1. law, govt and politics
2. legal issues
3. human rights

Annual Report
2009 – 2010
Banchte Shekha
Shaheed Mashiur Rahman Road
Jessore-7400 ; Phone: 0421-68885
E-mail: [email protected]
Message from the Executive Director’s Desk
Banchte Shekha(BS) has carried out another one year: 2009-2010. With this, BS has
completed its 34 years in the arena of women and children development. It was
never and neither an easy task to empower women in the family nor in the society.
BS from its beginning has hoisted its flag to establish human rights and equal justice
for the women in the society. In the early stages it was not so trouble-free a job to
aware women regarding human and women rights. Women were shackled and their
mouths were tied up, they had to tolerate injustice in silence as they had no voice
and decision making power. Whatever and wherever women go injustice go along
with them as they have no education and earning capacity which gives the source to
stand against all atrocities and injustice of the society.
Keeping all those things in mind, BS from its very beginning tried to provide
education and skill to the poor and deprived women to become self supported and
reliant. From our experience we have seen women are disregarded and neglected if
they are not involved with money, skill and technology related activities.
In this year some of the new activities have been added to the project lists.
Education and Health projects have very important role in BS. On the organizational
strength side, BS has strategic plan, gender policy, personnel policy, accounts
manual, well and efficient Governing Body and experienced project staff.
We are grateful to Government, Donors and International NGOs who are supporting
BS’ work for a long time especially to Danida HRGG-PSU for the second phase grant
to activate and functionalize the Village Court and Arbitration Council of the Union
Parishad. Special thanks to The Asia Foundation who are assisting BS for a long time
of nearly twenty years. We express our heartfelt gratitude to Manuser Janno
Foundation, Oxfam-GB, Amader Gram, Liliane Foundation, IOM, Flood Hazard
Resource Center and IDEA-Itally, Vannozza Bellaseta for their kind and continuous
support.
Angela Gomes
Founder and Executive Director
Banchte Shekha is one of the largest women and children organizations in the
southern part of Bangladesh based in Jessore working since 1976 to improve the
socio-economic condition of women in the region with a long-term objective to
empower women and reduce poverty in the depressed areas for the disadvantage
people particularly vulnerable women.
Banchte Shekha started her activities from Jessore that is the southwest part of
Bangladesh near the Indian Border. 9 area offices, 03 unit offices and 4 project
offices situated in Jessore, Khulna, Jhenaidah, Kusthia, Narail and Gazipur districts of
Bangladesh are used by Banchte Shekha to serve its beneficiaries and deliver
programmes effectively.
Over the 34 years Banchte Shekha has been reorganized as a key player in liberating
and empowering the women of Bangladesh are attracting many visitors from
organizations around the world, interested in seeing the work and impact of
Banchte Shekha’s work.
From the inception of Banchte Shekha, she aims to improve the socio-economic
condition of her beneficiaries in the working area especially to establish the women
and child rights. She performed for a positive change likely economical, cultural,
women empowerment, human rights establishment by facing different types of
challenges and risks including prolonged conflict, confrontation, natural disaster,
social trend and tendencies, fundamentalism etc. In this connection she set up a
target of components including Community Mobilization and Institutional
Strengthening, Income Generating Activities, Health Hygiene and Nutrition,
Education. In every component, she had a good achievement and success finding
better scope of work opportunities in her working area among other success
providers. She had a long experience in implementing these components both in
rural and urban area including most high-risk slums of Bangladesh.
Established in 1976 it has grown to serve more than 300,000 women in Khulna,
Rangpur, Barishal and Dhaka division, indirectly more than 15 lacs people are being
benefited by Banchte Shekha’s programmes. The organization is registered with the
Department of Social Welfare and under the Foreign Donations (Voluntary)
Regulation Act. It has also embodied with Joint Stock under Company’s Registration
Act.
Vision of the organization
A society, which fulfils the fundamental demands of the poor women and children,
in which social harmony, peace, justice and ecological balance prevail
Mission
Banchte Shekha will bring about an improved quality of life for the poor women and
children in the social and economic sphere. Especially by using awareness
techniques to empower the beneficiaries with the skills to survive and to assist them
to access their legal and democratic rights.
Goal
Develop society where the basic rights of women and children are established
Banchte Shekha Beneficiaries
Banchte Shekha works with the most venerable groups of the population; these
include poor rural women, slum urban dwellers, hardcore poor, street children and
disabled girls. Essentially their poverty is described as “Poor” and ‘Hardcore Poor”
on the basis of income, assets and welfare condition.
Banchte Shekhas’ Working Methodology
Banchte Shekha believes in a holistic approach to development, intervention
programmes address the immediate needs as well as ensuring future sustainability
of the development. Programmes utilise a combination of activities from the core
development areas, Social & Human Rights development, Economic development
and Welfare development in meeting beneficiary needs. Singular application of
development areas is not successful, since Human Rights Education given to Women
who are under nourished, diseased or physically abused is not likely to be
assimilated if their minds are over burdened with the tortures of daily life.
Banchte Shekha practices Group Based Development approach to reach its target
group. Through workshops and seminars the groups identify their problems and
assess their needs in a supportive environment provided by trained Banchte Shekha
facilitators. The information collected forms the bases of intervention programmes
designed. Regular group meetings, seminars and workshops play a significant role
in group development. Groups meet fortnightly for savings mobilisation and
capacity building. After this training activities and access to IGA activities group
members are provided Micro-Credit for attaining self-sufficiency and reliance.
The “Group Based Development” focuses on:
 Group forming
 Build up Social and Human Rights awareness
 Awareness building on Welfare and Economic development issues
 Build up leadership and management capacity of group members
A. Human Rights
1. Access to Justice and Human Rights Project
Project Location:
Name of
Name of the
the
Upozilla
District
Jessore
Jessore Sadar
Monirampur
Magura
Keshobpur
Magura Sadar
Shalikha
No. /Name of Union
Kachua, Basundia, Upo Sahar, Narendrapur
Chaluahati,
Shymkur,
Khedapara,Jhapa,
Khanpur, Dhakuria, Haridaspur, Hariharnagar,
Monirampur, Nehalpur, Kultia, Monoharpur,
Mossimnagar, Durbadanga
Pajia
Baroil Polita, Bogia, Hazrapur, Jogdal, Mogi
Raghob Daar
Shatakhali, Talkhori, Arpara, Shalikha, Bunagati,
Dhaneswargati, Gangrampur
Project Context
In Bangladesh the local governments are empowered to dispense justice through
the Village Court (VC) under Village Court Act and Arbitration Council (AC) and the
Muslim Family Law Ordinance 1961. The Village Court Act entrusts the Union
Parishad with the power to constitute Village Court to resolve petty civil and
criminal disputes. Accordingly Muslim Family Law Ordinance 1961 (MFLO) has also
entrusted the UPs to deal with some family matters by constituting Arbitration
Councils.
UPs are facing some difficulties to make the local judicial system functional and
effective for the people, due to inadequate knowledge, resources and skills for
strengthening and activating AC and VC. Local Elected Bodies of Local Government
are not able to perform their responsibilities in the matter for the above reasons.
The main target of the project will be the disadvantage people particularly women
primarily and other stakeholders, such as UP representative, village elites, women
leader’s, lawyers,, judicial officials, law enforcing agency, journalists, media people’s
and NGO activists are the secondary stakeholders.
Goal:
A Society where disadvantaged and marginalized people (especially women) have
access to justice
Objectives:
a. Increased accountability of duty bearers at all level.
b. Empowered disadvantaged people (especially women) and local institutions
for defending the rights violations
c. Effective local formal judiciary systems are well functioned
Project Outputs
 Gaps and limitations have been identified within the procedural complicacy
on family law and dowry, AC/VC law and procedure.
 Advocacy strategy has been developed
 Initiatives has been taken to remove identified gaps on Family laws, AC/VC
laws and procedure
 Capacity of the CBO members has been developed
 Mass people, UP, civil society organizations, local media has been Mobilized
and sensitized on ADR, VC and AC
 Court case support has been provided to the clients.
 Pending and disposed cases have been followed up
 Required supports have been provided to Judicial and Law enforcing
agencies, Panel lawyers, Advocates and clerks
 Institutional capacity of MLAA & BS has been strengthened
Justification of the project:
“Access to Justice and Human Rights,” Phase-ii project has implemented the
activities in a situation, where the formal legal systems are to some extent urban
based, gender biased, time consuming and expensive, on the other hand, the poor,
illiterate and disadvantaged people, particularly who are living in the rural areas,
are suffering injustice in silence. The project identified the dormant Judicial System
under the local government and the informal mediation process as an alternative,
sustainable and cost effective approach to cover the huge requirement of legal
assistance among the disadvantaged people, particularly women.
Through these project, the following issues to be stressed:
 Arbitration Council (AC) & Village Court (VC), the Judicial System of
Local Government: It is found that the UP Representatives are highly
involved in various activities, and still giving less time in the AC/VC activities.
On the other hand, as they have to involve with the local electoral process,
they are very careful in their judgment for ensuring that no negative impacts
could create on their future voting. Support and initiatives of local



administration is a fundamental requirement to make effective local judicial
system.
Free Legal Aid-Ensure access to formal judiciary system: Access to formal
judicial system is very complex and time consuming, where most of the poor
people are denied to get justice and also environment of the court is not in
favour of the poor, particularly for the women. Considering these odds, BS
have been providing free legal aid service to the poor, especially to the
women, children and the minority groups to establish their legal rights
within the legal and justice system.
Policy Influence is required to make the formal and informal judicial
systems accessible for the disadvantaged people, particularly women:
BS realized that influence from the policy level work well for reforming the
negative aspects of existing legal system and procedures of the formal and
informal judicial system.
Salish systems became subject to exploitation: It was found that the
traditional Salish system are at the hands of the powerful elites, who used
their positions to enforce discriminatory practices to maintain the status quo
and local patronage
Stakeholders:
Primary Stakeholders: Vulnerable women and children of the society who are
suppressed, oppressed and are deprived from their rights.
Indirect stakeholders: Members of the locally elected bodies, local elites and NGO
officials, officials of the GoB administration, Judiciary, Law Enforcement Agencies,
Public Prosecutors, Lawyers and Community people.
 Courtyard Meeting with household members on AC, VC and Mediation:
Courtyard meeting aims at creating awareness about the VC, AC and mediation
among the general village women and their accesses to different service
providing institutions. It also describes the assistances the project provides and
for their problems people would go to VC, AC, mediation and formal court for
solution. Union Organizer arranges meetings. In every month each organizer
arranges 3 such meetings for 2 hours. The sitting place was decided to be a
courtyard of a house in a convenient place. BS arranged 1394 courtyards
meeting during this project period and the total number of the participant were
20901.
 Ward CBO meeting on AC, VC and Mediation:
Ward CBO meeting is key to success of the project. The aim of this activity is
create social peace through resolving problems by mediation following the laws
and human rights issues. Through these meetings CBO members take part in
selecting the problems and participate in the decision making process. These
institutions also help raising the consciousness of people. During this nine
months BS has arranged 1265 CBO meetings which participants were 20794.

