Service Learning

ABC School was founded in 2000 with a simple yet powerful mission: to provide free education, food, and basic care to children living on the streets of Dhaka. What began with just a handful of students and a dream of offering a safe place to learn and grow has evolved into a thriving community of hope and opportunity.

Over the years, ABC School has expanded through the dedication of its board members, volunteers, and supporters. Today, it serves dozens of children—offering not only academic education but also essential life skills and values. Entirely run through donations and volunteer efforts, the school stands as a testament to how a caring community can come together to change lives, one child at a time.

How AISD Students Help
AISD students support ABC School through meaningful service initiatives that enrich both learning and lives. They organize summer tutoring sessions focused on spoken English and basic computer skills, helping prepare students for a changing world. They lead health and hygiene workshops on topics like nutrition and first aid, often in partnership with local doctors. And through sports sessions, AISD students build confidence and resilience—especially among girls—empowering them to grow stronger, both mentally and physically.

Since its establishment on July 5th, 2017, the Abinta Kabir School, a project of the Abinta Kabir Foundation, has steadily grown, adding a new grade level each year. Now, as it celebrates eight years of service to the community, the school remains committed to its mission of providing quality education in Vatara, Dhaka. The school follows Bangladesh’s national curriculum with a strong emphasis on English, Mathematics, and Technology.
In collaboration with the American International School of Dhaka (AISD), the Abinta Kabir School receives additional support in achieving its educational goals. AISD students actively participate in supporting the school’s mission, raising funds and engaging in meaningful interactions with their peers. Last year, AISD students raised enough money to sponsor two girls from the Abinta Kabir School, further strengthening the bond between the two institutions.
In addition to sponsoring students, AISD hosted the girls on their campus, where they participated in a range of enriching activities such as science experiments, technology workshops, and fun games. The two schools also shared meals together and enjoyed theatrical performances, creating lasting connections and enhancing the educational experience for all involved.
The Abinta Kabir School continues to prioritize student-centered teaching methodologies, encouraging interactive and participatory learning. It also emphasizes English as a communication medium to equip students for future success. Beyond academics, the school nurtures the holistic development of its students through extracurricular activities such as sports days, art fairs, and inter-school competitions, helping students build confidence, leadership skills, and well-rounded character.
The connections between AISD and the Abinta Kabir School ensure that all of our students not only excel academically but also grow socially and emotionally through meaningful relationships and experiences.

The ASF Support Group at AISD supports survivors of acid violence in Bangladesh, offering companionship, skill-building, and advocacy. While most survivors are women, men and children are also supported through medical, psychological, and rehabilitative services.

In its second term, the group will focus on holistic support, combining awareness, skill development, and care. Key actions include:

• Awareness Campaigns: Educating the community about acid violence, prevention, and the importance of supporting survivors.
• Skill Development Programs: Empowering survivors with practical skills for financial independence, with parent volunteers contributing expertise.
• Care and Rehabilitation: Providing basic necessities, emotional support, and essential services to aid recovery and well-being.

Funding Allocation ensures a lasting impact:

• Operational Costs: Maintain safe and functional Foundation facilities.

• Essential Supplies: Provide monthly care packages with toiletries and other necessities.

• Skill Programs: Support programs that equip survivors with skills for independent living.

Through clinic visits, hosting survivors at school, and engaging in activities like games, painting, jewelry-making, and outings, students build meaningful connections, fostering empathy, resilience, and social responsibility while supporting survivors’ empowerment and well-being.

Basha supports women at high risk of harm or exploitation and their children, aiming to break the cycle of poverty and vulnerability. Each woman’s story is unique, but all benefit from the programs and care Basha provides.

Our AISD service learning group is dedicated to supporting the Basha daycare center. Students raise funds for essential school and art supplies, organize sports and fun days, and create positive, enriching experiences for the children in our community.

Currently, we are running two key projects: a weekly online English communication program and a hygiene program that teaches menstrual health and personal safety for about 20 students. To ensure consistent learning, we provide workbooks and activities for days we cannot meet, and we seek donations of iPads, headphones, or funds to help students follow our online lessons more effectively.

Through these initiatives, our students aim to make a lasting impact, empowering the children and families of Basha to build brighter futures.

Bloom supports neurodivergent children through creativity, advocacy, and awareness. The group works to foster empathy, understanding, and inclusion within the community.

