On October 22, 2016, Samhati lost Jahanara Ali, one of our founding board members. She attended Samhati’s first board meeting on January 14, 1985 and was elected to the board as Secretary. She has remained committed to Samhati for all these years, and we are very saddened by her sudden departure. In celebration of her life and her dedication to Samhati for three decades, the Samhati Board of Directors and members decided today at our 2016 annual meeting to create a new college and vocational scholarship program. Samhati needs to raise $10,000 to launch the program and give out the scholarships for the 2017-2018 academic year. Samhati will identify three needy and academically worthy young women, one from each of the following localities where Samhati is already funding high-school scholarships: Laksmichamp Union in Rangpur District; Natore District; and Katakhali Village in Patuakhali District. Samhati has been funding middle and high school scholarships in these three districts for many years, and has seen a huge increase in high school graduation rates in these communities. Many of the young women are keen to continue their education with the post-secondary H.S.C.Degree, vocational training in nursing or education or other fields, and/or a Bachelor’s Degree at a university. Such post-secondary schooling is prohibitively expensive for these impoverished students, yet a necessity to secure good jobs and provide support to their extended families. Educating one woman leads to tangible benefits for the whole family and indeed the entire community.

Jahanara Ali, a graduate of Dhaka University, was a strong believer in education for girls and women. In her honor, Samhati is today launching the new Jahanara Ali Memorial College Scholarship Program. Please help us honor Jahanara Ali’s memory and her dedication to education for women by making a tax deductible donation to Samhati. Checks should be made out to “Samhati”, with “Jahanara Ali” in the memo line, and mailed to 8602 Aqueduct Rd, Potomac, MD 20854. Any questions may be sent to info@samhati.org. You may also donate online.

Samhati has 501c3 tax-exempt status with the IRS and is registered as a charity in the State of Maryland. We will send receipts for all donations so be sure to provide your address and email. Donations of $500 or more will also be acknowledged on our website and at our annual benefit. We are grateful for your support in memory of our departed board member Jahanara Ali.

Dated: October 30, 2016