Quarterly Coordination Meeting with CBO members & social elites on
AC, VC & mediation:
Central CBO members are the representatives from the ward CBOs and local elites.
They are coordinating CBO of the other ward CBOs and plays important role in
mediating local problems on different issues if the two neighboring ward CBOs fail
to solve the problem. The aim of this meeting is activate the village court and
arbitration council through active participation of the central CBO members. C
Meeting: 84, participants: 1117.

Union level meeting with CBO Members & social elites on AC, VC and
Mediation
The purpose of the meeting taking the representation from the Union parishad,
CBO members and local elites is to raise awareness about the village court and
arbitration council and to make them responsive to the solutions of the local
problems. Laws related to the village court and systems were discussed in the
meeting aiming to increase the knowledge and experience of the people in the
aid of the problem solution. During these period BS arranged total number of
union meeting 36 and participants were 2609 in the union level spacing the time
half a day and sitting place was in the middle or in the convenient place of the
union.
 Experience Sharing Meeting on AC, VC and Mediation:
Through these activities experiences of the trained members of the Union
Parishad are shared with other people in view to increase the knowledge of the
 Street Drama on VC, AC and Mediation
BS uses different tools to create awareness among people and street drama is the tool to
create awareness. Through this activity, BS tries to provide information on the available
assistances Uion Parishad provides and helps to take decisions to go to the VC and AC.
During this Period BS arranged 37 stage dramas fixing the time 1 hours and the stage would
be in an open place on the union. The number of audiences was about 51300.
 Campaigning on VC, AC and Mediation
The purpose of the campaign is to create the eagerness and awareness of the people
about VC and AC and mediation. For this, mikes are used for two days to provide
information on VC and AC. The village people took part in the rally and lastly posters of
VC and AC were demonstrated. No of Campaign were held during this time was 32 and
population was 16310.
 Update & Develop Leaflet
During this period BS has published 15000 leaflets to use it to increase the awareness
on AC, VC and mediation of the local people especially women.
 Booklet on AC,VC and Mediation
The Access to Justice and Human Rights Project of BS has published 5000 copies of
booklet naming “VC and AC Handout” to use it as a training and learning material.
 Human Rights Workshop for Madrasa Students
Through this project BS has arranged workshops for Madrasa Stuents in a view to
educating them with the human rights and Muslim Familial Law and how the Muslim
family law is contributing towards establishing human rights in the society and peace in
the family. The purpose of the workshop is to raise awareness among the student and to
change their attitudes towards a modern and democratic society. Number of
workshops were 15 and the participants were 1021.
 Dispute Resolution through Village Court
Achievement: As the field has been created and people have understood the
benefits of local justice system, people are coming more and more in number to
the village court. The purpose of this activity is to help Union Parisad in
activating the Village Court and to ensure receiving the right justice for the poor
people especially women and children. Total number of VC disposed 660.
 Dispute Resolution through AC
The government of Bangladesh has conferred The Union Parishad to resolve the
problems related with divorce, polygamy and maintenance under “The Arbitration
Council Ordinance-1961 and 2006.” Though the laws have been enacted for a long
time still Union Parishad has not been able to functionalize the court fully because of
shortage of manpower, lack of supervision from the govt, lack of knowledge regarding
the Arbitration Council about its method and procedures which detracts people to
come to the Arbitration Council. The purpose of this activity is to help Union Parisad in
activating the Arbitration Council and to ensure receiving the right justice for the poor
people especially women and children under the Muslim Family Law.
BS believes if the laws of the court are activated, people can get their problems solved
easily, timely and cheaply. For this reason, BS is working from 1 July 2008 in the two
Districts of Jessore and Magura to functionalize the Arbitration Council. One Field
Organizer is employed in the union level to implement the projected activities. To
enact the laws of the Arbitration Council, representatives of the Union Parishad and
local elites were trained up. 207 cases were solved through Arbitration Council.

Dispute Resolution through Mediation
Dispute resolution is the key development area of the project through which
poor and marginalized people get their problems solved and benefits received.
Salish has created the way to resolve the problems locally avoiding the long
process of the court, loss of money and other critical phases they have to suffer.
Through it characteristics, mediation has become a non biased, non partisan and
democratic process which have helped gain both parties enjoy win-win situation.
1879 problems were solved through mediation.
 Provide Court Case Support:
Through this project poor and victimized women can seek judgment of
the unresolved problems from the higher courts through the help of the
project’s panel lawyers. BS bears all the expenses of cases and does the
necessary procedures for the complaints. 7 cases were disposed out of
47.
 Follow-up of Court Cases
Through the project activities poor and disadvantaged women are getting legal
support and a follow-up mechanism was in place to look after the court cases.
Number of disposed cases was 7 and the total pending cases were 40.

Basic Training on AC, VC, Mediation, laws and documentation for Union
Organizers
BS provides training to its Union Organizers aiming to orient them with the
activities they will implement in the field. Through training they received the
knowledge on AC, VC and mediation to functionalize the AC and VC. Apart from
this, this training helps them learn how they will communicate with different
stake holders and the motivating capacity to ignite people to be supportive to
the project especially in favor of the poor people. Awareness raising the key
component of the project can be initiated and addressed by them with the
knowledge they achieved from the training. Total staff trained on 36.

Basic and Refreshers Training for Union Parishad Representatives on
AC, VC, Mediation laws
The objective of the training is to increase the working skill and knowledge in
aim to mitigate the problems of AC and VC in a better way with a sound
knowledge. MLLA, the leading partner of the project provided the training on AC
and VC for the UP representatives in Madaripur. In the training courses elected
UP chairman and secretaries were trained. Training courses were 8 and the
number of the participants were 193 and the duration of the training course was
2 two days.
 Workshop on Program Operation
A workshop on program operation was held in Banchte Shekha to highlight the
project aims, goals, project activities and its working strategies among the different
stakeholders of the project. As the project is working with Village Court and
Arbitration Council and mediation, BS sought assistances from the local
administration, Union Parishad representatives and local elites. 13 participants
were participated in the workshop

