Three Global Relief Trust (GRT) volunteers spent 48 hours living rough in Manchester to experience homelessness, and they raised £36,000 along the way.
The screening of their documentary about their experience was held at the Pendulum Hotel in Manchester and was attended by over two hundred people.
Kas, Omar and Ashfaq took on the challenge to raise awareness about the 3.4 million homeless children in Bangladesh. Their documentary is titled: ‘One Weekend, Their Reality’.
Personal trainer Kas said: “I completed the challenge of living homeless and realised what children and their families suffer.
“The whole experience was depressing, but I learned not to judge people,” he said. “I was motivated to do this for the kids in Bangladesh, and the way they’re living. I’d hate to be living like that.
“I felt very vulnerable. I will never forget how quickly my mental health deteriorated.”
30-year-old Omar said about the challenge, “It was extremely hard. There were a lot of different factors, when it was too hot, we couldn’t sleep, when it was too cold, we couldn’t sleep.
“It was definitely dangerous because there are a lot of dodgy dealings going on even at 5 o’clock in the morning.”
Before this challenge, he said he believed that all homeless people take drugs and drink alcohol. Now he has insights into why some people end up on the streets.
He added: “I saw a lot of children in Bangladesh and didn’t just want to raise money, but I wanted to feel what they feel.
“It’s changed me for life and made me grateful for even having access to basic needs,” Omar said. “I learned not to be judgemental and appreciate even going to the sink and drinking water.”
Ashfaq said: “It was a unique experience. I come from a lovely home and live with my family and have food on the table every day and have blankets to keep me warm.
“Going on the streets and really experiencing it was life changing. Not just to see it, but to experience it.
“It was pretty dangerous as we had no phones, no money and no contact with family and friends or even the police.”
He was inspired to campaign for Bangladeshi street children after travelling there for charity work. He heard harrowing stories from children who he said were like his own nephews.
Now he is more grateful and welcoming of homeless people and has “passion and fire” to keep helping Bangladeshi children.
He said he is honoured to be part of the documentary and be a torch to inspire others by doing this experiment and raising awareness and funds.
“I won’t take basic necessities for granted anymore,” he said. “I’ve always been empathic and will do my part a lot more and help people wherever they’re from.”
Afruz Miah, manager at GRT, who is known as ‘Oldham’s Running Man’, said the documentary was produced on a low budget and had attracted support from people across different communities.
“Guests at the screening were from a wide variety backgrounds and age groups,” he said.
He added that the trio will travel to Bangladesh with GRT in November to undertake another homelessness challenge to raise funds for a £1.2 million educational facility and haven for street children.
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