Synthia Tahsin Synthi: Kindness, Courage, and Building Shelter Across Borders

Synthia Tahsin Synthi shared her journey from Bangladesh, where socio-economic challenges for women are significant, to Ireland and Germany. She spoke with vulnerability and conviction, offering powerful stories of struggle and transformation. Her life and work highlight the importance of kindness, resilience, and the right to dream beyond what society prescribes. Her story is also one of cultural contrast—from a male-dominated environment where business was deemed off-limits for someone like her, to international communities that offered belief, support, and possibility.

Raised in Bangladesh, Synthia lost her father at the age of seven. From that moment forward, she, her sister, and her mother faced life on their own, in a society where not having a male figure meant being deprived of both protection and respect. Her father had risen from a small village to become a bank vice president, and his final wishes made clear his priorities: never compromise on his daughters' education, health, or housing. Her mother followed those wishes without fail. Through merit-based scholarships, Synthia and her sister earned entry into Bangladesh’s top institutions. Later, Synthia received her MBA in project management in Ireland, after turning down a spot at Trinity Business School due to financial constraints.

Education, however, was just one part of the journey. Synthia dreamed of becoming a businesswoman—a dream considered “prohibited” for someone like her. As a middle-class woman with no social protection or male guardian, her ambition was seen as radical. Her first attempt to start a business in Bangladesh was met with harsh words and personal attacks, including degrading slurs meant to undermine her dignity. “I believe that spark should not come from negative things,” she said. “But our brain does not forget those words.”

Rather than abandon her goals, she changed countries, not dreams. She moved to Ireland, completed her graduate education, and joined the Founder Institute Germany. Her current venture is OmniHiem, with its first product, Hope Pod—a scalable, eco-conscious shelter for displaced and homeless populations. “There should not be only two paths—nonprofit or profit,” she said. “You can build a company that helps people.” Her vision combines business with impact, designing solutions that support both people and the planet.

Throughout the conversation, Synthia spoke about the deep emotional impact of finally encountering kindness. “You, Janet, Ferdinand, Founder Institute—you gave me trust and time. That was the first real kindness I had seen from people who had nothing to gain.” Her words were so powerful for me. They literally brought tears to my eyes. She noted, “But Amanda, you were the first,” she said. “You showed me what kindness looks like in real life, and it changed everything. When I talk about kindness, I talk about you.” I feel honored to play that role. Her experiences in Ireland and Germany were so different from her upbringing that her mother, upon hearing about them, refused to believe such kindness could be real.

One of the most meaningful stories she shared took place in a government office in Bangladesh. She was alone, navigating complex paperwork, when a man she did not know noticed her. He turned to his son and said, “Go help that girl.” The coincidence? His son was her former colleague. That man would later become her father-in-law-to-be. “He did not know me,” she said. “But he helped.” His act of kindness marked a turning point, and today, he is one of her strongest supporters. “The whole family—my mother-in-law shows so much support. We never expected kindness, because we never saw it. I am so blessed that in this culture; I am going to be part of this kind of family.”

Synthia’s reflections on culture were powerful. In Bangladesh, she said, the business world is brutally male-dominated. Even when women rise through talent and perseverance, they are met with suspicion, harassment, and shame. Male allies often face criticism simply for offering support. In contrast, she described Ireland and Germany as places where kindness, especially toward women in business, was far more normalized. Her stories made clear that cultural context matters deeply when evaluating what is possible and what is needed.

She also spoke about the shortcomings of traditional nonprofit models. Many fail due to lack of funding or structural limitations. She envisions a future where social enterprises are viable, scalable, and able to combine meaningful missions with long-term sustainability. Her approach with OmnieHiem and Hope Pod is a direct reflection of that belief.

Her family plays a big role. Her father planted the seeds for a life built on education and principle. Her mother carried out that vision with discipline and love. Initially fearful of Synthia’s entrepreneurial ambitions, her mother later became her most vocal supporter after seeing her success in a major business competition in Vietnam. That transformation was not just emotional support, it was protection. “My mom now shields me from the criticism of others,” she said. “She is my strongest ally.”

Another key pillar in her journey is her partner, who is also her co-founder at OmniHiem. Synthia shared that in their culture, it is incredibly difficult for men to break away from societal norms and actively support a woman’s ambition. But he does—consistently. “He not only supports me,” she said, “he ensures my vision stays clear at every step.” She added: “We always hear, ‘Behind every successful man, there is a great woman,’ but I believe, ‘Behind every successful woman, there is always a supportive, progressive man.’ Luckily, I have one. I wish one day, in Bangladesh, every man will think and act like him.”

Synthia has now made it her mission to pay kindness forward. She helps others in the ways she was helped, giving time and support with no expectation in return. She wants to be known as someone whose trust and kindness gives others the courage to act. “If someone someday tells me they did something because of my support, then I will know I lived the right way.”

“For me, kindness is another spark for living. It gives you the strength to start again.”

Synthia Tahsin Synthi is a founder, builder, and advocate. Her work speaks for itself and her story speaks for a generation of women rising against the odds, using kindness not only to survive, but to lead. She is an inspiration for the next generation of women who need someone to believe in them. Keep an eye out for more interviews.