The hope that AMAL brings for mental wellness

Tell us more about AMAL. Also, what exactly is alternative learning?

AMAL tries to create a bridge between the limitations and opportunities which our youth face. AMAL’s long term goal is to ensure health and education facilities for every underprivileged child and to make the younger generation into better citizens in Bangladesh within 2025. AMAL works on health services, psychological wellness, education and soft skills which are essential to make conventional learning more effective. By alternative learning, we mean teaching children how to apply their academics toward decision making and moral character building. Our notion is that a healthy psyche in a healthy body can make the global society a better place. It ensures a higher level of productivity lowering death rates and epidemics, ensuring a reduction in social crime and corruption and enhancing the functionality of social law and order. AMAL organises children’s art competitions in the slums of Dhaka city allowing the kids to discover their talents Courtesy

How do you manage experts from all the different fields that you work with?

AMAL has trained volunteers in Dhaka and Bogra, including campus ambassadors from medical colleges, renowned doctors and freelancer researchers from universities. The Department of Mental Health at Dhaka University is also one of our biggest sources of support. In addition, AMAL volunteers receive specialised training from a certified trainer from Cambridge University. We also encourage other likeminded individuals and organisations to partner with us and work toward serving the same purpose. AMAL provides mental health care and medical camps to provide basic healthcare support to the women and children who live under the poverty line in the Capital and in remote areas of Bangladesh Courtesy

How do you relate mental health with employability and de-radicalisation?

For a person to function well in his social and professional life, he needs to be sound of mind and body. A balanced psyche allows one to be engaged in productive activities rather than getting drawn in by radical ideologies and actions. With our mental wellness programs, counselling workshops and professional development trainings, we hope to unlock the immense potential of the younger generation and help them steer clear of radicalisation. AMAL provides mental health care and medical camps to provide basic healthcare support to the women and children who live under the poverty line in the Capital and in remote areas of Bangladesh Courtesy

Since you are a non-profit foundation, where do you get the funding for all the big initiatives you run?

AMAL has both local and foreign partners and patrons who provide philanthropic aid toward our social work. Our reputation and innovative fundraising activities also helps to bring in funds. AMAL collects warm clothes from the cities and reach out to the remote island area to distribute the clothes during the winter Courtesy

As a well established woman entrepreneur in the non-profit sector, what are your suggestions for the youth who are interested in careers in this field?

As a newcomer in the non-profit field, following advice and guidance from proper mentors is very important. Network building is another strength every entrepreneur needs. Strong communication with a good network works as a lifetime asset. Taking failure as a blessing is important. If you can learn from your failures, you will definitely end up achieving something incredible. Be creative and never lose faith in yourself.