Basic and Refreshers Training for Central CBO members on AC, VC and
Mediation laws
Central CBO members are the representatives from the ward CBOs and local elites.
They are coordinating the other ward CBOs and plays important role in
implementing and mediating local problems on different issues. This training will
help the Central CBO members learn the key issues of AC, VC and mediation. In the
case of mediation that they have a greater role to play to mediate the problems
fairly and without affecting others. Through this training they will know what are
the roles and duties of the central CBO members in restoring social peace and
harmony. The number of course was 6 and the total participants were 142.
 Basic Training Human Rights and Family laws for the Madrasa Teacher
BS arranged a training course for the Madrasha Teachers during this projected time.
The training outlines the human rights and Muslim family law and how both law
compliments each other. 1 Madrasa workshop was held and the total participants
were 22.
2. Community Initiatives to Reduce Violence Against Women
(CIRVAW) project
Space for Community Involvement:
‘A vibrant community can change & make their world possible’ was the main
passion of the project of Banchte Shekha a leading NGO of Bangladesh. There was so
much need to reach out to the women, to empower them and give them hope that
they can do anything they like and need. In this context the project tried to form
pressure groups within the community to discourse violence against women.
Not only that the project also created opportunities for the community to plan their
own programs, and in that way the community began to own the project. The
project is flexible enough to accommodate the wishes of the community. One
outcome of serious community engagement is that people enjoy a sense of
ownership. They feel that a project is theirs, and they are responsible for its success.
The project believes that a change that emanates from within will be more
permanent.
Encourage Change from Within
Banchte Shekha has started its journey with Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF)
to change attitude and behavior at different levels of society to contribute to
improve the quality of life of oppressed and disadvantaged women. The
objective of this project is not being to impose a new value system or way of
operating on a community. Rather, it is offering people an opportunity to think
critically about what they are doing and why, thereby fostering change from
within and with an expectation that by 2010 women will be empowered
through leadership and taking part in decision making at family &
community level in 19 unions of five Upazillas’ under Jessore, Narail and
Gazipur district. Ninety four ‘women empowerment and rights establishment
committee’ members are representing from unprivileged community people,
religious minority communities and most vulnerable groups of local community.
Initiating and building support for action to combat violence against women, the
project has been able to form 19 Community Based Organizations (CBOs). The
1st phase of the project was started in August 2003 for three years; the 2nd phase
was started from August 2006 for another three years with 242, 907, 44. 00
financial involvement for 4090 direct 40900 indirect development associates
(benefited groups). Finally the two phases have ended on 31 July, 2009. Being a
successful project, 3rd phase has started from 1 October, 2009.
A rally paraded in the important roads in Narail to mark the Human Rights day organized by Banchte
Shekha
Adopt Right based approach and strengthening community initiatives:
Empowering women and community to claim their rights are helping sustain efforts
to combat violence against women is the main intervention of the project, which is
titled “Community Initiatives to Reduce Violence against Women”. Where an abused
marginalized/oppressed woman are coming to know that she is entitled to quality
medical cares, counseling and legal services, as well as to employment and income
to reintegrate her in the society. Cultural, social, economical and sometimes political
factors contribute to violence against women; considering the all- project has given
priority on empowerment of the community through right based approach has
proved an effective strategy in addressing it.
This approach can be justified in terms of the costs and consequences of violence to
women’s health, income, social acceptance, firm on decision, access to govt.
resources, and increased dignity.
A view of CBO meeting in Gacha UP in Gazipur district.JPG
Community based organizations (CBOs) and Women empowerment and Rights
Protection Committees has carried out advocacy and awareness-raising activities to
end violence against women and bring about positive change at the Hindu family
and overall community level. Policy and decision makers at the local and highest
levels of government are also targeted for enact the Hindu Marriage registration and
divorce act. With the expectation of that such change will help to create a more
supportive environment for improvements in the mental & social health of women
and the realization of their rights.
The project is trying to sensitizing husbands and in-laws on the adverse physical,
mental and social consequences of violence against women and empowering
women in decision-making roles within the family & community. Through creating
pressure groups named Empowerment committee in the community to advocate
against domestic violence
Community Based Organizations (CBO) are trying successfully to identify and collect
information about the incidents of violence against women and children happened
in their area through Women Empowerment Committee and providing legal
supports in terms of both informal and formal settings. 19 CBOs has been formed
and registered with district women affairs department the project is facilitating
these CBOs to address VAW and strengthening their capacity.
A view of DFID team visit in Narail.JPG
Strong community movement can achieve many things:
The project is trying to create the growing visibility and awareness of violence
against women, its causes and suffering of women, their families and in society at
large.
Community pursues Banchte Shekha to take the advocacy program for creating a
positive environment to make Hindu Marriage Registration Law. In this regard, BS
has already been able to raise a voice in favor of the law among Hindu community as
well as local influential persons both in government and community level. Already
2700 people from Narail district signed in favor of this law and handover a
memorandum to local MP (last government) gave commitment to bring a bill in the
Parliament. A total of 108 Hindu marriages have been registered notary public, UP
or in symbolic paper. The civil society members, leaders from Hindu community,
national media, national and international development organizations, law minister
are aware about the law and feeling a positive sense to be a law in the country.
A view of discussion session on women day, MP, DC and other guests
The project has given highest efforts to build leaderships capabilities of both women
empowerment committee members and CBOs members. A comprehensive
leadership has been developing among both women empowerment committees and
CBOs members. Nineteen (19) CBOs gained social reputation in terms of managing
and solving different types of problems related to women and children violence.
Negotiation and bargaining skills also have developed, so that they could
communicate with government authorities and informal community leaders. CBOs
and Women Empowerment committee the project was able to settle marriages
without dowry and protect early marriages in different locations of the project.
BS had made a significant progress in fostering collaboration and networking with
different government and non-government institutions, with local government, civil
societies, NGOs, Medias, as well as powerful individuals to address rights based
issues of women and children.
Violence affected women get justice from court. Doctors from government hospital
help children to well inform about their different complex issues related to their
health issue. Up members are assisting the Women Empowerment committee
members to organize Alternative Dispute Resolution sessions.
DD of social welfare department is delivering their services to the participants in Gazipur.JPG
The village committee and union based CBO solved number of 241 cases out of
364 received cases by counseling, ADR and court cases. By the taken of different
initiatives a good number of deprived children are getting access to education
institutions.
Thana level Police officers and Superintendent of Polices are showing positive
attitude towards CBOS members and Women Empowerment Committee members.
District and Upazilla administration are listening the VAW related problems and
cost-consequences during the monthly meeting. Media are very cooperative to
publish the VAW information at local daily news paper.
Nineteen (19) CBOs have already been registered with Women Affairs department
and rests of. Women affairs department monitor the CBOS activities and giving
financial support/ grants for income generating activities.
Human Chain to observe the HR day in Narail
With the initiatives of village committee, CBOs and projects the target
participants have received 334 services from UP, educational institutions,
health department, thana, district legal aid committee, women affairs
department, social welfare department, media.
Acceptance of women leadership reflects a positive impact on women’s mobility,
work opportunity, access to shalish, and increase participation in decision making at
family and community level. CBOS members are getting capacity to make capable
enough to maintain the official procedures and 94 women empowerment committee
has deposited 17,00,000.00 for registration and IGA by their own.
Guardians of 300 hundred families in Gazipur district have been taken oath on the
issue ‘not to take dowry nor give dower and promise to stop early marriage.’ District
and Session Judge and Additional District Magistrate of Gazipur district recite the
oath in two separate gatherings in the district council hall room.
Through the project, BS has achieved a remarkable success in awareness rising if we
compare only the following issuesIssue
Primary Concept on Rights (Human, Women, Child
rights) about (%)
Domestic violence against women (By Husbands,
Father/Mother/Sister/ Brother-in- Law and other
relatives) about (%)
Domestic violence against women (By Husbands,
Father/Mother/Sister/ Brother-in- Law and other
relatives) about (%)
Harassments (Dowry, Maintenance, Divorce, Early
Marriage, Polygamy, Abduction, Rape etc.)
Base line
status
(2003)
4.26%
Present
status
(2010)
70%
68.1%
15%
68.1%
15%
182
45
The CBOs member, UP member and chairmen opined that before starting the
project there exist wage discrimination in the project area. The data shows as
bellowsDuration
October,
2003
March, 2010
Sex wise labor cost
per day
Male
Female
Tk.100
Tk.60
Discriminati
on rate
BDT.
%
Tk.40
40%
Reducing
rate
BDT. %
0%
Tk.150
Tk.20
Tk.20
Tk.130
30%
Remarks
50%
After starting the project, the women movement and access has increased in using
family assets, societal assets as well as GO/NGO services.
MP Zahaid Ahsan Rasel and DC lead the rally of
international women day in Gazipur
Positive Changes of poverty dimensions
Most of the Community people had to face different forms of violence (dowry,
divorce, early marriage, torture, rape, trafficking etc), they had no proper access to
the various formal and informal institutions, and they had no option to get justice.
Due to various constraints imposed from both external and internal sources women
and children in the project areas had been going to lose their self-identity as a
human being. The project is right based focused and not directly linked with poverty
focused dimension but due to being establish rights it has been occurring significant
impacts on poverty reductions process. There are two types changes are prominent
in relations to poverty dimensions where one is economic strength (savings &
reduce external cost) and another is social empowerment issue. Involving with this
project disadvantage women have gained ability to demand their legal rights by the
help of the CBOs, women empowerment committee and supportive groups.
Harness the energy of local initiatives (lesson learnt)
Women’s empowerment and the development of their capabilities are closely
related to their economic self-sufficiency.
An effective legal framework is a precondition for ending violence against women. It
enables government to generate the policies and protocols needed to ensure a
coordinated approach to solving the problem.
Rally on marking the day for the elimination of violence
against women in Narail
Community needs to be strong; communities have to know their target and what
they want to achieve and listen to the wider community. Shelter for the violence
affected women and girl is essential to address the properly. Ownership sense of the
community to the project is the main strength of the project for sustainability. A
positive attitude and behavior towards women and children has grown among the
male dominance segment.
Prevention and Protection of Human Trafficking in
Bangladesh
3.
Bangladesh is a source and transit country for mem, women and children trafficked
for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation. Children – both
girls and boys are trafficked internally for commercial sexual exploitation, bonded
labor and other forms of forced labor. Estimates from UNICEF and other source
suggest that 10,000 and 29000 children exploited in prostitution in Bangladesh.
Some children are sold into bondage by their parents, while others are coerced into
labor or commercial sexual exploitation through fraud and physical coercion.
Bangladesh does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination
of trafficking; however it is making significant efforts to do so.
Objective of the Project:
The overall objective is to address trafficking in children, adolescent girls and
women in Bangladesh through coordinated and integrated interventions. The
project goal is “Human trafficking situation improved in Bangladesh
Expected Results:
 Trafficking in children, adolescent girls and women reduced
 Public awareness on counter trafficking developed
Major Components of the project:
Prevention:
 Campaign and advocacy
 Raise awareness of the general people as well as specific targeted groups
 Assist in creating income generation opportunities for vulnerable people
Protection:
 Reduce the veniality for children, adolescent girls and women through
livelihood options for economic empowerment and sustainability
 Provide support t the survivors of trafficking for their reintegration in the
society/family
Capacity Building:
 Engage NGO network for integrated and coordinated interventions to build
the capacity of the grassroots
4. Pilot Community Justice Project
Background of the project
Banchte Shekha has started a pilot project to support community oriented policing
program through the assistance of The Asia Foundation (TAF). Successful pilot
activities will serve as models for replication on an expanded scale. The pilot
activities include a combination of baseline research on present relations between
police and communities in the program relations, joint development of community
policing activities by police and community members and documentation of the
pilot project initiatives to measure the benefits that they bring and other lessons
learned - with a view to successful replication of working relations and program
activities in other communities.
Project baseline research methodology will be followed based on the experiences of
Banchte Shekha in a variety of development initiatives in Bangladesh which
indicates that program activities should ideally be designed on the basis of a clear
understanding in the perspectives of all local stakeholders. In the context of
community policing, it is important for police to understand and take account of the
views and expectations of the citizens that they serve, and for communities in turn
understand the financial and human resource constraints and other challenges that
police face in performing their duties. This shared understanding has made possible
the joint development of program strategies by police and members of the
community, including local religious and secular leaders, businesspersons,
representatives of women’s organizations and other interest groups.
The baseline research methodology followed by BS with technical inputs from Asia
Foundation program staff and resource persons includes a combination of
qualitative research (including individual interviews with police officers and
citizens), focus group discussions, and select use of quantitative survey instruments.
BS, which will in turn draw on the collaborative efforts the police and civil society
organization administer the research with experience in community legal service
delivery and dispute resolution.
The baseline research is intended to gather, document, and analyze information
regarding: present relations between police and communities, the nature and source
of tensions or misunderstandings that characterize relationships between police
and community; and the perceptions and expectations of citizens and police officers
regarding their respective roles as recipients and providers of security, law
enforcement, and related services. The findings and recommendations of the
baseline research will be shared with the police, communities, and civil society
organizations that served as key respondents for the research to invite their
response, feedback, and affirmation of the validity of the findings. The findings and
recommendations will help design and implementation of community policing
programs. The design, implementation, and monitoring of community policing
programs will again be undertaken as a collaborative initiative involving police and
citizens.
Goal:
“To create of a sense of joint responsibility and a joint capacity for addressing crime,
service delivery, and safety and security amongst members of the community and
the Police.”
Objectives of the project:
Objective of community policing is to establish an active partnership between the
police and the community through which crime, service delivery, and policecommunity relations can jointly be analyzed and appropriate solutions designed
and implemented. This relationship requires that police should consciously strive to
create an atmosphere in which potential community partners are willing and able to
cooperate with the police, while community partners are in turn willing to engage in
good faith discussions with the police and to understand and take account of the
challenges that they face
Working Area
Intervention: Jessore Sadar Thana’s 05 Unions and Pourasava
Result area: 8
SL.no
District Upozila
Unions
Result area
/pourosava
1.
Jessore Jessore sadar ChuramanKati
3 no ward
2.
Deara union
5 no ward
3.
Lebutala
3 no ward
4.
5.
6.
Echali
Narendropur
Jessore
pourosava
5 no ward
6 no ward
3,5,9 no ward
Project Activities
House hold information collection
 Information collection format development.
 Orientation training on Information collection.
 Information collection.
 Prepare Database.
Meeting
 CCPF (Central Community Police Forum) meeting 02 (One meeting in every
six Month)
 UCPF (Union Community Police Forum) meeting 04 (One meeting every
after three Month)

