Marginalised children experience their dream air trip to Cox’s Bazar
For many of the children, the trip was also their first visit to Cox's Bazar
"I always dreamt of flying in the sky, but my parents, being day laborers, could never afford an air ticket," said Nur Islam, an eighth-grade student at Jaago School, an initiative by the Jaago Foundation.
Today (15 January), that dream became a reality when Novoair arranged a special flight from Dhaka to Cox's Bazar.
Nur, along with 30 other students from grades three to nine, embarked on their first-ever flight, thanks to a corporate social responsibility initiative by Novoair.
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The children, from disadvantaged backgrounds, were overwhelmed with joy by the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"When the plane took off, I felt a thrill I can't put into words," Nur added, reflecting on the unforgettable experience.
For many of the children, including Maimuna, a sixth-grader, the trip was also their first visit to Cox's Bazar, the world's longest sea beach.
"I had never seen the beach before, never imagined I'd experience it like this," Maimuna said, standing on the shore of the Bay of Bengal.
"Flying was an adventure, and now I have seen the vast sea waves. This trip is beyond anything I ever imagined. Thanks to Novoair for making my dreams come true," she said.
The trip, aptly named "Dream Flight," was part of Novoair's 12th-anniversary celebration.
The airline carried the children free of charge, giving them an unforgettable experience.
Inspiring aspirations
Mofizur Rahman, managing director of Novoair, expressed his hopes for the children. "Their parents cannot fulfill these small aspirations. We wanted to make a difference. Who knows, someday these kids might become pilots, aircraft engineers, or cabin crew," he said.
More than just a trip
In addition to the flight, the children visited the Cox's Bazar Railway Station and participated in a beach-cleaning program.
"The trip not only provided joy but also instilled a sense of responsibility in the children," said Rifat Binte Ahad, Senior Manager of the Jaago Foundation.
The children returned to Dhaka the same evening, their hearts full of joy and their minds brimming with inspiration.
Novoair, one of the country's leading private airlines, operates daily flights from Dhaka to Cox's Bazar, Chattogram, Saidpur, Jashore, Sylhet, and Rajshahi.
Through this initiative, the airline proved that a little kindness could make a big difference in shaping young lives.