Advocacy & Awareness

Students lead campaigns to raise awareness about neurodivergent minds, share inspiring stories, and promote acceptance through social media and storytelling.

Research & Education
Members research and share accessible information about neurodiversity, including creating online videos on how to support and engage with neurodivergent individuals.

Direct Service
Bloom students participate in art therapy workshops with neurodivergent children, building empathy and supporting emotional growth through creativity.

Indirect Service
The group helps connect SAND with NGOs and support networks, improving access to resources and opportunities. They also plan art exhibitions featuring the children’s work, with potential auctions to fund scholarships and program needs.

We aim to achieve our mission through a combination of education, innovation, and practical action:

Community Education: We will raise awareness about mosquito-borne diseases and promote effective prevention methods among students, staff, and the wider community. This will be done through engaging channels such as morning bulletins, Tiger Tributes, and other school communications, ensuring that information is accessible, consistent, and actionable.

Innovative Solutions: We will research and implement the most effective mosquito control measures available. This includes exploring technologies such as blue light mosquito traps and other environmentally friendly approaches to reduce mosquito populations on campus, while continuously evaluating their effectiveness.

Practical Applications: We will tackle mosquito-related issues in real-world settings, including outdoor after-school activities, ensuring students can participate safely and comfortably. Additionally, we will explore structural solutions, such as weatherproofing doors and windows, to prevent mosquitoes from entering indoor spaces, creating a safer and healthier environment for everyone.

The Deshi Ballers Service Learning Group partners with Deshi Ballers—a female-led sports development organization dedicated to empowering Bangladeshi women and girls through basketball. Their long-term vision is to build the foundation for Bangladesh’s first women’s national basketball team, and our AISD students are proud to support that mission.

For the 2024–25 school year, our primary goal is to raise approximately 60,000 BDT to help purchase essential equipment for Deshi Ballers athletes. However, our work goes beyond fundraising. We aim to create meaningful, hands-on opportunities that uplift women through sports while engaging AISD students in real community impact.

One of our major initiatives is sponsoring an annual Deshi Ballers/AISD 3x3 basketball tournament, designed to encourage collaboration, sportsmanship, and community connection. By bringing AISD athletes and Deshi Ballers players together—through a coed, inclusive event—we take a direct step toward gender equity in athletics and demonstrate the power of sport to transform lives.

The Dharmarajika Service Learning Group is dedicated to supporting the children of the Dharmarajika Orphanage by addressing their essential needs and contributing to their overall well-being. Our mission is to provide meaningful, sustained support that enhances the children’s physical, educational, and emotional development.

For the 2024–25 school year, the group is focused on four key goals:

• Nutrition Support: Raising funds or securing sponsors to help provide consistent, healthy meals for the children.

• Donation Drives: Collecting educational supplies, clothing, and other necessities to support the orphanage’s daily needs.

• Student Engagement: Organizing activities such as sports, arts, games, and enrichment sessions to foster emotional growth, confidence, and social development.

• Awareness Building: Using social media and school events to highlight the orphanage’s needs and encourage wider community involvement.

Current Needs of the Orphanage:
The Dharmarajika Orphanage relies heavily on community support to provide:

• Food and nutrition

• Educational supplies

• Clothing, including school uniforms and everyday wear

• Health and hygiene products

• Toys and recreational equipment

Through these efforts, AISD students build empathy, leadership, and social responsibility while contributing to the well-being and joy of the children at Dharmarajika. The group’s work reflects a shared commitment to nurturing brighter futures and uplifting one of the oldest and most impactful orphanages in Bangladesh.

The GIN Service Learning Group focuses on enhancing community health by addressing both immediate and long-term physical healthcare needs. Through strategic partnerships with local organizations and meaningful student-led initiatives, the group works to support the goals of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to health and well-being.

For the 2024–25 school year, GIN aims to make a direct impact through three major initiatives:

• First Aid Training: Offering first aid workshops for students and the wider community to build essential skills and promote confidence in responding to emergencies.

• Ramadan Food Drive: Organizing a schoolwide food collection to support families in Dhaka who cannot afford Iftar meals, ensuring they have access to nutritious food during the holy month.

• Community Blood Drive: Partnering with the Red Crescent to host a blood donation event, encouraging students, parents, and staff to contribute to lifesaving medical needs in the community.

Through these actions, GIN empowers AISD students to become active global citizens, combining service, awareness, and collaboration to improve health outcomes for those around them.

