In the hard-to-reach areas of Bangladesh, access to healthcare facilities is not easy. Even medicine stores (pharmacies) are not available in remote areas. Hence, People of these areas have to travel long distances to buy essential medicines, which is costly in terms of transportation and time spent. As a result, many of them refrain from going to buy medicines even when they get prescriptions from doctors.

The Foundation will recognizes two young, bright and promising economists and other professionals every year. An awardee receives a certificate, a crest and amount of money.

Two young professionals will be awarded every year for their committed activities in the field of social work. QK Ahmad Foundation in 2018 conferred the award to two young professionals – one male and one female. Each awardee received BDT 50,000, a crest, an uttariya and a certificate. A five-member Selection Committee was formed for determining the selection criteria, evaluating applications and selecting the awardees. This year over 300 applications were received.

Besides, one journalist based in Moulvibazar district will be awarded every year for their reporting on the problems and prospects of disadvantaged people. The awardee will receive an amount of BDT 25,000 along with a crest and a certificate.

The Foundation in cooperation with Mr. Qazi Atiq Ahmad has established a school named Sohifa Khatun Biddaloy, with the objective of providing modern education to the disadvantaged children. Co-curricular activities are being included. Purchase 22-decimal land at a cost of BDT 13.0 lac has been completed for establishing the School at Panchgaon, Rajnagar Upazila in Moulvibazar district.

The Foundation will launch a programme titled ‘Securing the future of children with disabilities’. The purpose of this programme will be to rehabilitate disabled children economically and socially. Children of up to 10 years of age will be included in this programme.

Besides, the Foundation will provide two-year scholarships to five talented, poor students of Moulana Mufazzal Hussain Mohila Degree College at Rajnagar upazila in Moulvibazar district every year. Each of them will receive BDT 15,000 annually. The college authority will select the students in accordance with the criteria determined by the QK Ahmad Foundation.

According to Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), about 1.41% (2011) of the population in Bangladesh have disabilities and among them a significant portion belongs to age group 16-35 years. Young people with disabilities have been involved in different livelihood activities primarily in agriculture, small business, tailoring and so on in different parts of Bangladesh, often on their own initiative as they are often neglected.

QK Ahmad Foundation wants to create an altruistic society where all are empowered to live with dignity. Impactful change starts from the youth and we want to support young entrepreneurs with financial and non-financial services for their improved livelihood and sustained progress of the nation.

Economic disparity widened during the pandemic and, in January 2021, QKAF signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support Disabled Rehabilitation and Research Association (DRRA) in ‘Promoting Young Entrepreneurs with Disabilities’. Through this program, young entrepreneurs with disabilities will be provided with financial assistance and training to create a sustainable livelihood.

This MoU is the beginning of QKAF’s journey for empowering people with disabilities and for going one step closer to the vision of building an equal and altruistic nation. Initially, this program will be piloted with three (03) young entrepreneurs and scaled up to incorporate entrepreneurs across Bangladesh starting in Rajnagar upazila of Moulvibazar district.