Thrive’s School Meal Programs in Bangladesh
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19 May 2025 Dhaka, Bangladesh – Thrive, in partnership with Direct Fresh and Space Dawg, hosted an elegant tea party at Soi 71, bringing together long-time Thrive supporters, diplomats, and community leaders in support of its mission to ensure reliable and sustainable school meals for children in Bangladesh. The event underscored the urgent need for continued investment in nutrition programs that fuel children’s learning and development.
Guests enjoyed a delightful selection of Thai cuisine while engaging in discussions on how community giving can expand Thrive’s reach. Thrive Bangladesh board members – Amna Rahman and Kanwal Bhagat – led the presentation, emphasizing the critical role of school meals in shaping a child’s future.
“Thrive began with a powerful and simple idea,” said Amna Rahman. “No child should have to learn on an empty stomach. Since that first spark, we remained dedicated to delivering nutritious meals to children in under-served communities – ensuring that every child has the energy and focus to grow, to learn, and to thrive”
“A healthy child is a hope for the future, “ said Kanwal Bhagat. “At Thrive, we are honored to play our part in ensuring a brighter, more equitable tomorrow.”
Rubina Karim, a member of the Gulshan Literacy Program School Board, reinforced this sentiment, highlighting the direct impact Thrive’s feeding programs have on school attendance. “ Since 2012, 85% of the graduating Grade 8 students receive A grades and in the government board exams, we have a 100% pass record.,” Karim shared. “This phenomenal success would not have been possible without the partnership with Thrive. When school meals are coupled with education, their lives are changed,” Karim concludes.
The evening featured a heartfelt presentation from Mishal Karim, Chair of Direct Fresh and Space Dawg, who announced a generous commitment to Thrive’s initiatives. Alongside his remarks, Karim presented a special gift of ten lahk, symbolizing his company’s ongoing dedication to supporting children’s health and education. Mr. Karim shared, “I think everyone is well aware that donating to organizations like Thrive and helping those less privileged than us should be a duty everyone tries to the best of their capacity.”, He adds, “These women [of Thrive] are remarkable because they’re there and I’m there every single day. It is a daily commitment we have made. It is more than just a story because we have been together for more than a decade. And I see that with my own eyes through these 3,000 kids.”
Priscilla Heffelfinger, Thrive Executive Director thanks Mr. Karim and the many Thrive supporters at the event for their collective generosity. “ Some of you sponsor schools. Some sponsor for a day, some sponsor for a week, and some sponsor for years on end. Thank you for your warmth and generosity. Thank you for welcoming us into your community. It’s wild and vibrant world that I would have never known. I love it. And most importantly, thank you for all you do for the children of Bangladesh. You are feeding their futures.”
Through Thrive’s tireless efforts and the generosity of its partners, more than 12,000 meals are provided weekly to schoolchildren in Bangladesh and the Philippines. With community-driven support, Thrive aims to expand its reach and serve even more children in the coming years.
The Thrive Tea Party was made possible through the generous support of Soi 71, a renowned restaurant in Dhaka known for its authentic Thai cuisine and commitment to high-quality, preservative-free ingredients. Their donation of the venue and service provided an inviting space for meaningful discussions, complemented by a specially curated selection of food and drinks from Direct Fresh and Space Dawg.
Thrive’s long-term board members – Gina Gabel, Sadia Moyeen and Arsalan Ali – were not able to attend the event, however, they remained present in spirit.
For more information about Thrive and how to contribute, visit www.thrive-global.org
Media Contact:
Sharmin Sultana Akhi
Operations Manager-Thrive Bangladesh
ABOUT THRIVE
Founded in 2012, Thrive’s mission is to deliver healthy food to hungry children in the poorest areas of the world. Thrive partners with schools to provide more than 12,000 meals to schoolchildren each week in Bangladesh and the Philippines. These efforts help improve nutrition, boost school attendance, and increase readiness to learn. Just 1000 taka feeds a child a nutritious meal each school day for an entire month, and each meal provides 50% of a child’s daily nutritional needs via seasonal fruits (including Thrive’s signature banana), vegetables, and protein. In the past 13 years, Thrive has delivered more than 4.4 million nutritious meals. Thrive relies on the generosity of local and international support from partners, including Direct Fresh Ltd., Homebound, Big W, and Far East Knitting and Dyeing LTD. For more information, visit www.thrive-global.org
ABOUT DIRECT FRESH
Founded in 2012, Direct Fresh is a leading food procurement and distribution company in Bangladesh. It provides high-quality, nutritious food through sustainable sourcing and innovative farming methods. With advanced storage facilities and a streamlined logistics network, Direct Fresh ensures fresh, affordable produce reaches households, businesses, and institutions. Committed to social impact, the company collaborates with organizations like the United Nations World Food Program to enhance food security for vulnerable communities, including Rohingya refugees, while supporting initiatives like Thrive to nourish schoolchildren and fuel their learning.
From left to right: Sharmin Sultana Akhi (Operations Manager-Thrive Bangladesh); Amna Rahman, Thrive Board Member; Priscilla Heffelfinger, Thrive Executive Director; Kanwal Bhagat, Thrive Board Member; and Mishal Karim, Chair of Direct Fresh and Space Dawg
Rubina Karim, Board Member of Gulshan Literacy Program School. GLP SSchools are beneficiaries of Thrive’s school meal programs
His Excellency Mr. Michael Miller – Ambassador of the Delegation of the EuropeanUnion to Bangladesh
From left to right: Amna Rahman; Kalyani Santoshkumar; Phillipa Miller, and Dr Sania Ahsan