The Mayer Achol Service Learning Group is committed to supporting the children of the Mayer Achol orphanage by creating opportunities that inspire growth, joy, and confidence. Our mission is to “provide for the unprovided” by offering meaningful experiences and essential resources that enrich the lives of these children.

This year, the group aims to deepen its engagement by organizing another full-day visit in March 2025—preferably on March 15—where we will invite 40 children to AISD for a day of play, creativity, and learning. Students will participate in activities such as sports, art, and introductory coding sessions designed to spark curiosity and build foundational skills in a fun, supportive environment.

In addition to hosting on-campus events, we plan to donate essential items based on the orphanage’s identified needs. Mayer Achol has shared a list that includes school supplies, skincare items, and hygiene products, and our group will work throughout the year to collect and provide these items.

Through these initiatives, AISD students build empathy and leadership while creating meaningful connections with children in our wider community.

The Piet Van Service Learning group is dedicated to the Piet Van School, which is a small school for unprivileged children in Dhaka started by the principal Ms. Mohini. There are 115 students, and our group’s purpose is to enrich the experience of those students.

 We are dedicated to supporting the students of Piet Van School by providing learning enhancement tools and fostering positive, lasting impact. Our initiatives focus on developing academic skills, communication, social-emotional health, and physical activity.

This year, our group aims to invite Piet Van students to AISD for interactive sessions that include computer-based learning, skill-building exercises, and collaborative activities with AISD students. Through these experiences, we help students strengthen their communication, teamwork, and confidence while creating meaningful connections across our communities.

The Reading Buddies Service Learning Group is dedicated to promoting literacy and strengthening community ties through reading initiatives. This year, our primary goal is to host a reading event with a local school, laying the foundation for future collaborative events. We also plan to purchase books from local vendors to provide to students who attend, encouraging a lasting love of reading.

Additionally, we aim to partner with the 5th-grade Service Learning team to organize a literacy-focused event in the elementary school, expanding our impact and reaching more students through engaging, educational experiences.

The Shattering Stigma Service Learning Group is committed to reducing menstrual stigma and improving access to menstrual resources within our school and the wider community. Our initiatives include providing menstrual products to increase accessibility, educating youth on menstrual hygiene and safety, and communicating with families to support self-care practices.

Our main goals are to:

• Educate all menstruators about menstrual health and hygiene

• Promote self-care and well-being

• Raise awareness of menstrual-related health issues

• Provide menstrual supplies to those in need

Through these efforts, we aim to empower individuals, foster comfort and confidence around menstruation, and promote lasting change in attitudes and awareness for years to come.
 

Strays In The Hood (S.I.T.H.) is a student-led service learning group dedicated to improving the lives of stray dogs in the Baridhara community through compassionate care, education, and advocacy. Our goal is to foster a culture of empathy and responsibility for animals within AISD and the wider community, while providing hands-on experience in service, leadership, and project management.

This year, S.I.T.H is focusing on several key initiatives: ensuring the health and well-being of stray dogs by organizing regular veterinary check-ups, vaccinations, and emergency care, as well as providing nutritious food and clean drinking water; raising awareness about animal welfare through educational campaigns, school events, and community engagement; and collaborating with the PAW Foundation and local stakeholders to strengthen long-term support for stray animals.

The group also works to secure sustainable funding and resources for ongoing needs such as medical supplies, shelter improvements, and advocacy materials. By engaging in these activities, S.I.T.H members develop leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, while making a tangible, positive impact on the lives of stray animals. Together with our partners, we strive to create a humane and sustainable future for the stray dog population in Baridhara.

The Sustainability Council Service Learning Group focuses on creating sustainable, positive impact within our school and local community. This year, our initiatives include collecting data and proposing solutions to reduce food waste in the AISD cafeteria, and developing recommendations to enhance the cafeteria as a more functional and inclusive community space.

Beyond the school, we are partnering with the Baridhara Society to plan and implement beautification projects at Baridhara Lake Park, fostering environmental awareness and community engagement. Through these efforts, SITH empowers students to take actionable steps toward sustainability while building stronger connections between people and their environment.

We aim to improve mental health in our community by normalizing conversations, providing strategies, and advocating for mental health support. 

Through our Podcast, we encourage open discussions on mental health and share self-help resources. 

Our Direct Service branch promotes mental well-being through support groups, awareness activities, and advocacy for accessible mental health resources. Together, we strive to make mental health a priority for everyone.