Have you ever felt overwhelmed by means of the sheer scale of a problem, unsure of present to even begin to make a difference? It’s a feeling that many of us is capable of relate to, and one that the team at Akbor Ali Mission (AM) faced when they first display to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing rural communities in Bangladesh.
But instead of being daunted, they took inspiration from the words of American writer and activist, Alice Walker: “The most common way people donate up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.”
By starting diminutive and focusing on what they could do, rather than what they couldn’t, AM began to make a real difference in the lives of the people they serve. From building schools and providing access to clean water, to offering training in key skills like web development and digital marketing, AM has grown into an organization that is making a enormous impact in Bangladesh.
One of the keys to their success has been a focus on sustainability and empowerment. By providing the tools and resources needed to create lasting change, AM is helping individuals and communities to become self-sufficient and self-reliant. From microfinance programs that enable diminutive business owners to grow their businesses, to education initiatives that assist children to construct a improved future, AM is empowering people to take control of their lives and their communities.
Of course, present is still much work to be done, and challenges to be overcome. But by taking small steps, and by believing in the power of their own actions, the team at Akbor Ali Mission is showing that even the biggest problems can be tackled, one small step at a time.