Monthly WCPF (Ward Community Police Forum) meeting.
 Monthly staff co ordination meeting.
Education Activities:
 Motivational Workshop on conceptualization of project issue with different
Stakeholders
 Joint Workshop with general people and local police
 School-based programs that introduce the concept of community policing to
local
 Secondary schools and collages.
 Staff exposure visit
Education Support Activities
 Two Leaflet for public education on community policing.
 Production and dissemination of poster and sticker (one +tow) that highlight
the
Core Values of community policing.
 Hand out on WCPF guideline
 Street theater
 Community policing information both
 Sports Activities
Training Activity:
 Training for WCPF members on community policing form management
 Training for Local Police on community Oriented policing (COP)
 Training for community policing information both volunteers.
Publicity:
 Bill board
 Media articles (Community policing columns in local and newspapers on
program basis)
 Milking.
Advocacy:
 Advocacy for relationship building with local administration and general people.
5.
Legal Aid(ADR)
The activity of this project is to lead a counter argument against the superstitious rural
traditional structure. Under this project more emphasis has been given in mediation system
to solve the social problems. The overall goal of this project is to prompt more accessible
and equitable justice. Especially for the women, BS is trying to improve the quality of
mediation system and established ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) techniques in the
rural areas. The ADR Committee consists of eleven members of which four are male and
seven are female. Through the mediation project, BS and BS’s partner organizations help to
resolve the rural women’s problems are transferring mediation techniques to the village
level.
The Constitution of Bangladesh upholds promises of gender equality and prohibits genderbased discrimination. Currently these rights are barely implemented. Laws including
personal laws which governs rights within family including inheritance remain in force that
discriminates against women. Violence against women by the state, within the community
and family is pervasive. Gender bias within the civil and public administration is a
consequent of failure to reform discriminatory laws or the realization of women's human
rights. Lack of awareness among the public in particular women, of their fundamental rights
including education, health and skill for economic activities, available remedies, and the
means to access such remedies further compounds the difficulties.
In order to ensure effective access to social activities for women in Bangladesh, it is
essential to address each of these specific obstacles. The project emerges out of Banchte
Shekha's previous activities on providing access for women, to identify these obstacles and
constraints and tested means of redress.
The organization's previous activities included providing regular and direct intervention in
different villages, and through the social, economic and training programs provided to local
people. As a consequence of increasing trust and confidence building, Banchte Shekha has
been able to overcome resistance from within the community and to ensure women's
participation in decision at many different levels, and thus to contribute to improving the
equality of life. For example, it now routinely assists the local community to conduct
shalishes in which women act as mediators (shalishkars), a major breakthrough in a highly
hierarchical and gender-stratified rural society.
Through its own network with 35 partner organizations throughout the country, each of
them received mediation training from Banchte Shekha, helped to set up similar programs
throughout the country. Through its links with national legal aid networks, the organization
also makes referrals in case in which legal action is required and provides support to
women litigants in preparing for legal proceedings.
Project Goal
Improve the awareness level of women to assist them to identify the causes of women’s
subjection’s, suppression and injustice and to improve the quality of justice through
alternative dispute resolution.
Objectives
In this context, Banchte Shekha aims to undertake activities to address the constraints to
women's access to justice and to secure their fundamental human rights through the formal
legal system, and through alternative dispute resolution.
 Deliver human rights education in a participatory method.

Encourage women to identify the grass root causes of suppression and injustice.
 Secure women’s fundamental human rights through alternative dispute resolution
and formal legal system.

Improve the quality of alternative dispute resolution (ADR)
 Replicate ADR model all over the country through partnership
It will focus on the following results and outcome:
 Increasing public awareness, particularly among women of their rights and
available remedies, and among law enforcement agencies of their responsibility to
ensure gender-sensitive dispensation of justice
 Ensuring that existing alternative dispute resolution mechanisms become more
gender-sensitive and include women's increased participation
 Increasing women's access to the legal system in cases of violence or of family
disputes
 Improving women's capacity building measures in order to adopt different IGA
activities.
Activities
 Human rights education
 Improve access to justice through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
 Access to Judicial Remedies
 Capacity building for group members & project staff.
6. Gender Perspectives and Empowerment issue in BS
Gender sensitisation, balancing and mainstreaming is the biggest challenge and
a continuous effort and process. Gender discrimination at the organisational level
and at the programmatic level is very much present in most of the organisations.
Gender Mainstreaming at the organisational level is still a long-term process,
because the application for mainstreaming has been misused misunderstood and
misinterpreted to a large extent. Unless women are not proportionately brought at
the POLICY-MAKING LEVEL in an organisation, Gender balancing and
mainstreaming cannot happen in reality and in a practical term. To most of us,
“Gender” is a word and not a reality. BS with her uniqueness, and as an exceptional
organisation, from her inception basically focused to empower women with a
vision to balance the male dominated society from a very simple and realistic
perspective, for bringing some changes in the unbalanced gender context.
Banchte Shekha is one of the first generation Development Organisation, who
was born in mid 70’s in the most vulnerable and disadvantaged geographical area of
Bangladesh, to deal with the most sensitive issue for creating an enabling
environment and balancing gender to ensure access to basic fundamental rights
for the Citizens, who are denied justice, and seriously discriminated, particularly
women, who are the worst sufferers and victims.
As a Pioneer, BS initiated their programme in early 80’s to deal with this most
complex and sensitive issue in the area for promoting and protecting the Rights
of the disadvantaged and the vulnerable people, particularly women of greater
Jessore District.
In the initial phase, it was not possible to attract ‘Women-Professionals’ at the
management level in a remote district like Jessore with qualified background and
experience, specially because the Right Based Theme at that time was very new, and
sensitive which was a non-traditional approach to involve women at the
Managerial and Policy Making Levels. With all good intentions it was not
practically possible for BS to include women proportionately with men at the
management level.
BS, is committed to include Women Professionals at the Policy Making and
Managerial Levels towards making BS a more ‘Gender Sensitive, effective and
Gender Balanced Organisation”, by giving highest effort to mainstream gender at
the programmatic and at the organisational level to suit with unique local culture,
environment and context as a “Right-based Organisation” with Right-Based
Approach.
BS’s credibility has been recognised nationally and internationally for their
pioneering work and contribution with an attempt to provide access to justice to
the disadvantaged, especially to vulnerable women with an endevour to ensure
Women’s participation at the organisational and programmatic level. Gender
Action Plan and inclusion of Women proportionately in the organisation will be
implemented by phases. Efforts will be given towards Gender Mainstreaming, and
by genuinely translating into practice, which already exists to quite an extent, but
further requires to improvement.
BS is a Right Based Organisation, which is sensitive in nature, and their major
programmatic focus is on the vulnerable women who are their major
stakeholders. For making more Gender Sensitive and Gender Balanced, more
experienced Women Policy Makers and Subject Specialists must be included for
the interest of BS. Considering the practicality, time will be a constrain, but when
the Project Implementation Plan (PIP) will be developed and finalised, BS will
develop an overall Strategic Plan for mainstreaming Gender at the Organisational
and Programmatic Level as a “Cross Cutting Theme”, as a priority area.
Banchte Shekha is far more advanced than any other local organisations in
relation to gender issues. BS has more women staff at the field level, compared to
the Programme and Management Staff, due to Leadership of Banchte Shekha.
The Executive Director of BS, a dedicated woman, who from her own life
experience established herself as a symbol of empowerment through a long
passage of sufferings and oppression. She has been quite conscious about the
overall issue of gender in her own unique practical way to suit her programme in
Banchte Shekha, according to the situation and in the local cultural context, in the
strong male-dominated environment.
Banchte Shekha’s programmatic strategy is “women focused”, particularly for the
“marginalised women” for building minimum harmony and balance between
women and men in the local communities. BS has done remarkable work for women
empowerment, which is widely known and recognised, and is a “model” for other
Development Actors, within the country and internationally.
In BS, at all levels they have efficient women, and particularly more at the field level,
including a strong Gender Balanced Board. BS is one of the rare organisations,
who are genuinely conscious about gender issues, compared to other NGOs
Banchte Shekha in relation to “Gender” is quite advanced and conscious.
Empowerment Issue:
Banchte Shekha(BS) worked for social change by challenging injustice and
inequity in society but not through prolonged conflict and confrontation. BS has
promoted a revolutionary condition for empowerment of women within the
parameters of the society. In particular the organization has tried to assert the
legal and democratic rights of women.
To overcome the lack of institutional supports and to ensure human rights and
social justice for the marginalised people particularly women, Banchte Shekha
introduced ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) system in their working area as
their major strategy for changing the socio-cultural, economic and political
condition. ADR system promotes the accessibility to justice for poor community,
specially women, through participation of community people, where women are
deprived from accessing formal legal justice.
ADR committee consists of 11 members with a composition of 7 female and 4 male.
The committee is different from traditional Shalish where women are also
honorable members. Banchte Shekha provides training on mediation to the
Committee in a gender equitable context. Banchte Shekha is giving effort to break
the long rooted barrier of gender and class through the process of bringing
proportionately marginalised women in the Shalish committee. It has created space
and opportunity for women to play significant and strategic role at community level.
Banchte Shekha acknowledges the capacities of women and promotes for their
socio-economic and political empowerment, and at the same time a process for
strengthening women’s position for greater acceptability in the society for making
space for their voices to be heard which has been one of their major agenda. In
addition, Banchte Shekha provides support for income-generating activities
which are based on traditional women’s handicrafts i.e. Nakshi Kantha and nontraditional activities like fisheries, agriculture for economic empowerment, which
will eventually help to have impact on socio-cultural and political empowerment.
Banchte Shekha (BS) considers Empowerment of Women as a key objective of her
effort. With proper understanding and by analysing the historical dynamics of
the working area, BS has tried to improve the quality of the lives and tried to ensure
establishment of legal and democratic rights of women, for the most vulnerable
group in the society.
The project represented a successful example of a unique process how Banchte
Shekha has established and ensured effective participation of women in different
decision-making process at society and family level, which has helped the women to
a great extent to attain their basic rights in the family and society. The project has
succeeded to create an environment for attaining social justice in its working
areas through applying their unique BS ADR system and by promoting women as
the Community Leaders to initiate and deal with the social and legal issues
confidently for resolving their pertinent problems.
BS’s Women’s empowerment has taken place at three levels. These are Personal,
Relational and Collective.
Personal Empowerment
Involvement of women in the program has increased their self-confidence and selfesteem, which has helped them, to become more assertive, organized and united.
The sense of their confidence building is an indicator of women empowerment,
which is particularly noticed among those women who were the members of the
ADR and has greatly helped in the committee as a Leadership Building Process. In
particular, they had been given the opportunity to attend meetings, training and to
mediate legal process through implementing ADR, which have helped them to deal
with practical situation confidently beyond their traditional position and roles
within their domestic territory. Participation in various training program on
different issues has increased the awareness level on legal right issues and the
activities of different law enforcement agencies.
Relational Empowerment
Especially those women, who have been involved in the program, have changed
their inter-personal relationship with their husbands’ families and communities.
There has been a major shift of attitude of the male members towards the female
members of the family, where women are now involved in decision making in the
financial affairs and with grater freedom of movement and mobility within the
communities.
Collective Empowerment
There were some evidences of collective empowerment among the members of
the ADR committee. The group activities of the ADR Committee have built the
capacity of the women to organize themselves to meet the needs of women in the
society to gain more access to social and political power. The access of women in
different strata has given them a status, reputation and recognition to the
community people in the society and in the family. Community people have
considered ADR as an alternative to the formal judiciary system to resolve the local
and family level disputes. Through ADR, in some cases, the committee has even
succeeded to establish the rights of women on various issues and provided
support to have access to the land.
Many development projects view ‘Empowerment’ only in terms of the
improvement of the quality of practical needs such as, economic improvement,
improved relationship, improved facilities etc. and by ignoring to have access in the
power structure, which has a greater impact on people’s lives. BS has sincerely tried
to address both in practical and strategic needs of women through implementing
the project with a special focus on the overall empowerment of Women.
B. Health
7. Development Program for Physically Disable Children
The disables are the most vulnerable human beings of the society. For their survival
and self-reliance, BS has undertaken a program of rehabilitation and skill
development. The project provides residential rehabilitation and treatment in the
form of physical therapy for the physically disables. The project also provides inhouse skill development training, mainly handicrafts and fast-food makings for the
disabled girls. Banchte Shekha provides marketing support for the goods produced
by the beneficiaries, while they are in the BS center as well as after returning to
their own families.
Objectives



