Page 93 - 80 YEARS OF VOLUNTEER IMPACT WITH FAO

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Tasneem Kibria

“IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT HUNGER, IT'S ABOUT HOPE.”

From rescuing injured animals as a child to organizing aid for flood-affected
communities, Kibria’s path to becoming a UN Volunteer has always been
guided by empathy and purpose. “I’ve always felt deeply,” she says. “Helping just
felt right.”

Her journey began with Scouts, where service became second nature. That
passion deepened during an international exchange year, she spent weekends
volunteering in women’s shelters and at community events. Inspired by her
father’s love of nature and her mother’s dedication to education, she chose 89
to stay in Bangladesh to give back. “When you lead with purpose, others who
share your values join you,” she reflects.

Today, at FAO Bangladesh, where she works as a UN Volunteer Communications
Officer, Tasneem uses storytelling to bring forth voices that often go unheard.
“I also love creating content that is practical and empowering.” Her video series
on homestead gardening and nutrient-preserving cooking is now helping rural
families improve nutrition and food access.
Tasneem Kibria, UN Volunteer Communications Officer with FAO
in Dhaka. [UNV, 2025]
For Tasneem, food security is personal: she grew up hearing her grandfather’s
stories of farming under harsh conditions and her parents’ memories of
wartime food scarcity. “It’s not just about hunger,” she says. “It’s about dignity,
sustainability and hope.”

“Being a UN Volunteer has taught me the

importance of listening, not just to communities
or colleagues, but also to myself. I have learned to
slow down and really hear what people are saying,

even when it’s not spoken out loud.”