 1di is extremely grateful to Mr Nurullah Patwari, Principal for allowing us to use his premises for this purpose. Amidst singing, dancing, drama, training and videotaping, the rehearsal days sped by in a blissful blur.

Our grand event took place on July 18 at the Shahid Zia Auditorium, National Museum, Shahbagh, Dhaka from 5 - 7 PM. The programme included dance performances with songs "Cholo shobai" and "Heal the world" by the Ekmatra kids; "Charampatra," "Shurjodoye tumi" and "Karar oi louho kopat" performed by Aalok Shishu Shikkhaloy; and a play titled "Poverty: A Social Parasite" by JAAGO Foundation. Maxim on guitar and Rizwan on violin performed "Time of your life". The programme also included a video footage of 1° projects made by 1di members and a video footage about the rehearsals for the celebration titled 'The Making of 1° of Celebrations'. Special thanks go to Fahad Zaman for making this video.

There were approximately 700 guests at the event including teachers from all major schools, organizations with a CSR-concern, members of youth-led development projects, humanitarian organizations, and representatives of both print and electronic media. We tried to bring together young people from different schools and backgrounds under one banner to promote the need of self-motivated leadership amongst them; and to bring together concerned authorities from different academic and social institutions as patrons for community service and youth initiatives.

But this was not all. 1° of Celebrations was also designed to respond to the needs of the greater population. Earlier, 1° Initiative had begun implementing a project where flood-affected regions were donated a completely set-up community tube well on high raised ground. Being in desperate need of clean drinking water as an aftermath of most natural calamities, this implementation was proven successful amongst the locals. In order to take this project further, a fundraiser was conducted at the end of the event. The funds raised will be put to use in providing long-term solutions to post-disaster situations.

This was the largest event to have been hosted by 1di to date, involving all our members, abroad and in the country and several outside volunteers. It was one of those times when all 1di members unite together and bring together the Dhaka youth, and together, they accomplish something marvellous.

See pictures of the event

See pictures of the rehearsals

Project time span: June and July 2009

Event date: 18th July, 2009, Saturday