Provide residential rehabilitation and treatment facility for physically
disabled girl children
Provide in-house skill development training, mainly handicrafts
Provide market support
Activities
 Treatment of the disabled patients
 Awareness
 Training

Literacy

Cultural activities
EPI
Banchte Shekha has a fixed Expanded Program of Immunization of government. In
this center the dropped out children are immunized. This center sits twice in a week.
An immunization worker immunized children on the scheduled days.
MCH:
BS health workers and physiotherapists aware new and pregnant mothers about the
primary health cares. They also provide anti natal and post natal cares to the
mothers. They also suggest about the nutritional aspects for the mothers and
children.
Breast Care Program
In Bangladesh (population 150 million), as in many low-income countries, only the
privileged receive any useful treatment for cancer. In this South Asian country, barriers to
optimal cancer care include poverty, mis-information and myths operating within culture
traditions which ill-serve women, gender discrimination, limited sub-optimally functioning
health systems, political upheaval. These barriers result in very poor health care for women.
At any time Bangladesh there are an estimated 2,00,000 women suffering from breast
cancer, and 40,000 new cases develop annually. However, fewer than 20% of Bangladeshi
women who develop breast cancer get care in operable, curable stages.
Project Objectives
The objectives of the program are:
 Create awareness among the community people about the breast cancer
 Development of a multi disciplinary breast care center for counseling and
advice
 Screening of the women for detection of breast problem
 Problem solving support of selected patient
When, Where & How
The breast problem clinic is held one day per week in private examination room to
the Banchte Sheka’s head office campus, Jessore. A trained female doctor and
medical assistant attend each clinic, examining and keeping records of each woman
who comes to the clinic. Women are provided advice and supportive care; those
with more serious issues are referred to an affiliated doctor at Khulna Medical
College. Regular advertising of the clinic is conducted and the local hospital and
family planning clinic refer patients with breast problems to Banchte Sheka’s center.
8. Top-WatSan project in south-west region in Bangladesh
A. Background of the project
About 6 million People in South-West region suffering from severe water logging
crisis since Coastal Embankment Project (CEP) implemented in 1960’s. CEP was
followed by river-bed silting; drainage congestion eventually repeated water logging
induced floods in 2000, 2004 and 2006.
The ecological and geological situation of south-western part of Bangladesh is
unique in many ways. Southwest is the part of an inactive delta of large Himalayan
Rivers. It is located just behind the mangrove forest Sunderban- (world hermitage)
and Bay of Bengal. A large portion of the region is coastal wetland formed by the
rivers flowing to the sea and as brackish waterways of Sunderban. Cyclones, floods,
tidal surges, repeated water logging and land erosion are common in this part of the
country. They shape lives and livelihood patterns of people living in this entire area.
B. Context and rational of project:
Southwest region is now facing severe and chronic water logging poor drainage
through river systems caused by the poor design and maintenance of coastal
embankment projects and flood protection embankments. This type of projects
increases siltation and saline intrusion in this region that disrupted the livelihood,
farming system and living conditions of the people.
Moreover the adverse affects of climate change, and sea level rise creates more
saline intrusion, water logging. Naturally in this area, numbers of ground water
aquifers1 are few due to shortage of heavy sand particle beneath the ground rather
this area has abundance of fine particle of sands. Due to excessive extraction of
ground water through deep tube well irrigation aquifers of this area are
contaminated with arsenic and reduce the water level under the ground. According
to the Groundwater Arsenic Calamity survey conducted by Oxfam partner Uttaran,
almost 79% of aquifers of southwest are contaminated by Arsenic.
The adverse effects of the ill planned embankments, changes of the courses and
discharges of river-flows, irresponsive shrimp cultivation, sea level rise, arsenic
contamination, and climate change have further worsened the living conditions of
the people especially among women. The sources of safe drinking water are
extremely affected and becoming scarce. Collect safe drinking water that is saline
and arsenic free is at a major distance, this adds to women’s workload and burden.
Almost 5,000,000 people have been affected by this water crisis in the South-West
region. Women in particular shoulder tremendously the burdens and suffer twofold compared to their male counterpart. Lots of drinking water sources and latrine
facilities submerged in stagnant water therefore women and girls more time &
travel long distance to collect water and also suffers mental and physical discomfort
in lack of appropriate toilets.
Due to illiteracy, poverty and lack of awareness on government services, half of the
populations do not have access to health and hygienic latrine in Southwest
region. Local government in this area is does not engage proactively with
community and respond to their needs. Most of the individuals and families in the
poorer sections are not aware about proper hygiene and environmental
health. Acute crisis of safe drinking water makes women compelled to fetch water
from distance. People have to make long queues in front of the arsenic free tube
wells. Because of the reduced access to safe drinking water, people drink less water,
less than the normal biological needs of physique and standard Children, men and
women become sick, with skin diseases, stomach upsets, dysentery, diarrhoea,
fever, malnutrition, etc. Thus, the situation has continually posed as a grave threat
to the well being of the people and increased the vulnerabilities [even deaths]
among poor people due to the crippling water and sanitation diseases.
Situation commonly aggravates during acute water logging from September to
December each year. According to Oxfam needs assessment report, repeated water
logging induced floods in 2004, 2006 and 2007 destroyed or damaged many water
sources and sanitary latrine in this region. There was no inadequate emergency
response from state and humanitarian agencies in the past resulting in water,
sanitation and hygiene situation become worse day to day, which is serious threat
for overall environment and public health.
In this backdrop, the this project targeting integrated sanitation, hygiene promotion
and increase of safe water access was an initiative that freed thousands of people
from the sufferings of diseases, vulnerabilities, stress of work and poverty which
increased their resilience to face water logging crisis.
C. Goal
Sustainable improvement of environmental health and quality of lives of most
disadvantaged people particularly women affected by water-logging in South-West
region in Bangladesh.
D. Objectives

To ensure improved and sustainable access to water and environmental
sanitation of targeted communities in water logged affected areas
through community based integrated water resources management and
promotion of participatory total sanitation.

