On 28 October 2026, UN Day was celebrated with children of the Ghashful Shishu Bikash Kendra in East Madarbari’s Sebok Colony, Chattogram, under this year’s message: “Invest in Peace.”

The programme was organized by the Lions Club of Chittagong Parijat Elite, for whom the centre is a signature project. District Governor Lion Md. Kamruzzaman Liton PMJF attended as Chief Guest, while PDG Lion Sheikh Shamsuddin Ahmed Siddiqui PMJF joined as Special Guest. Together with other Lions and Leos, they spent time with the children and shared messages of peace, compassion, and growing together.

The story of this centre goes back to 1993, when development pioneer Paran Rahman, founder of both Ghashful and Parijat Elite, created an early childhood learning space for children of the historically marginalized Sebok community—at a time when educational opportunities for children in the neighbourhood were extremely limited. The vision was simple: no child should be left behind.

That commitment continues today. Through Parijat Elite’s support, eye screenings have been arranged for 60 children of the centre and around 250 students of a nearby government primary school, alongside books, food, gifts, recreation, and other forms of support.

Perhaps this is what investing in peace looks like at its most human: a book in a child’s hand, a dream in their eyes, and the assurance that society has not forgotten them.