WHERE HOPE MEETS HUMANITY

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn

A heartfelt conversation with Md. Adnan Hossain, Founder of It’s Humanity Foundation (IHF), on fostering sustainable change through education and empowerment in marginalised communities.


 

What was your inspiration and vision behind It’s Humanity Foundation (IHF)?

Back in 2009, during my bachelor’s studies at BRAC University, I participated in a winter clothes distribution campaign in Kurigram, Rangpur. That experience profoundly impacted me, as I witnessed the harsh realities of underprivileged families struggling to make ends meet. Many of these families faced impossible choices, with most unable to send their children to school. Despite government and NGO support, they hesitated to prioritise education as investing time and effort in their children’s education did not promise a better, secure future. As a result, many families opted to have their children work, even for meagre earnings of a few taka a day, believing it to be a more immediate solution to their financial struggles.

That encounter stayed with me and I wanted to do something for them. Growing up, my family instilled in me the values of kindness, empathy, and charity, which inspired me to aim for lasting change in marginalised communities. I was also greatly influenced by Sir Fazle Hasan Abed’s transformative work with BRAC, which we learned about during my university days. His vision of sustainable development ignited an idea in me. After discussing it with a friend, I decided to establish a small charity school in my hometown of Nilphamari.

It wasn’t easy, but after six months of planning, I rented a small corridor in a two-bedroom house for 500 taka and opened the school on 4 June 2010, with just 17 students. At the time, I didn’t envision this initiative becoming a professional endeavour. However, as the impact of the school became evident, I realised the potential to expand the work. By 2012, I formalised the initiative, naming it It’s Humanity Foundation (IHF). Since then, it has grown significantly, running various programs aimed at supporting the underprivileged and creating meaningful, lasting change in their lives.

 

Md. Adnan Hossain
Founder and Executive Director
It’s Humanity Foundation (IHF)
Photograph by Shihab Mohammad

 

How are IHF’s programs designed to make a meaningful impact in marginalised communities in Bangladesh?

IHF creates sustainable solutions for marginalised communities through its four key programs: Education, Livelihood, Youth Development, and Emergency Response. Each program is designed to address specific challenges while building a brighter future for those in need.

Under its Education program, IHF currently operates 14 schools across Bangladesh, providing free education, healthcare, and meals to 1,200 students. By addressing essential needs, we remove barriers that often prevent children from accessing quality education.

The Livelihood program supports families who depend on additional income, which often forces children into labour. To address this, we empower mothers to become home-based entrepreneurs through Protibha, a platform that showcases their skills and crafts. Protibha operates in four categories – Arts and Crafts, showcasing traditional forms like rickshaw art, cinema art, and folk art; Flavours, Promoting organic food items such as ghee, oils, and spices; Design and Consultancy, offering colour and art solutions for interior design projects; and Home Decor and Fashion, focusing on sustainable fashion and homeware. By connecting these products to e-commerce and f-commerce platforms, Protibha enables financial independence for women, allowing them to support their households and send their children to school.

The Youth Development program prepares today’s children to become tomorrow’s changemakers. Acknowledging the harsh realities faced by many in rural areas, where survival often takes precedence over aspirations, IHF has introduced Haate Ghori, a vocational training program in partnership with the Trust Technical Training Institute (TTTI). After six months of training, participants become certified skilled labourers in various fields. Additionally, our Youth Leadership program provides training in leadership, financial literacy, and digital literacy, equipping young people with the skills to break the cycle of poverty.

Finally, IHF’s emergency response program provides vital support during natural disasters, from flood and cyclone relief to distributing winter clothing. These efforts offer immediate aid while strengthening communities to face future challenges.

Together, these pillars form a comprehensive approach, tackling both the symptoms and causes of poverty, while building sustainable pathways for marginalised communities in Bangladesh.

 

What best describes your approach to leadership?

My approach to leadership comes from a deeply personal place. I’m an empathetic person, a trait I inherited from my father, who taught me the value of kindness in everyday life. I lead with my heart, especially when I see opportunities to make a positive impact. While I do consider practicalities like financial calculations, my decisions are guided more by the potential to do good than by numbers alone.

Professionally, my leadership journey has been shaped significantly by the team I work with. We have a dedicated group of around 90 people working both in the field and at the office, and they have played a huge role in strengthening my leadership. It’s a collective effort and no one achieves success alone. The accomplishments of It’s Humanity Foundation are a testament to the entire team’s dedication and hard work.

 


Growing up, my family instilled in me the values of kindness, empathy, and charity, which inspired me to aim for lasting change in marginalised communities.


 

What are IHF’s biggest achievements, and what is your vision for its future?

For me, IHF’s greatest achievements are deeply personal and go beyond awards or recognition. The trust we’ve built within communities stands out the most. This trust has enabled us to establish schools in remote and underserved areas, reaching children in char regions, on hilltops, in remote islands, and even on the streets. Creating an inclusive education platform where every child feels they belong is a milestone we’re incredibly proud of. Gaining the trust of families and helping shift their mindset toward education and progress has been both our biggest challenge and our most rewarding success.

Looking ahead, our vision is to expand our impact by building more schools and even universities, while fostering sustainable communities through education and skill development. We aim to promote entrepreneurship at the grassroots level, particularly in agro-based industries. At its core, IHF’s vision is to drive meaningful change in Bangladesh’s education sector, working alongside others to create a brighter future for generations to come.

Share:

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
On Key

Related Posts

THE TELEPHOTO REVOLUTION

From professional-grade telephoto lenses to advanced AI features, the vivo X200 redefines mobile photography in collaboration with ZEISS.   In the realm of flagship smartphones,

THE POWER OF INNOVATION

Duke, CEO of vivo Bangladesh, highlights how the company’s leading technological innovations and committed CSR initiatives are empowering individuals digitally and enriching lives.   As

TECH STARS

Since 2007, Star Tech Ltd. has been a trusted name in Bangladesh, renowned for exceptional customer service and a user-friendly online shopping experience. Managing Director

ORGANIC GROWTH FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS

Md. Faruk Khan, Co-founder and CEO of Khan IT, adjunct faculty at United International University & National University, and SEO instructor at 10 Minute School

THE GREEN BLUEPRINT

Dr. Mohammad Sujauddin, an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Environmental Science and Management at North South University and an expert in Industrial

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.