To improve of health and hygiene condition of targeted women, men and
adolescent of the water logging affected communities through access to hygiene
promotion services during normal and water logging time.
12. Justifications:
The project areas are waterlogged and coastal belt of the dangerous river
Kapotakkha and vabadah are isolated, patches, riverrine, highly backward, remote,
hardship communication, under served, deprived and underprivileged and highly
disaster prone. River erosion, tidal bore, tidal surges, over floods, tornado, cyclones
etc. are very much common in the waterlogged. So, every year, people lost their
lands, crops, resources, and livestock etc. and becoming landless and taking shelter
in the slums, where they have to lead a very distress life. During the water logging
period, WATSAN condition is totally collapsed and the people need assistance to
improve their water and sanitation condition. As they are illiterate and unconscious,
so, they are not aware about the preventive measures and information about
different disasters and how to minimize their damages and losses, where as if they
become aware and take preventive measures, they can easily minimize their
damages and losses. From our previous working experiences, and study, it has been
found that due to unconsciousness and lack of early information, they become the
victims of high damages and losses and also due to lack of high places and shelters,
they cannot take shelter in high places, which results high losses and damages. If
these people are made aware about different disasters, get early information, take
pre-measurers, get shelters, boats, sanitation facilities, drinking water facilities etc.
they can easily save their resources and reduce losses and damages from the
disasters and if they become trained and aware about the coping of different
disasters, they can easily cope with any disaster through taking early preparations.
So, to reduce their losses and damages and also to face or cope with different
disasters, they need awareness, capacity, skills to cope, early warning or early
information, high places, shelters, transportation, food and water preserving pots,
early warning materials, support personnel, preventive measures like tree
plantation, upraising of lands, installation of tube well and latrines in high places or
shelters, community participation, collective efforts, collective helps and integrated
programs, so, that they could be able to cope or face any disasters and reduce their
losses and damages. If these project activities are duly carried, it will create a new
direction and new technologies and also new policies, which can be followed up for
future disaster preparedness and management programs, because, the present
program will be effective and successful, which may be followed up in other areas as
model. All the inserted activities are quite related to the project objectives, goals and
expected outputs, because, if these activities are carried under this project, the
project goals and objectives and expected outputs will be fulfilled and establish new
policies for future disaster preparedness and management, because, the experts are
time to time giving warning for future dangerous disasters, if from this time we do
not take preparation, we have to face great losses and damages in future. So, the
project is very much important and essential for acquiring capacity for coping,
facing, reducing losses and damages, and establish some policies for future
directions.
Project Location:
District
Jessore
Upazila
Union
Name of
villages
# of
Beneficiary
Shamesh
Kathi
Vulbaria
Nebugati
Panchbaria
Kuchulia
Di-Gonga
Mohishdia,
Hatgacha,
Bajakultuia,
Alipur
Lakhaidanga
Kushkhali
Ashan Nagar
132
Monohorpur
Roji Pur
Moshinnagar
Chakla
Deara
Kashiadanga
Mathpara
Joynagar
Khetrapara
Maniknagar
Jalalabad
Ahshan
Nagar
Shinghalal
08
21
72
700
513
185
356
200
118
Monirampur Horidaskathi
Kultia
Durbadanga
Satkhira
Total
02
Kolarua
02
54
170
232
127
90
125
175
70
87
183
101
110
200
4000
Name of
villages
(Under
100%
Sanitation
coverage)
Nebugati
Di-Gonga
Bajakultuia,
Ashan
Nagar
Chakla
Ahshan
Nagar
06
Beneficiaries
a) Number of direct beneficiaries: 4000 (Four thousand) HHs
b) Number of which are women: 4000 (All are women)
13. Project Implementation procedures:
Bottom-up, non-directive and integrated development framework approach was
followed up to implement the project and ensured mainly peoples’ participation and
resource mobilization. The following steps were undertaken for the implementation
of the project:
a) A Project Implementation Committee (PIC) formed with 7 members, who were
from different levels like UP Chairperson/Member, CBO personnel, NGO
personnel, teacher, elite etc. to run and manage the project activities. Maximum
members of the PIC were taken from the beneficiaries.
b) Purchasing Committee was formed to purchase the project equipment and
materials as required through following organizational purchasing policy.
c) Necessary project staffs (as mentioned in the project provision) selected and
appointed according to the recruitment policy of the organization and then
oriented on project implementation. A recruitment committee deals the
recruitments with the discussions of the Executive Director and Executive
Committee.
d) A feasible and practical action plan was prepared by the staffs considering the
situation, work load, seasonal conditions, communication etc. and the activities
prepared jointly and also for each staff, which are implemented and monitored.
e) Strong accountability and transparency was developed through introducing
strong follow up, supervision and monitoring system and reporting system
among the project staffs. Necessary monitoring formats, tools are developed for
collecting updated information.
f) The concern staffs prepares training plans, schedule, modules, materials &
curriculum and according to plan and schedule all training courses, seminars
and workshops arranged & conducted as per plan.
g) All the committee members will be provided necessary orientation and capacity
building training and also they will participate in different seminars and
workshops.
h) Latrines and tube wells installed in the high places and shelters for ensuring
sanitation and drinking water during disasters.
i) Frequent coordination, sharing and cooperation maintained with the formed
committees, UPs and Upazilla personnel.
j) Senior staff was frequently visited the fields for strong supervision and follow up.
k) Monthly staff meetings arranged to review the activities and find out and solve
the encountered problems and difficulties.
l) The PIC will pay quarterly monitoring and prepare reports with necessary
suggestions.
m) Quarterly progress monitoring conducted by the Monitoring Team and submit a
report with finding and recommendations to the management for taking future
steps.
n) Monthly, Quarterly and Half Yearly prepared and submitted.
14. Project Intervention:
1. 80 volunteers received 01 day participatory assessment training
2. 80 session conducted in each targeted villages
3. 21 meeting held to form/reform water resources management committees
4. 188 people received 01 day orientation.
5. 135 people received CFW support for 15 days to excavate 04 new integrated
pond
6. 135 CFW beneficiary received tools/equipments for compressed of earthwork
7. 04 sets of accessories purchased to protect pond from salinity/polluted water
8. 152 people received 01 day organic pisciculture & integrated fish farming
training.
9. 8 raised Dip tube-well will installed at community level
10. 01 pond sand filters installed at new/rehabilitated pond
11. 1200 families raised (above flood level) sanitary latrines
12. 120 families got support to repair/improve their existing latrine to make it
hygienic/flood free
13. 13 communal latrines installed
14. 232 community health volunteers recruited for 06 month to disseminate health
and hygiene message.
15. 232 community health volunteers received 02 days training on Water Sanitation
and Hygiene promotion (WASH)
16. At least 22400 (16 people each of 1920 session) men, women, adolescent
received health and hygiene message through CHV's
17. 4,000 adolescent and women received hygiene materials (sanitary cloth, soap)
along with orientation pre & during water logging time.
18. 02 type IEC materials developed and disseminate among people attended in
health session
17. Project progress
17.1
Activities Completed
A. Working area selection
Preliminary village level base line survey and Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)
was conducted at the beginning of the Top WATSAN project. In this regard 80
volunteers (two volunteers from each village) were appointed from 40 selected
villages to conduct this survey and PRA. One day orientation training was arranged
for these volunteers on this base line survey and PRA. Though one-day orientation is
not enough to conduct the survey and PRA, but with the help of the project’s CM,
PHPO and PHEO volunteers are successfully completed the survey and PRA in the
selected 40 villages. Total 400 families (10 families from each village) were
interviewed and 40 PRA meetings (one meeting for each village) were conducted.
Through survey we have tried to identify mostly the water and sanitation condition
of the village peoples and their awareness about WATSAN. In the PRA and FGD
session we tried to identify the socio-economic condition of the overall population
of that village and categories the total households according poor, middle class and
rich family. The volunteers also identify the water sources of the community and
other social facilities they can avail from their locality.
Public Health Intervention Completed (Hardware & Software)
Provide tools to community members to excavate 04 new ponds
Since community members are poor and hardly able to manage tools to dig the
ponds, considering this fact project targets to provide tools such as spade, basket
and equipments for turning to beneficiary. Tools have been distributed among
selected beneficiary before started of CFW work through WRMC.
Organized 1 day organic pisciculture & integrated fish farming training.
In the backdrop of arsenic contamination in ground water people increasingly
depending on surface water as a safe water sources in this areas but chemical
utilization in the pond water for fish farming enshrined this option therefore project
targets to utilize the pond that project will be digging to be used as model for
organic fish farming. Multipurpose use of pond bank, vegetation cultivation for
feeding fish and choice profitable species could promote pisciculture as well as
could contribute to protect safe water sources. A day long training module has been
developed to train WRMC members on organic pisciculture & integrated fish
farming training. Module addressed the following Issues so that WRMC members
understand the multipurpose uses of new excavated pond and their role to
maintenance the available safe water sources and options. All (21 Committee)
training have been conducted in the project period where members of WRMC and
land owner of new Ponds have participated. So that now they are trying to use as
safe water sources and multipurpose way.
Dig 04 new fresh water ponds which will enable communities to collect, store
and filter rainwater
As the working areas have crisis of safe drinking water by contaminating arsenic. In
tube-well water and pond water by polluting logged water therefore project targets
to dig 04 new fresh water ponds which will enable communities to collect, store and
filter rainwater. These ponds were digging through Cash for Work (CFW) involving
project beneficiaries. Intension is to do the target activities as well as raising Income
opportunity for target beneficiaries. Place for 04 new ponds (for digging) have been
selected following below mentioned process;



With the help of WRMC conduct PRA to Identify the ponds available In the
villages and their status like good, polluted, good but not above flood
level etc
Participatory analysis regarding need of safe water sources and options
In the WRMC meeting
Select place for digging new pond or repairing existing pond considering

availability of land , willingness of owner of land etc
Agreement made between WRMC and owner of land/pond with a
condition to make this pond water available to community, take
responsibility for maintenance etc.
A total 200 people have been Identified as beneficiaries for digging 04 new ponds.
As agreed with WRMC, beneficiary has provided 15 days employment (CFW) @ 135
tk. for completing the task. Agreement processes have been completed accordingly
with the selected land owners of new/existing pond. All targeted new fresh water
ponds have been completed with clay block in the project period by maintaining
CFW procedure (10 Step) where 135 people have participated for digging new pond.
B. Clean water and storage:
(1) Improve the supply of clean water by installing eight deep hand-pumped
wells that are raised above potential flood levels:
Project targets to Install 08 hand pump wells to supply clean water. According to
baseline survey conducted for this project most of shallow tube-well are affected by
arsenic contamination therefore project plan Is to Install dip tube-well and before
handover to community ensure that It Is not affected by arsenic contamination.
Tube well will be raised above highest flood level so that clean water supply not
hamper even during flood time In future. As agreed between WRMC, Top-WatSan
Project following process has followed for installing dip-tube well;


