Our Alumni
Here are the Members Who Have Changed Jhilimili for the Better!
Nowsheen Kamal Smita
President, 2021
University of Winnipeg, Canada
Nowsheen Kamal Smita is from BBA-26th batch. She was a Graduate Trainee at Grameenphone. Currently, Smita is getting her Master’s in Development Practices from the University of Winnipeg, Canada. She has been relentlessly working behind social media awareness, on-field campaigns, and much more. For her immensely loving and caring contribution to Jhilimili, we decided to have her as the President of Jhilimili in 2021. Smita has contributed significantly to the EMK exhibition with artworks of street children by Jhilimili, managing everything for the kids, teaching them before the pandemic and what not. Nowsheen’s enthusiasm has initiated a lot of wonderful campaigns from Jhilimili including the pre-pandemic Int. Mother Language Day Program, and the multiple Ramadan Campaigns done in collaboration in the consequent years.
Shabnam Sharmin
President, 2020
Brand Manager at Grameenphone
Shabnam Sharmin was a finance major at IBA, University of Dhaka from BBA-25th batch. During her time at Jhilimili, Shabnam proactively took a leadership role to not only arrange events, but to actively engage people in her efforts. A naturally charismatic and multitalented person, Shabnam arranged many events and campaigns from the scratch. Although Shabnam has graduated from IBA few years back, she continues to remain close to the organization with her valuable presence in our events, physically and virtually. Shabnam has the ability to lift up the spirits of everyone around her, as she inspires all her junior volunteers to play their part in helping the underprivileged from their positions. Shabnam is the beacon of positivity Jhilimili is grateful to have had as a president , and lifelong part of Jhilimili’s journey.
Arif Rayhan
Vice President, 2021
Graduate Trainee at Robi Axiata Limited
The pandemic had forced us to take steps that we had never taken before. Jhilimili has responded to people’s sufferings all around society, connected with impactful organizations, and rolled out supporting campaigns. The key to all these operations of Jhilimili for the past few years has been none other than Arif Rayhan. No matter how difficult and unattainable the goals seemed, Arif always figured out a way to achieve them. This person has taken Jhilimili ahead with his impressive skills in handling logistics and financials.
Shejuti Sharmin
President, 2022
Analyst at PwC Bangladesh
Currently employed at PwC, Shejuti Sharmin was a Marketing Major at IBA, Dhaka University from BBA 27th Batch. As an alumni volunteer with extensive fundraising, marketing, and community outreach experience, she has made a significant impact over the past several years. Shejuti spearheaded highly successful Ramadan iftar fundraising campaigns that provided meals for over 25,000 people in 2022 and 18,000 people in 2021 across 64 districts. Additionally, she played the primary role in developing the Jhilimili website, managed all social media accounts from 2019-2021, led COVID-19 fundraising video campaigns, formulated marketing strategies for fundraising campaigns, and built partnerships to expand donation efforts. Her innovative leadership and collaboration secured the participation and donations needed to feed thousands in need. We at Jhilimili look up to Shejuti’s diverse contributions to forward Jhilimili’s journey of growth.
Words From Our Founders
Jhilimili is one-of-a-kind initiative for underprivileged children that focuses on a community approach to addressing Dhaka’s rising urban poverty with a focus on children residing on the streets.
The covid 19 pandemic has further increased the number of children going out of the education radar and falling deeper into a life filled with poverty. As we move forward, I encourage the current team to create more impact at the policy level through more research-backed opinions and advocacy. Children migrating from rural areas of Bangladesh, disengaging from their extended family, going into child labor, and inevitably dropping out of the education system, has continued long enough. It is time to ask, what is the future of the children we see so often in the streets, and are we doing enough?
Tashfia Anika, BBA 20
Co-founder & Chief advisor, jhilimili
The growth Jhilimili has seen over the last few years is astonishing and incredibl, thanks to these bunch of dreamers. The initiatives they have taken and the heart they have shown during this difficult time to help the people in need truly elevated the mission of the organization. Jhilimili has the best set of people right now at its helm. Looking forward to our future endeavors.
Lamia Hossain
Microsoft
Senior Finance Manager
For the founding team of Jhilimili, Nandita Hore has been the intelligent mind planning every step before execution. In the pre-pandemic world, she has contributed to teaching the children and taking care of them. Living abroad, she put her efforts into expanding our reach.
Nandita Hore
Google
Strategic Finance Analyst
Words From Our Senior Members
It’s been my utmost priviledge to be a part of Jhilimili from its early days. 6 junior batches of volunteers joined after that and they brough educational and financial support for many underpriviledged children. I know the smiles and gratitude from the underpriviledged children and their families humbled not only me but all our volunteers over the years. Everyone in team Jhilimili makes me dream for an inclusive society, where the best humane qualities will create a happy environment for everyone.
Sharif Ahmed
Apple
Channel Fulfilment Lead
Colour, Laughter, Glitter, and Magic. Jhilimili is everything that the very name translates into. This has always been a safe place that helped me explore my truest potential, push the limit, and transform lazy Saturday afternoon thoughts into executable realities. If something bothers you, why not try and change it.
Shabnam Sharmin Swarnali
GRAMEENPHONE
CLUSTER MANAGER
Every time I look at Jhilimili, and the effort that its members put into it on a regular basis, making it grow into something so exceptional, I am mixed with feelings of pride, amazement, and disbelief. Joining Jhilimili and being a part of it (albeit a very very small one) was one of the best things I ever did. I am so glad that this initiative took the path it did and continues to create such an impact. I have no doubt, that this will grow and will continue to grow and spread even more joy because I have seen what the people who are a part of it are capable of.
Rahma Mirza
EDGE Research & Consulting Limited
Investment Analyst
Jhilimili has become a popular platform in taking up initiatives to help the underprivileged people in urban settings. A wonderful bunch is working very hard behind the scenes to make everything happen and they deserve all the credit. Jhilimili for me has always been about the kids and the families we serve. If it means making a difference in the life of even one child, that is very much worth it.
Saadman Rahman Chowdhury
Innovations for poverty action
senior research analyst
We had lots and lots of fun, with a sense of accomplishment too! Jhilimili taught us leadership, not to say empathy and agility. And those are vital for a fulfilling life!
NILOY BHOWMIK
sUMMIT COMMUNICATIONS LTD.
BUSINESS STRATEGY EXECUTIVE
We had lots and lots of fun, with a sense of accomplishment too! Jhilimili taught us leadership, not to say empathy and agility. And those are vital for a fulfilling life!