Winter can be a fun season for us living here in Canada, but for many who live back in Bangladesh, it can be a very difficult time of the year. Specially with the recent cold wave that hit the Northern Region of Bangladesh, temperatures plunged lower than here in Toronto!

In response to the extreme cold weather in Bangladesh, Drishtipat Canada organized an immedeate online fundraiser to raise enough money to make an effort to help as many people as possible in Bangladesh.

Drishtipat Canada would like to thank all the generous donors who came forward immedeately and helped save hundreds of lives that were at risk because of the extreme temparatures hitting northern Bangladesh. Thank you for your support, and for bringing smiles to so many people :) Your help was definitely appreciated!


Funds raised through this campaign was used to save hundreds of lives in Jessore, Kurigram and Parila (a village in greater Rajshahi), where the extreme winter temparatures had made it close to impossible to survive given the living conditions. The raised funds were used to provide winter clothes and blankets for the affected people in these areas. Priority was given to children and the elderly while donating winter clothes and blankets. This project will potentially be extended next winter by raising funds to build makeshift winter shelters for the homeless. If you have suggestions/ideas/questions regarding this potential extension, please contact us.





Facts to consider:
- The average winter temperature in Northern Bangladesh is below 10 degree Celsius.
- Of the 7 million children living on the streets and in villages of Bangladesh, 84% of them do not have winter clothing (Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, 2003).
- The official number of deaths caused by the recent coldwave is over 110 people since 1st December, 2006.

Why ? To show that we care. And because the price of a coffee for us here in Toronto is enough to keep a child warm for an entire winter in Bangladesh!

A few things to consider:
* 100% the $$ raised will be spent on buying sweaters and blankets. Since we are conducting this campaign through personal contacts, there are no administration costs.

*The sweaters and blankets we purchased are of good quality, and were donated in person at areas affected by the cold wave.
*This project is being conducted as a continuation of the 'A Sweater for a Smile' campaign organized by the University of Toronto Bangladeshi Students Association.

Thanks for your support !!