Place selection In consultation with WRMC
Selected place list handover to local Department of Public Health and
Engineering (DPHE) office
 Tube well user group formation
 Agreement between owner of
tube-well places and WRMC for
ensuring future maintenance
 02 (01 male, 01 female)
members from user group
received care-taker trg. with tool
box
 Water quality and arsenic testing
 Hand over to community
Place have been selected timely following below mentioned criteria’s:
 Proven ability to have one e.g. others are in the area, no history of arsenic
and salinity
 Population numbers
 Access problem to existing tube wells e.g. open channels people have to
cross in the water logging period
 There is no water source of obtaining safe drinking water
(2) Install 01 Pond Sand Filter to the supply of clean water & Storage
The planned programme of construction and rehabilitation of pond Sand Filter (PSF)
as a short term solution to the provision of drinking water is not a realistic one. The
vast majority of existing PSF’s were non operational in the project working area. In
saying this, there are many reasons for the non operational status of the PSF’s such
as constructs of the units without with involvement the communities, the
communities not receiving appropriate training or mobilisation on essential O&M of
the systems and so on. Therefore any community mobilisation involved in the PSF
programme will take a significant longer time to redress than was first envisaged by
the programme.
Top-WatSan project is short term program therefore there is insufficient time to
ensure proper mobilisation and ownership by the community within the time
available. Top-WatSan Project following process has followed for Installing PSF;







Place selection In consultation with WRMC
Selected place list handover to local Department of Public Health and
Engineering (DPHE) office
PSF user group formation
Agreement between owner of PSF places and WRMC for ensuring future
maintenance
Conducting awareness session for user group by CHVs
Water quality testing
Hand over to community
Project targets to installed 01 Pond Sand Filter to supply of clean water & storage.
Place have been selected timely following below mentioned criteria’s:




Where someone in the community agree to give the land and to the terms
and conditions set in MOU
There is no water source of obtaining safe drinking water
Pond will provide water all year round
The pond is currently being use for drinking water purpose
According plan PSF installation has been completed by the reporting period. CHVs
are conducting awareness session for user group continuously.
C. Latrine installation:
(1) Raise 1200 household latrines above flood levels, and provide a further 120
families
with equipment to repair their existing latrines
Baseline sanitation situation In working villages Is very poor, only 13 % families
have sanitary latrine In working villages means 87% have no sanitary latrine.
Project plan is to follow 100% sanitation approach to Install or repair 1320 (1200
new and 120 repair) household latrines. This means the targeted villages by this
project will be fewer than 100% coverage of sanitary latrine along with hygienic
maintenance of them. Out of 21 villages 06 villages have been Identified for 100%
sanitation coverage. Process has been agreed with respective WRMC and partners
for installing sanitary latrine are as follows;
(2) Making Rings and Slabs:
1200 families will get new hygienic latrine and 120 latrines will be repaired under
this project. So, there are more than six thousand rings and more than twelve
hundred slabs are required in this project. Making this vast number of rings and
slabs is a lengthy process, which will take more than two months. So, Banchte
Shekha has given contract to a vendor for making the rings and slabs and the whole
procedures are handled by the PHEO. The vendor has already completed of making
rings and slabs according to the Oxfam rules and the PHEOs are time to time
monitoring the whole activities.
(3) Install 1320 (1200 new & 120 repair) raise sanitary latrine above flood
level
Project
latrine
raised
targets to installed 1320 HH
to ensure the provision of safe
latrines that meet minimum
international standards and are
above the threshold flood water
levels. Latrines have been installed timely following below mentioned process:
D. Community hygiene promotion:
C. Basic Training of the CHVs:
After selection of 232 CHVs from the selected 21 villages, two days basic training on
health, hygiene, water and sanitation were arranged and trained them that how will
they aware the community peoples and adolescent. They were also taught that how
they can conduct different orientation session. They are also provided some written
materials, which have been sent us from Oxfam office that can help them to conduct
session.
(2) Provide 02 type IEC materials (01 Sticker and 01 Flip chart) to the CHVs to
conduct health & hygiene through CHVs.
It is very helpful to conduct the hygiene session because some of the participants
are illiterate. So by using the demonstrating technique, this materials are highly
appreciated by the participants to receive the information easily also it is helpful for
the CHVs as a facilitator, this is the realisation of the CHVs & the participants. TOP
Project has been distributed some IEC materials (Flipchart, Festoon, Sticker) to the
CHV for conducting awareness session. All the IEC materials are highlighting with
the key messages. Flip chart- for each community health volunteer as teaching tool
during house holds visit and community awareness raising session. Sticker &
Festoon have been hanged to the community places, UNO Office, UPZ, UP, Health
institution & Clinic, Educational institution, household level & inside of constructed
raise latrine (Only sticker). Where people will be continuous influenced by the
sticker & festoon.
(3) Communication materials distribution among CHVs:
Banchte Shekha has organized materials (bag, apron, cap and umbrella) distribution
sessions for CHVs. Total 232 CHVs’ received these communication materials. Angela
Gomez, Executive Director, Prodip Marcel Rozario, Director of Banchte Shekha, Mr.
Mizanur Rahman, DPHE Officer of Monirampur Upazila and Representatives from
Oxfam GB attended the program. As a result of materials distribution local govt. and
media now more aware about the project and CHV’s itself are felt more inspired to
do their responsibility cordially.
(4) Conduct adolescents, men women sessions for disseminating health &
hygiene message:
Near about 90% people of the project area were not aware on watsan message. So
the Top project started health & hygiene dissemination session from very beginning
of the project. Under the project Banchte Shekha recruited 232 CHVs to promote
hygiene situation by conducting awareness session. There are four mothers sessions
in each month have been conducted by each of CHVs where 18-20 mothers
participates to raise the awareness level on health & hygiene related issues. The
messages discussed with in mother session are as follows:
Disease routs transmission:
 Hygiene awareness raising including food handling & storage
 Promote hand washing with soap & water or alternatives other than soap at
all time



