How one New York taxi driver built six schools in Bangladesh
In the bustling streets of New York City, where yellow taxis weave through traffic day and night, one driver’s journey has become a symbol of dedication, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to education.
How one New York taxi driver built six schools in Bangladesh
In the bustling streets of New York City, where yellow taxis weave through traffic day and night, one driver’s journey has become a symbol of dedication, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to education.
For decades, Mosharrof Hossain Khan Chowdhury has been driving cabs in New York, navigating the city that never sleeps. But unlike many who come to the United States chasing the American Dream solely for personal gain, Mosharrof has turned every fare, every long hour behind the wheel, into a step toward uplifting his homeland, Bangladesh.
From Taxi Seats to School Seats
Mosharrof’s story is one of quiet determination. While driving a taxi in one of the world’s busiest cities, he constantly thought of his roots, a rural area where access to quality schooling was limited. Rather than just sending money home for his family’s needs, he invested in something far more enduring: education.
With the income he earned in New York, he established six educational institutions in his native region — a remarkable achievement that has reshaped the academic landscape for countless children. These institutions span from primary levels to higher education, and all are now MPO-included, meaning they receive government support and recognition in Bangladesh.
Among them, one stands out: Mosharrof Hossain Khan Chowdhury University College, a four-story institution that serves as a beacon of hope for students seeking quality higher education without leaving their community.
A Life of Purpose and Perseverance
Despite having limited formal education himself, Mosharrof understood that knowledge is the foundation of progress. His decision to build schools was not born of wealth or privilege, it was born of empathy and vision. Each institution reflects his belief that education can transform lives and break the cycle of poverty for future generations.
His life mirrors the broader immigrant experience: long hours of demanding work, moments of loneliness far from home, and the constant balancing act between survival and ambition. But unlike many stories that end with personal success abroad, Mosharrof’s narrative bridges continents, linking the streets of New York to classrooms in Bangladesh.
More Than a Taxi Driver
Today, students in remote regions of Bangladesh attend schools that stand tall thanks to the sacrifices of a man who once simply drove a taxi. His legacy goes beyond vast brick-and-mortar campuses; it lies in the dreams of young learners, the aspirations of parents who now see a future in education, and in the belief that all it takes to change the world is one determined heart.
In a time when stories of migration often focus on hardship and loss, Mosharrof’s journey shines with hope — reminding us that even a taxi driver can become a nation’s educator, one school at a time.