Photo: The Center for Sport, Peace & Society

Wasfia Nazreen, the founder of 'Bangladesh on Seven Summits', has yet again made headlines by winning the title of National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, 2015. As much as it is thrilling for the people of Bangladesh for this positive 'mark' on the world map, the excitement of watching Wasfia, the official ambassador for JAAGO Foundation, join the young volunteers clad in yellow on the streets, is probably tenfold.
On November 20, JAAGO Foundation and Volunteer for Bangladesh celebrated Universal Children's Day all over the country, promoting the idea of investing in education. Events included day long fun and games for the underprivileged and the street children, while the young volunteers in yellow were seen collecting donations for education. "It's not just the 'one' day that's important," says Wasfia. "It's the whole idea of how the current generation believes that offering a hand, making a difference, and getting out there to create that change, inspires others to follow."
Social work, or working for a positive change in society, Wasfia says, is a part of life. "I am happy with how JAAGO has grown as an educational institution, particularly where underprivileged girls are concerned," she says. "There was a time when I and Korvi would discuss as to how at least 51 percent of the students should be girls at JAAGO. Today, 55 percent students at JAAGO happen to be girls!" But then, again, the drop-out rate increases as these girls grow up. "That's true," says Wasfia. "Some of the girls have been given jobs at JAAGO as assistant teachers so that they can teach, earn and study at the same time."
While the country celebrates yet another international achievement, Wasfia Nazreen continues to plan her direction to the peak, sometimes designing different routes. In any case, the top of the world is where she belongs!