The story of Shwapno Chaka began with a shared vision of creating employment opportunities for marginalized communities in Madaripur. To turn this vision into reality, ACT Foundation partnered with Madaripur Municipality to design a project that would not only provide livelihoods but also foster long-term financial sustainability.
On May 24, 2025, the first step was taken when an orientation session was organized for the selected beneficiaries and their local guardians. During this session, Co-Founders Istiaque Ahmed Shawon and Moshiur Rahman Sajib explained the terms and conditions of a four-way agreement involving ACT Foundation, Madaripur Municipality, the beneficiaries, and their guardians. Honorable Mayor Md. Khalid Hossain Yead attended the event, encouraging and reassuring the participants. The orientation ensured transparency and clarity, laying the foundation for trust and collaboration.
The project was officially inaugurated on June 8, 2025, when Mayor Md. Khalid Hossain Yead formally launched Shwapno Chaka in Madaripur. On this occasion, ACT Foundation Co-Founder and President Istiaque Ahmed Shawon delivered the welcome speech, marking the beginning of a transformative journey.
As part of its first phase, fifteen individuals from underprivileged communities received electric rickshaws, funded by zakat contributions from Bangladesh, Canada, and the USA. The project introduced a unique model: beneficiaries would contribute a portion of their earnings to a fund that would, in turn, finance new rickshaws for others. This cycle of giving ensures sustainability and shared growth, making Shwapno Chaka more than just a project—it became a movement for empowerment.
The inaugural program was attended by Panel Mayor Saidul Basar Tofi, Co-Founders Nazmul Islam Shamim, Chowdhury Fakrul Alam, and Moshiur Rahman Sajib, Vice President Shuvro Sultana, members Maruf Hasan and Nusrat Jerin Shuvra, and Shwapno Chaka Coordinator Sajib Mandal. Their presence symbolized the collective commitment behind the initiative.
At its core, Shwapno Chaka is about more than distributing electric rickshaws. It harnesses zakat funds to generate employment, advance financial and digital inclusion, improve access to finance, and support the national vision of a cashless, smart Bangladesh. By empowering marginalized communities, Shwapno Chaka represents a wheel of hope—turning compassion into opportunity, and opportunity into transformation.
Source: Act Newsletter