Elementor Page #1254

In the winter of 2021, amidst the harsh grip of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world seemed to freeze—not just from the biting cold, but from the overwhelming despair and uncertainty that hung in the air. The pandemic had turned life upside down, and its effects were felt everywhere. For the most vulnerable, the situation was even worse. Many had lost their livelihoods, and with resources stretched thin, even basic necessities like warm clothes became luxuries.

I was just 16 then, in Grade 10, trying to navigate online classes and the strange new normal. But while I was safe at home, wrapped in the warmth of my blankets, the streets outside told a different story. One evening, I glanced out of my window and saw a man sitting on the corner, shivering under a tattered piece of cloth. His face looked tired, his hands blue from the cold. Because of the pandemic, I knew people like him had no chance to earn, no chance to prepare for this unforgiving winter.

The thought haunted me. How could I sit in comfort while so many struggled to make it through the night? The situation, worsened by COVID-19, triggered something in me—a fire, a responsibility to do something, no matter how small.

I shared these thoughts with my closest friends. To my surprise, they felt the same way. Together, we decided to take action. We started brainstorming ways to help and came up with a plan: to raise money and buy winter clothes for those who needed them most.

At first, it felt like an impossible task. We were just teenagers with no income of our own. But we didn’t let that stop us. We reached out to our classmates, teachers, and family members, explaining the urgency of the situation. We even dug into our own tiny savings, knowing every little bit would count. To our amazement, the response was overwhelming. In just a few weeks, we managed to raise 27,000 BDT—an amount that felt monumental to us.

With the money, we bought warm jackets, sweaters, and blankets. I’ll never forget the day we distributed them. We ventured into the cold ourselves, walking through the streets with bags full of winter essentials. The smiles on the faces of the people we helped were worth more than words can describe. Some couldn’t believe that a group of teenagers had done this for them.

That winter, the world may have felt colder and darker than ever before, but for a brief moment, we brought a little light and warmth into people’s lives. And that was how Serene Soul was born—a platform born out of compassion, driven by a simple yet powerful mission: to make a difference, one small act of kindness at a time.

Looking back, I realize that those first steps we took were not just about helping others; they were about learning what it means to care, to take responsibility, and to act. Even now, that winter continues to inspire everything Serene Soul stands for today.

A short introduction to the workshop instructors and why their background should inspire potential student’s confidence.