From Korail Slums to Armenia: The Extraordinary Journey of Tamanna, a student of JAAGO Foundation School
In a remarkable achievement that underscores the transformative power of education, we are thrilled to announce the exceptional success of Tamanna, a 17-year-old prodigious student of JAAGO Foundation School, who has secured a fully funded scholarship to attend the prestigious United World College (UWC) in Dilijan, Armenia.
The Beginning
Tamanna’s story is one of determination and resilience. Born into a family grappling with abject poverty, her father worked as a driver while her mother laboured as a house helper to make ends meet. Their daily life was a relentless battle to ensure there was enough food on the table. With adversities as such, sending their children to school seemed like an unattainable luxury. But Tamanna had aspirations of her own; she wanted to learn, and she wanted her dreams to take flight. And as the saying goes, when you truly want something, life finds a way.
Breaking The Barriers
In the tunnel of darkness, Tamana’s family saw a ray of hope when they got to know about the free-of-cost education programme of JAAGO Foundation. In 2011, Tamanna was admitted to JAAGO Foundation Banani School, and that’s when her journey to the stars began.
Since the very beginning, Tamanna has been one of our brightest students. She was very attentive to her classes and performed well in all the subjects. Her curiosity to learn new things amazed the teachers. Beyond the classroom, Tamanna wholeheartedly engaged in the school’s extracurricular activities. Her enthusiasm for embracing new challenges and acquiring new skills was infectious.
Though she encountered obstacles in her quest for knowledge, Tamanna remained undeterred. Instead of letting these challenges dishearten her, she used them as stepping stones, surging forward against all odds.
Reaching For The Stars
Tamanna embarked on a transformative journey at the age of 16 when she, along with 11 fellow students, participated in an international VEX robotics competition held in the United States. Moreover, she went to Turkey to represent Bangladesh at the OIC High School Model Summit 2022 last year which added another feather to her cap. At the summit, she represented the youth and sports ministry of Kuwait, demonstrating her leadership skills and global outlook.
Further attesting to her academic brilliance, Tamanna achieved outstanding success by excelling in the 2023 SSC examination, securing a perfect GPA of 5, and showcasing her sincere commitment to excellence.
Her family’s happiness knew no bounds upon hearing her exceptional result, but their delight transcended all expectations when they received the astonishing news of the fully funded scholarship Tamanna had been awarded to attend the United World College in Armenia. The combination of joy and amazement painted their faces with smiles that lit up the room, reminding them that dreams, even the most audacious ones, could be realised through determination and hard work.
This scholarship was facilitated by UWC National Committee of Bangladesh, which is a two-year International Baccalaureate Diploma Program primarily aimed at 16-to 19-year-olds in 18 countries around the world. UWC National Committee of Bangladesh helps raise funds and selects students for this great opportunity, including partial scholarships. The program provides scholarships to the global need-based students for entry into higher education and is followed by scholarships at many universities worldwide.
Tamanna’s story illustrates the remarkable human capacity to conquer adversity and strive for a better future.
Uplifting the community
Tamanna’s remarkable journey from a marginalised community to receiving a scholarship abroad serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for other children in her community. This scholarship not only uplifts her own prospects but also creates a ripple effect of opportunities within her community.
As a trailblazer, she paves the way for other children to aspire to greater heights, motivating them to believe in their potential. Her achievements serve as a powerful reminder that education is a transformative force capable of breaking the cycle of poverty and bringing lasting positive change to marginalised communities.
As Tamanna’s story illuminates the power of quality education, JAAGO Foundation’s commitment to nurturing such exceptional talents continues to inspire and uplift, creating a brighter and more equitable world for all.