We Act For Kids Foundation is a France-based organisation established by IDKIDS. Its mission is to unite and mobilise stakeholders around sustainable and generous actions aimed at the well-being and development of vulnerable children and families worldwide, with a particular focus on education and parental support. Operating in 13 countries across Asia, Africa and Europe, the foundation collaborates with NGOs and associations to implement sustainable initiatives to improve the lives of children.
In Bangladesh, the We Act For Kids Foundation focuses its efforts on children living in the slums of Dhaka, particularly those from Bihari refugee families. Since 2014, the foundation has enabled 1,708 children to attend school from Year 1 through to secondary education, in collaboration with Grameen Shikkha, founded by Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus. Beyond education, it provides primary healthcare, hygiene, sanitation, clean environments, and nutrition awareness to underserved communities. The organisation promotes household waste management, personal hygiene, handwashing, and access to safe drinking water by educating the community. It also fosters recreational opportunities through sport for disadvantaged children and provides comprehensive sex education. Additionally, the foundation supports entrepreneurship by developing social business models and offering sustainable income opportunities through a vocational training centre, which provides industrial sewing training aligned with Bangladesh's garment sector.
One of the greatest challenges Wahidul Haque, Country Leader for Let's Do It World (LDIW) Bangladesh and Country Coordinator at We Act For Kids, faces in his work is confronting the sheer depth of poverty and hopelessness that surrounds the communities they serve. In these slums, where families survive on less than a dollar a day, sending a child to school can feel like an unattainable luxury. Although government schools may be free on paper, they are often located far away and come with hidden costs—uniforms, books, and transportation—that render them inaccessible. It is heartbreaking to meet bright-eyed children full of potential, only to realise their dreams are stifled by circumstances beyond their control. The weight of generational poverty is heavy, and at times, it feels like they are fighting a battle far bigger than themselves. Yet even in the face of such adversity, they persevere—because they must.
What keeps Wahidul motivated every single day is the spark he sees in these children's eyes when they begin to believe in a different future. He explains: "These are not just numbers on a report—each child is a story of transformation. From the boy who once skipped school to help his father pull a rickshaw, now dreaming of becoming a doctor; to the girl who was destined for a garment factory job, now studying to become a magistrate—these stories breathe life into our mission. The greatest joy is witnessing children who once had no voice or vision dare to dream boldly. Their courage fuels mine. Their resilience reminds me why this work matters. And their dreams—reborn in the face of the harshest odds—are what keep my heart burning with purpose."
The project is creating a powerful ripple effect in Bangladeshi society—especially within the overlooked corners of urban slums. Where education was once a distant dream, they are building real pathways to opportunity, dignity, and empowerment. Since 2014, what began with just 10 learning centres has expanded into a vibrant network of 25 schools across 20 slums in Mirpur, Dhaka. They operate 50 shifts a day, supported by 50 dedicated teachers who ensure that 1,000 primary-level pupils receive the education they deserve. But they didn't stop there. Inspired by the determination in their pupils' eyes, they extended their efforts into secondary and higher secondary education. Today, they proudly support 1,708 students: 1,000 in primary, 608 in secondary, and 100 in higher secondary education.
The impact has been nothing short of transformative. In 2018, their first cohort of students defied expectations by achieving an 88.42% pass rate in the national Year 5 exams—the first time children from these slum communities had achieved such a milestone. That success rose to 97% the following year, surpassing the national average. In 2024, their inaugural SSC batch achieved an 88.5% pass rate—a triumph that speaks volumes about their resilience and the foundation's unwavering support. These young minds, who once struggled with basic literacy, are now dreaming bigger—enrolling in college and aspiring to professions such as doctors, engineers, and development workers. Every time a child says, "I want to be more than what my parents could be," they know their work is changing lives—and through them, changing society.
For them, education has never been just about textbooks or exams—it is about shaping responsible, aware, and empowered citizens. That's why they have integrated environmental awareness and sustainability into their core work. Through initiatives such as World Cleanup Day and Global Handwashing Day, their students are not only learning about change—they are leading it. These children, who once lacked access to even the most basic education, are now educating their communities about hygiene, waste management, and environmental protection. It is powerful to see slum school pupils inspiring adults, organising clean-up drives in their classrooms and neighbourhoods, and creating real, visible change. And this is not a one-off effort—it is their ongoing commitment, growing stronger each year.
As the Country Leader for Let's Do It World in Bangladesh, Wahidul is determined to embed environmental sustainability even more deeply into the education project under the We Act For Kids Foundation. His vision is to make environmental awareness a fundamental part of the curriculum, helping students grow not only as scholars but as environmental stewards. Because when a child picks up rubbish in their alley or teaches their family to wash their hands before meals, they are doing more than learning—they are transforming their world.
His dream is simple—but immense. He explains: “I want to witness these children soar beyond every limitation life placed on them. I want to see them walk into boardrooms, hospitals, government offices- not as visitors, but as professionals, leaders, change-makers. The most powerful impact of our work is not just that we’re teaching children to read or write—it’s that we’re helping them dream. They no longer see themselves locked into a cycle of poverty. They now see futures filled with purpose and power.”
And one day, Wahidul believes with all his heart, one of these children—who sat in their slum school, who joined clean-up drives, who once needed their support—will walk into their office as a colleague. On that day, he will look at them and say, "We did it. We broke the glass ceiling. We didn't just change one life—we ignited a chain of change. We created a new beginning." That day will be his proudest moment, and the truest testament to the legacy of the We Act For Kids Foundation.
Beyond education, the foundation's mission shines through a vibrant tapestry of initiatives designed to uplift the most marginalised—especially the Bihari community in urban settlements. In these densely populated areas, where access to healthcare is often a distant dream, they have brought clinics directly into the heart of the community—ensuring children and families receive essential health support with dignity. Through sport, they are not just engaging children physically—they are nurturing joy, confidence, and mental well-being in young lives burdened by poverty. Their child safeguarding programmes act as a protective shield, ensuring every child feels safe, heard, and valued. They are proudly building a culture of inclusivity, especially for young girls who have long been silenced. From empowering them through leadership in community games to ensuring their voices shape the programmes—every initiative declares: they matter. As part of their long-term empowerment strategy, they have launched vocational training and social enterprise initiatives, particularly in sewing, where mothers and young women stitch not only fabric, but also their stories of independence, pride, and resilience.
In rural areas, their approach is equally transformative, yet rooted in local strengths and sustainable practices. Here, they are fostering social businesses that enable rural women—many of whom were once invisible—to generate income by selling leftovers or surplus goods. What was once waste now sustains families and futures.
The We Act For Kids Foundation demonstrates how environmental sustainability and social development can reinforce each other. Their integrated approach doesn't just educate children—it cultivates environmental stewards who are transforming their communities from within. By embedding sustainable practices into their educational initiatives, they're breaking cycles of poverty while nurturing a generation committed to environmental responsibility, proving that empowered children become catalysts for lasting sustainable change.
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