High-Level Visit to DRC-ESDO Economic Recovery Project in Ukhia, Cox’s Bazar

Nutritious Food is Transforming the Landscape of Primary Education
The Positive Impact of ESDS’s School Feeding Program in 22 Upazilas of the Rangpur Division-
For thousands of children in the remote villages, char areas, and border regions of the Rangpur Division, school now means not just academics, but also the assurance of safe and nutritious food. Every morning, students arrive at school to receive boiled eggs, bread, milk, biscuits, and ripe bananas. As a result, not only has student attendance increased, but a new enthusiasm for learning has also been sparked.
The School Feeding Program, run by the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, is being implemented at the local level by the private development organization Ekota-Social Development Organization (ESDO). Currently, this program is being implemented in 22 upazilas across 8 districts of the Rangpur Division.
This program includes Rangaipur Sadar Upazila in Rangaipur district; Bhurungamari, Nageshwari, Chilmari, Rajarbahat, and Kurigram Sadar Upazilas in Kurigram district; Palashbari and Gaibandha Sadar Upazilas in Gaibandha district; Jalalakhata and Kishoreganj Upazilas in Nilphamari district; Lalmonirhat district’s Patgram and Kaliganj upazilas; Dinajpur district’s Birampur, Biral, Bochaganj, Ghoraghhat, and Kaharol upazilas; Panchagarh district’s Atwari, Boda, Debiganj, and Panchagarh Sadar upazilas, and Thakurgaon district’s Baliaidangi upazila.
According to ESDO, this program is currently being implemented in a total of 3,379 public primary schools. Nutritious meals are distributed to approximately 435,772 students daily. Stakeholders believe this initiative is playing a crucial role in eliminating student malnutrition, increasing school attendance, and preventing dropouts.
According to the set daily menu, boiled eggs, bread, liquid milk, biscuits, and ripe bananas are being provided to the schools. These meals are helping children’s physical growth, mental development, and focus on their education. This food assistance has, in many cases, become a source of extra nutrition, especially for children from poor families.
Teachers from various schools in the Rangpur Division report that since the start of the school feeding program, there has been a noticeable improvement in student attendance. Whereas the average attendance rate was about 75 percent, it has now risen to nearly 95 percent. Many children who used to attend school irregularly are now participating in classes regularly.
An assistant teacher said, “Many students used to come to school in the morning without eating. As a result, their concentration in class was low. Now, because they get food, they come to school with enthusiasm and actively participate in class.”
Speaking with parents in remote and hard-to-reach areas, it is clear that this program is a significant help for poor families. Many families are now more eager to send their children to school regularly.
Another important aspect of this program is the creation of employment for local women. To ensure the daily supply of fresh food to the schools, local women entrepreneurs have been developed. Currently, a total of 1,748 impoverished women are involved in this initiative as entrepreneurs across 22 upazilas.
Every morning, they boil fresh eggs from their own chickens, source quality bananas, and deliver them to the school on time. Through this, they are able to contribute financially to their families. Many women are now able to cover their children’s education and household expenses with their own earnings.
Officials from the local administration and education department say the school feeding program has brought a positive change to the primary education environment. While the nutritious meals are improving students’ health, they are also enhancing their cognitive development and the quality of education.
District education officials stated that the program is playing a crucial role in preventing student dropouts and ensuring quality primary education. In the future, there are plans to further expand this program through coordination between the local administration, the education department, and the implementing agency.
According to stakeholders, the school feeding program is not just a food assistance project, but it has already set an important precedent as an effective social initiative for improving the quality of primary education, ensuring child nutrition, and enhancing the livelihoods of poor communities.

Inspection of Sponsorship Program Activities by South Korean Sponsor Mr. Oh Seung Soo

Respected South Korean sponsor Mr. Oh Seung Soo inspected various development activities under the sponsorship program from May 11 to 13, 2026. The activities visited included a child development center, a youth group, a drama performance for development, an education support center, a safe delivery and adolescent corner, and Climate-Smart Agriculture (container vegetable cultivation methods), Inclusive Wash Block & School Vegetable Garden, Youth Learning Center, and Youth Women Entrepreneurship Program.
During the visit, he had a heartfelt interaction with the sponsored children supported by his country and listened attentively to their inspiring stories of dreams, progress, and life transformation.
After visiting all the programs, Mr. Oh Seung Soo expressed his deep satisfaction and noted that these initiatives are playing a crucial role in developing the leadership, skills, and self-confidence of children and youth.
Notably, Plan International Bangladesh is collaborating to implement these programs.
We are working together to build a beautiful, skilled, and promising future for children and youth.

Today, BBC Media Action organized an Inception Meeting under the FREED Project at Hotel Lake Castle, bringing together distinguished representatives from various organizations and development sectors.

Safeguarding and Child Protection Training Held in Kurigram.

Entrepreneurial Development Skills Enhancement Training

Under the “Employability Skills and Resilience (ESR)” project, implemented by the Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO) with support from Save the Children, a four-day entrepreneurial development training is being held in Chittagong from May 11–14, 2026.
The main objective of this training is to develop young people as entrepreneurs, create self-employment opportunities, and economically empower them through sustainable income growth. Of the total participants, approximately 60% are women and 40% are men, which helps ensure inclusive participation.
The training provides participants with hands-on knowledge on various key topics, including selecting a business idea, business planning, market analysis, customer management, capital management, profit and loss accounting, digital marketing, and small business operations.
The resource person for today’s session was Mr. Kishore Kumar Dutta (Accounts Officer and Training Coordinator). Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC), Chittagong. He gave an important presentation on the skills needed to become a successful entrepreneur, identifying business opportunities, government support, and various facilities for small entrepreneurs. His guidance, based on real-world experience, generated great interest and enthusiasm among the trainees.
Participants reported that this training is boosting their self-confidence and will play a crucial role in taking their own initiatives and creating employment in the future.
ESDO and Save the Children will continue such activities in the future to develop skills, increase self-reliance, and ensure sustainable livelihoods.

A consultation meeting was held on “Planting Trees for Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Development: The Role of NGOs.”
The event was graced by the presence of Mr. Mahdi Amin, Honorable Advisor to the Prime Minister (for the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment, and Ministry of Labor and Employment).
The session was chaired by Dr. Mohammad Zakaria, Director General (Secretary), NGO Affairs Bureau, Prime Minister’s Office.
Representatives from nearly 200 domestic and international NGOs in the country, including ESDO and BRAC, participated in the event.
At the event, ESDO’s Founder and Executive Director, Dr. Mohammad Shahid Uz Zaman, a Capstone Fellow (NDC) delivered a special guest speech. In his speech, he said that ESDO, as a northwest-based NGO, is working with special emphasis on tree planting for environmental conservation and sustainable development. To this end, ESDO has established a “Tree Gallery” at the Lokayan Museum, which will further encourage the people of the country to plant trees.
He also mentioned that under the leadership of the Honorable Prime Minister, a master plan is being implemented to plant 250 million saplings across the country over the next 5 years to combat the risks of climate change and maintain environmental balance. He expressed hope that ESDO is working to achieve its goal of planting 750,000 trees in line with this national initiative.

Exciting Partnership Announcement!

Proud Moment for ESDO!