Aspire Leaders Program alumni and other students from the University of Chittagong have jointly executed a unique crowdfunded project ’10 Taka Bazaar’. The project team included the following Aspire Leaders Program alumni: Nowshin Arafa (ALP ’24 Cohort 2), Karin Saffana (ALP ’24 Cohort 3), Asma Binte Rashid (ALP ’24 Cohort 1), Eusha Jaman Turzo (ALP ’23 Cohort 1), Kazi Muhaiminul Islam Munaj (ALP ’24 Cohort 2) and Rahbar Karim (ALP ’24 Cohort 3).
Project Context
Tea, often called a soothing medicine for the soul, is a daily ritual for millions. Yet, behind every steaming cup lies a harsh reality. Tea workers in Bangladesh, where the industry has flourished since 1840, earn a mere fraction of the wealth their labor generates. Despite the country’s tea estates contributing 3% to the world’s tea production and generating $2.92 billion in 2024, workers’ daily wages remain at 170 BDT ($1.4) – barely enough to survive. These workers lack access to proper food, healthcare, and education.
The ’10 Taka Bazaar’ project was launched to provide much-needed relief to the marginalized community of tea workers in the Koiyachora-Dolu Tea Estate at Fatikchori, Chittagong, Bangladesh.
Crowdfunded Initiative
This initiative provides workers with a week’s worth of essential food supplies for just 10 BDT ($0.08). The project team comprising Aspire Leaders Program alumni priced items at just 10 BDT or 10 ‘Taka’ to preserve the tea workers’ sense of ownership and dignity. Each package included rice, lentils, soybean oil, onions, and flour. To execute this project, the project team conducted extensive surveys, raised funds, secured partnerships with local suppliers, created a distribution plan, and organized a community event to distribute packages.
On November 3, 2024, the project team successfully executed the ’10 Taka Bazaar’ at the Koyachhara-Dolu Tea Garden in Fatikchhari. Tea garden officials and employees helped distribute 105 packages, each valued at 760 BDT ($6.26), to tea workers. The tea workers contributed just 10 BDT ($0.08) per package, thanks to funds raised through social media campaigns and crowdfunding. A total of 79,646 BDT ($667.77) was collected through crowdfunding to execute this initiative.
This successful project was featured in local media newspapers like the ‘Dainik Purbokone’ and ‘Chittagong Tribune’. The ’10 Taka Bazar’ initiative is a testament to the power of youth to drive positive social change. By leveraging their skills and resources, the project team, comprising Aspire Leaders Program alumni and their fellow peers, has made a significant difference in the lives of the tea garden workers, demonstrating the true spirit of compassion and community.
Alumni Reflections
The Aspire Leaders Program alumni reflect on the project in the following quotes.
“In this world, there are those who can afford to waste food, while others struggle to find enough to eat. Yet every human deserves the simple comfort of a full belly.” – Eusha Jaman Turzo, ALP ’23
“Helping those in need is one of the kindest gestures there ever exists. If we can at least help someone to sleep at night without starvation, then won’t it bring peace to us as well?” -Asma Binte Rashid, ALP ’24
“Let’s dream for those who cannot, [by] creating a world where hope becomes a reality for all.” – Nowshin Arafa Bhabna, ALP ’24
“Creating a bridge of hope, [by] empowering communities to access essentials and embrace dignity in every purchase, holds power to change the world one life at a time.” – Kazi Muhaiminul Islam Munaj, ALP ’24
“Small price, Big value – 10tk Bazar.” – Karin Saffana, ALP ’24
“Building a better world with our actions.” – Rahbar Karim, ALP ’24
