MoneyGram, a global money transfer company, yesterday donated $53,600 (around Tk 41.73 lakh) to UCEP Bangladesh to improve teaching and learning environment at 25 schools run by the non-profit organisation. The collaboration with the MoneyGram Foundation will help 18,000 poor students learn mathematics and science using modern technology and gather knowledge about IT. The fund will be used to provide laptops and other IT equipment as well as technology support for the 25 schools across the country.
Grant Lines, executive vice president for business development of MoneyGram, handed the money to A Matin Chowdhury, chairman of UCEP (Underprivileged Children’s Educational Programmes) Bangladesh, at a programme at The Daily Star Centre in Dhaka.
“I am excited to announce the funding of UCEP Bangladesh’s innovative programme because it further strengthens our foundation’s commitment to empowering the communities where MoneyGram’s customers live and work,” Lines said.
“Together with UCEP Bangladesh, we are investing in the power of education and technology, providing these students with the ability to overcome the socio-economic conditions and transform their own lives.”
Matin said the money would help the non-profit organisation impart technological skills to students so they can cope with the changing time.
Kaushik Roy, senior regional director of MoneyGram South Asia, said the initiative is a beginning of MoneyGram’s sustained effort aimed at giving back to the society. Last year, UCEP Bangladesh introduced learning through technology with one laptop at one school. The interest about learning is, however, changing, said Zaki Hasan, executive director of UCEP Bangladesh.
Set up in 1972, UCEP Bangladesh is a non-governmental organisation and aims to uplift the socio-economic conditions of underprivileged communities by helping them learn skills to earn.
It brings drop-out children back to education, provides vocational skills training and offers job-placement supports to young graduates.
UCEP has 63 schools in seven divisional cities and Gazipur, providing education and skills training to 55,000 students.
MoneyGram established the foundation in 2012 to help children around the world gain access to educational facilities and learning resources.
-With The Daily Star input
