A few words from a group of street children changed the direction of a small humanitarian initiative in 2016.
While distributing winter clothes, blankets among disadvantaged people, a group of young volunteers met children who had no books or school bags but carried one clear aspiration — to study.
Their three-word request, “We want to study”, became the starting point of Ignite Global Foundation, which over the past decade has expanded into education, humanitarian assistance, youth development and social empowerment programmes.
The organisation launched Ignite School in Bawnia-Turag in 2017 with 32 students and two teachers. The school now has around 155 students, while nearly 1,200 children have received education through the programme between 2017 and 2026.
Ignite says its focus goes beyond academic achievement, aiming to help children become responsible individuals who respect others, support communities and contribute to society.
Based on that philosophy, the foundation introduced inclusive education, where children with special needs study alongside other students. It also runs a therapy centre to provide additional support based on individual requirements.
One of its major initiatives is the child sponsorship programme, through which individuals, organisations and institutions can support a child’s education with Tk1,500 per month. The support covers educational materials, clothing and food for students.
Registered with the NGO Affairs Bureau, the non-profit organisation has worked for the past decade to improve the lives of disadvantaged communities through education, healthcare, disaster support and livelihood programmes.
Through health check-up campaigns, Ignite has brought around 16,000 marginalised people under healthcare services. It has also distributed reusable sanitary napkins among around 750 adolescent girls to help reduce health risks.
Following natural disasters, the foundation built homes for 10 families who lost shelter, providing them with a safer place to rebuild their lives.
Under its ‘Swabolombi’ project, around 180 people have received support to start businesses and become self-reliant rather than depend on external assistance.
Through its ‘Tripti’ and ‘Onno’ projects, the foundation has provided safe drinking water and food assistance to around 1,94,000 people during periods of hardship.
Ignite says its goal is not limited to providing temporary support but to help people develop the ability to build their own futures.
From 2016 to 2026, the foundation says it has reached more than one million marginalised people through its various initiatives.
Behind that figure are stories of children returning to school, families recovering after disasters, young people developing leadership skills and communities becoming more resilient.
The organisation’s approach centres on empowerment — educating children, preparing young people for leadership, strengthening disaster-prone communities and creating livelihood opportunities for families.
A journey that began with distributing blankets a decade ago continues with a broader ambition: making support temporary while making empowerment lasting.
