An unusual community initiative in Kurigram is feeding nearly 600 people every day during Ramadan, where the only requirement for receiving an iftar meal is to perform at least one good deed during the day.
The initiative, called the “Valo Kajer Hotel”, is run by the Kurigram branch of the Dhaka-based voluntary organisation Youth for Bangladesh and has already served iftar to more than 10,000 people this Ramadan.
The programme is taking place throughout the month in Chilmari Upazila and is drawing praise locally for encouraging acts of kindness while helping low-income residents secure a proper meal at sunset.
Sixty-year-old Saleha Begum, whose husband died about a decade ago, said she spends half of the day doing light work at people’s homes and the rest of the time in prayer.
“I do good work in people’s houses during the day. I do not do bad things. I pray to Allah, and that is also a good deed,” she told the reporter while collecting iftar from the initiative.
Another visitor, Khadija Begum, who lives in the Ramna Railway slum area, said proper meals are often difficult to manage at home.
“At least here we can eat a good meal once a day. During Ramadan it is a great help,” she said.
A visit to the Ramna Railway Station area in Chilmari showed large gatherings of men, women and children before sunset, including day labourers, rickshaw pullers and slum residents.
Many people arriving for the meal were heard saying they had completed “one good deed today”.
Volunteer Nur Alam said the programme prepares iftar for around 500 to 600 people each day.
“The menu changes every day. Sometimes it is khichuri, sometimes tehari or biryani. Dates and drinks are also served,” he said.
“The only condition is that a person must perform at least one good deed during the day. Then they can receive the meal.”
Around 30 volunteers are involved in managing the daily distribution, he added.
Nur Alam said the organisation has about 4,100 members who each contribute Tk10 daily to support the programme.
“With that support, the initiative is running in four locations in the country, including Kurigram,” he said.
The programme began in 2019 with the aim of promoting social awareness and humanitarian work.
He added that the group plans to establish a school in Chilmari in the future where children from low-income families will be able to study free of cost.
Local resident Mojibur from Ramna Byaparipara said the initiative encourages people to help others.
“I try every day to do at least one good deed. Sometimes I help someone cross the road or show directions,” he said.
Another local youth, Rafi, said several hundred people gather at the site daily.
“Giving food in exchange for a good deed is truly a commendable initiative,” he said.
Volunteer Limon said the programme is now being supported not only by members but also by individuals and organisations.
He said the initiative is currently running in Kurigram, Dhaka, Chattogram and Madaripur and will continue distributing iftar throughout Ramadan.
