|| Viqarunnisa Alumni Australia (VAAUS) is a non-profit organization working for diaspora communities across eight Australian territoriesWhen we were young, we all looked forward to growing up. But that excitement slowly fades when the last day of school arrives. After years of sharing the same classrooms, corridors, playgrounds, laughter and little moments, everything becomes a memory as everyone takes a different path. And as the day ends, one question remains- when will we see these familiar faces together again? Or will we ever?For the women who once shared the classrooms of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College, sisterhood was never only about school friendships. Years later, even across different parts of Australia, that connection continued to bring them together. In October 2016, a small group of alumni met over dinner in Sydney to reconnect. That gathering grew into Viqarunnisa Alumni Australia, or VAAUS, officially established in March 2017 and later registered as a charity. As more alumni joined from across Australia, the community grew to eight territories. With that growth came another question: what could they do with the connection they had built?The answer began with simply looking beyond themselves and noticing the challenges around them. One of the first issues that brought this closer to home was domestic violence. Living abroad can sometimes create the impression that women have fewer struggles, but the reality can be very different.This became especially visible during COVID-19, when reports from around the world showed a rise in domestic violence against women. But for the alumni, the issue was not just something they read about. It came close to home when a fellow alumna was kicked out of her home while she was pregnant. After hearing her story, members raised money to support her.Helping her through this difficult time made the alumni realise that immediate support was only one part of the solution. Former President and Advisor of VAAUS, Dr. Suranjana Jennifer, asked, “We are just helping the victims. But is that enough? What about the persons who caused her this damage?” Helping women after violence was important, but preventing such situations in the first place was equally necessary. This thinking led to Change the Story: Men as Champions, creating a space for men to talk openly about domestic violence, understand its impact and reflect on how they can help build safer communities.But creating safer communities also means giving women the chance to rebuild their lives. This led to Her Business, supporting newly migrated women and domestic violence survivors in building skills and financial independence. Former President and Advisor Dr. Mahbuba Khanom Mukta explains, “It is important that women have the skills and confidence to support themselves and build a better future.” Through eight workshops, 12 women received vocational training in areas such as stitching, and today, all of them are employed. The alumni also raised AUD 6,000 to improve shelter homes and their infrastructure, adding another layer of support as women rebuild their lives.As their work continued, the alumni began to see that support was not always about the biggest challenges. Sometimes, it was about everyday needs that could easily go unseen. One of these was menstrual hygiene. Although periods are a normal part of life, basic products are not always accessible to women and girls facing financial difficulties. “Period products are a basic need, and no woman should have to compromise her dignity because she cannot afford them,” says VAAUS General Secretary Reefayat Rownak Echo. This led the community to support Share the Dignity, raising funds to provide period products through schools, public toilets and care hampers.That same understanding of basic needs soon extended to children. The alumni learned that some children were going to school without lunch because their families could not afford it. “We felt we had to do something to make sure no child goes to school hungry.” This led to the Eat Up project. In February 2024, VAAUS raised AUD 2,500 through a morning tea, and 20 volunteers later prepared 1,087 sandwiches in 80 minutes for two public schools.By then, the question of what their connection could do had grown beyond their immediate community in Australia. After years of supporting women and children, the alumni began thinking about the community they grew up in, Bangladesh. Could the same connection that brought them together also help people back home and create opportunities for those who lack access to them?That question found a new expression when current VAAUS President Marium Shams connected with Kishwar Chowdhury, second runner-up of MasterChef Australia Season 13, who shared a similar vision. As a World Vision Australia Ambassador, Kishwar had visited Korail, where children asked her, “Can we be like you?” The question stayed with Marium, highlighting how limited opportunities can shape what young people believe is possible for their future. Over the years, VAAUS has donated a total of around AUD 92,000 to various charities, community organisations and initiatives, supporting causes ranging from women’s empowerment and domestic violence support to children’s welfare, education and community development. Yet for the alumni, supporting communities in Bangladesh remained particularly meaningful. “We wanted to reach and do something for our Bangladeshi community even if it means indirectly,” Marium says. That desire led VAAUS to donate AUD 5,000 to KCC WINGS, supporting 10 young people from Korail through culinary training, mentorship, English education and career pathways. Reflecting on this journey, Marium says, “We believe the vision we started VAAUS with, ‘Beyond Sisterhood,’ will continue to live on through the work we do and the communities we support.”And the connection to Bangladesh does not stop there. VAAUS also extended its support during the 2024 floods and, in 2025, provided benches for students at AIM School Foundation. In September 2026, VAAUS is also supporting AIM Foundation’s Sponsor a Child project, helping provide children with books, pens, pencils and other essential educational materials. From immediate support during a crisis to creating opportunities for young people, these efforts show how the alumni’s connection has continued to reach communities far beyond where they now live.What began with a simple desire to reconnect with old school friends has since grown into something much bigger. From a small gathering in Sydney to a charity connecting alumni across eight territories and beyond Australia, that connection continues to turn into action. For the alumni, growth is not simply about how far the community has spread. It is about how much they can do together, and how far a connection built in school can continue to reach.