Promotion of personal hygiene, environmental cleaning & safe water use
Encourage hand washing & thorough washing of vegetable with clean water
before cooking & covering of leftover food to avoid contact with flies be able
to explain the link between diarrhoea 7 ingestion of contaminated foods.
Promote the use of SSS and commercially available oral rehudration salts on
prevention of dehydration
Near about 6496 session (20 people each of session) have been conducted by the
CHVs in the reporting period.
(5) Distribute hygiene kits containing soaps and sanitary towels to 4000
adolescents and women, and provide messages on personal hygiene.
As per plan Out of 4000 flood victims 3000 received total 04 pieces (02 pieces of
laundry and 02 pieces of bathing soap) of soap and sanitary clothes ( 01 miter)
during their staying in the temporary shelters. It is the crucial time they are passing
in the temporary shelter places where maintaining personal hygiene really difficult
due to various reason such as lack of bathing and personal space for female, lack of
adequate safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, unavailability of hygiene
materials etc. In this moment providing safe drinking water, sanitation facilities,
women bathing corner from emergency project and hygiene materials such as soaps
and sanitary cloths from TOP project were tremendously helpful to flood victims
especially to women and adolescent girls. 2246 people have received total 02 pieces
(01 pieces of laundry and 01 pieces of bathing soaps) of soap and sanitary clothes
(01 mitre) by first week of January 2009 among beneficiaries where flood not or
less affected.
E. Press briefing
Banchte Shekha has been organized a media press briefing ceremony where local
and national electronic and print media along with local DPHE and Upazilla officials,
elected public representative have been participated. They have visited to the
project side and discussed with local community about project activities. The local
and national print media have already been published about top project activities
and its impact and outcome.
3. Outcomes & Impact:
A. Water resource management:
(1) Arranged training for Water Resource Management Committee (WRMC)
Members to maintain the community water systems:
All 189 members have been received one day training. They have contributed to
selecting places where hardware support are installing, motivating people for
maintain sanitary latrine and safe hygiene practice. Moreover committee members
were actively engaged to evacuate people from their Inundated home to temporary
places when flood water comes. In the project areas more than 200 formal and
Informal temporary shelters where WRMC members were actively engaged In NFI
distribution, supply safe drinking water, Installing temporary latrine and female
bathing corner, mobilizing community health volunteers to hygiene promotion
activities for women and adolescent girls. As a result of their active role in the
temporary shelter places no significant diarrhoea situation reported till to date,
security situation Is remaining normal. They often are visiting door to door to
motivate people to use safe water by utilizing provided water purification tablet,
take care to keep cleanliness even In this temporary living situation which
contributing to reduce risk of water borne diseases In camp areas.
B. Clean water and storage:
(1) Improve the supply of clean water by installing eight deep hand-pumped
wells that are raised above potential flood levels:
People of surrounding areas of dip-tube well installing places were very much
interested to get this system because there is no alternative safe water getting
source .Community were desired their needs to get a raised dip tube-well and they
are committed to maintain it properly. As a result of building the dip tube wells 800
households have access to clean drinking water. There has already been a 60% drop
in the prevalence of water-borne diseases. Most of poor women in villages have less
than half a mile to travel for water, compared to the 2 miles they had to travel
before. This means their housework isn’t interrupted.
Feedback-02
We are very happy to construction of Pond Sand Filter (PSF)-Abdur Rahman
We are very happy to construction of Pond Sand Filter
(PSF) in our village through Banchte Shekha. Firstly the
community people of this area ignored PSF & they said
that People never take PSF water. Now all villagers collect
PSF water for drinking & cooking purpose because most of
hand tube-well affected by arsenic & salinity. We are
worried for that the pond water has been finished day by
day. On the other side we distributed 42 household latrines in poradanga. All
household latrine has been installed & now the environment of our village is very
much positive for health related diseases because the community people are not to
go open place for defecation. Abdur Rahaman, WRMC President, Podradanga village,
Kultia Union, Monirampur Upazilla, Jessore District
I am worried for my future. Taslima-A Community Health Volunteer
My father passed away before my born. My mother has
been married another place. I lived with my grandfather.
He bared my all expense. Last year he died. My education
was going to end because anyone didn’t agree to bear my
educational expenses. It was impossible to continue my study. Banchte Shekha has
published an announcement for CHV recruitment. Banchte Shekha has selected me
as a CHV. At first I thought, I will not get this job because normally any body doesn’t
get any job without recommendation but I had none. But Banchte Shekha has been
followed a systematic and transparent process for the selection of CHV. I was a CHV.
I have got training on health & hygiene. I conducted motivational session about
health & hygiene practice in my village. I was getting some honorarium which was
expense for my continuing study.I didn’t need to want money for the expenses of
education from my poor mother. I was very much happy for getting the job. But now
the project of Banchte Shekha may be finished. So that; I don’t know what will
happen in my future. I am very much worried for my future. Taslima-A Community
Health Volunteer, Matpara village, Deara Union, Kalarua Upazilla
Case Story-1
Sakina Khatun is a model of risk reduction
Sakina khatun (38) is a housewife living in a village named Mathpara under Deara
Union of Satkhira District. She is illiterate; she has two sons and three daughters –
two daughters are married and others are teens. Her
husband Sayruddi (45) is a hawker. He is the only earning
member of the family. He leaves his house for earning
money and come back after 3-4 months. The average
monthly income of the family is around BDT 1500.00
(taka one thousand five hundred only), which is found
extremely inadequate to meet the basic needs of a family.
Her family is considered as the low-income group people.
She lives in a small two-room house, which floor is made of mud; roof is prepared by
mud-tally and the entire house is covered by bamboo fetch. It is their own house;
they have no land except 11 dec of homestead. Every year they are affected by water
logged since 2000. they lose their houses, cattle and necessary materials under
water due to water logging in the village. Sakina passed the family life hardly with
her two marriage age daughter because they took shelter on the road side every
year.
The children are deprived from getting education. Sakina stated that she couldn’t
effort the expenses for schooling of the children. According to her mindset, she
prefers more on selling her son’s labor for earning extra money rather spoiling time
to go to the school. She also mentioned that education would be useful for the rich
people; they couldn’t change their fate. However, there are government primary
school, madrasa, high school and college under the union;
There was no sanitary latrine provision in the house. They used to go for open
defecation on the nearby bushes. She has a sallow tube well as only the main
drinking water source which is affected by logged water every year. During water
logging time, she collected safe water from 2 km away by boat, she lost more time
and spend taka 8.00 for collecting one kolshi drinking water. Sometimes she could
not go to collect water for same money. She states,”I had to carry water from the
well about 3-4 hours each day. We carried the water in clay pots, one on our head
and another on our waist. One day, carrying back the clay pots full of water down a
hill, and one of the young children scared a dog behind me and the dog ran between
my legs and it knocked me over. The clay pots shattered, but luckily I only hurt my
knees”. I was not the only one to suffer this kind of fall. An older woman slipped and
the clay pot fell on her feet. She suffered a great injury and was rushed to the doctor
immediately. She needed more money for treatment. All this because of the long and
uncomfortable trail that we used to obtain a little contaminated water.
In the rainy season, the roads were so bad that we could hardly get down to get the
water and these problems were compounded by the fights for water, pregnancies,
having small children with you because there was no one to leave them with, the
tiring trip to bring water, the gossipers, the delay in doing our household chores,
sometimes leaving us without time to send them to school.
Once her son Ibrahim (09) used their own tube well water for drinking purpose. As
a result he suffered from diarrhea. Sakina took her son to the village doctor (Quack)
for treatment and she needed 1000.00 taka for treatment. They had skin diseases
and also affected by water borne diseases several times. More importantly, she had
lack of knowledge about the positive impacts of using sanitary latrine. She had
wrong concept about using a sanitary latrine at household level. In the nearby
bazaar, she saw different vendors producing and selling rings, slabs, pans and other
latrine materials. But couldn’t show interest as had financial constrain.
Sakina got a HH latrine from Banchte Shekha last year. She installed the latrine
above highestflood level near her house. Banchte Shekha also installed a deep
handwell with raise flat form near Sakina’s house. As stated, now they are
benefiting from the tube well, they are getting safe drinking water and collecting the
water by small boat. They are also using the latrine by small boat. Banchte Shekha
has been distributed different kinds of non food items such as Bucket, Kolshi, Mug
and others health and hygiene kits last year. Sakina said that we stopped using clay
pots and started using plastic buckets and Kolshi to carry more water for the bath,
washing clothes and all the household chores. Sakina and her family members were
completely unaware about the issues of hygiene practices. She and her family
members hadn’t minimum knowledge on “hand wash” issue and its positive impacts
on heath or what are the preventive measures for keeping safe from water borne
diseases, etc. However, Sakina has more information on health and hygiene issues,
which has changed her life through ensuring healthy lives for the family during her
attendance in health session conducted by Community Health Volunteer (CHV)
from Bachte Shekha last year.
Sakina States that we have always dreamed of trying to improve our community
more. When we saw a similar project in another village, we searched for ways that
took us to our village since we needed and wanted potable water so much. We
wanted to make this dream a reality and we found people with such great hearts
that made our dream come true, thanks to God and thanks to the Banchte Shekha.
We feel very thankful since now we no longer have to dedicate 3 hours daily to carry
water and now we have free time to dedicate to the children, to our household
chores, to pray for tomorrow that we will have less problems.
Case Story - 2
Aklima Khatun (38) is a housewife living in a village under Deara Union of Satkhira
District. She is illiterate; she has two sons and three daughters – one son and one
daughter are married. Rest three are teens. One daughter is
disable and chronically ill who is 15 years of age. Aklima
always feels worried for her disable daughter that very
often she (disable daughter) falls down in to flood water
during
water
logging time. Her husband and son are earning member of
the family. They leave their house for earning money and
come back after 3-4 months. They collect dust materials (plastic bottle, women hair
etc.) from door to door and sale it to the dust materials businessman. The average
monthly income of the family is around BDT 2,000.00 (taka two thousand only),
which is found extremely inadequate to meet the basic needs of a family. Her family
is considered as the low-income group people. She lives in a small two-room house,
which floor is made of mud; roof is prepared by mud-tally and straw and the entire
house is covered by bamboo fetch. It is their own house. There are eight members of
her family, they live together. She has a small land which is covered by logged water
for 6-8 months.
She works hard for producing some seasonal vegetables in the small surrounding
places every year. But her vegetable garden is fully damaged during water logging
time. One youngest son and daughter always assist her and engages with mother.
Both the children go to near primary school which is situated in another village of
the union for getting education. There is no educational institution in the village.
Aklima stated that she couldn’t effort the expenses for schooling of the children. Her
son put on hydro plant (plants which grow in water) for selling to fisherman for
earning extra money rather spoiling time to go to the school. She also mentioned
that education would be useful for the rich people; they couldn’t change their fate.
There was no sanitary latrine provision in the house. She had an unhygienic latrine
which is open and made of two rings, one slub that have broken by water logging,
they used to go for open defecation on the logged water. In the day light, she and her
daughter couldn’t defecate outside the house for feeling insecure, therefore, wait till
the sunset as prefer darkness for release feces. Sometimes, she found it difficult for
not defecate in the daytime though accepted the situation. Some times she found
more feces in logged water on her yard when they take their lunch. She has installed
a raise latrine from the project. She states that now i have a raise sanitary latrine, we
will never face the situation and we feel proud obviously. More importantly, she had
lack of knowledge about the positive impacts of using sanitary latrine. All members
of her family had skin diseases and also affected by water borne diseases several
times.
Aklima and her family members were completely unaware about the issues of
hygiene practices. She and her family members hadn’t minimum knowledge on
“hand wash” issue and its positive impacts on heath or what are the preventive
measures for keeping safe from water borne diseases, etc. children were affected by
diarrhoea for several times, however, she had serious lack of knowledge on health
and hygiene practices. During project period, she has got the opportunity to learn
about health and hygiene practices from Banchte Shekha. She has got more
information from health & hygiene session conducted by the Community Health
Volunteers (CHVs) under top Watsan project of Banchte Shekha.
There was no deep hand tube well in her area. There are more sallow hand tube
well in the village but most of the SHTW are contaminated by arsenic. On the other
side, all SHTW are affected by water logged. Moreover they didn’t know which tube
well is affected by arsenic or which not. So there had no alternative safe drinking
water sources in surrounding areas during water logging time. Aklima was unaware
about arsenic problem and its negative impacts on health. She collected water from
at least 1.5 kilometres away from her house by swimming for all purposes including
drinking and cooking. She lost a huge time to collect water.
However, Aklima has shown positive attitude to learn on health and hygiene issues,
which might change her life through ensuring healthy lives for the family during her
attendance in health session conducted by Community Health Volunteer (CHV) from
Banchte Shekha. She expressed her interest sharing time for health and hygiene
education. She has installed a sanitary latrine in the premises, she got an arsenic
free tube-well with raise platform to collect safe water .Aklima has received training
on floating vegetation from Banchte Shekha. She made two floating bed by water
hyacinth for cultivation of floating vegetable earned some money when she was in
crisis moment.
Case Story – 3
Ms. Rubina Akhter (42) is a housewife; she is literate. He has education up to class
IX. She has two sons. One is a college student and he is continuing his study to stay
as house teacher in a house near college. Another one is in class X to stay with his
mother. Her husband is a day labor and chronically ill and he could not hard work.
Her economical concision isn’t allowing her for taking treatment for her husband.
The main source of income of her family is vegetable gardening. The average
monthly income of the family is around BDT 1500.00 (taka one thousand five
hundred only), She is a land less. She is a dreamer. She was grown different kinds of
vegetables on her house plinth. Every year she is affected by water logged since
2000. The house has gone under water due to water logging in the village. She tried
hart & soul to save her vegetable garden from logged
water. In this year she could not save her vegetable
garden from flood water.
The overall situation forced her to leave the place and take shelter on the roadside
under a temporary tent, which is made of straw and thin plastic on the roof. It is
completely an opposite scenario compare with her permanent residence. Therefore,
she is frustrated for not protecting her house from water logging situation. She is
also scared thinking about the after effect of water logged situation; more money
would be needed for repairing the house; the source of collecting and managing
money is still unknown. Her financial position becomes worst gradually. She
couldn’t manage any income sources and social status doesn’t allow her for begging.
She was in a real trouble and searching for a scope that would help her to earn
regular money. As she mentioned, she was a community health volunteer of Banchte
Shekha last year and also she has got an opportunity as a community health
volunteer from Banchte Shekha for this year. And she is getting BDT. 500.00 per
month from Banchte Shekha which is helping for continuing her children’s study.
When she lives in her own house, she was installed a tube-well in the premises, But
she does not know, is her SHTW affected by arsenic or not?. However, she confused
to get safe water due to arsenic contamination in ground water. As community
health volunteer she is more aware about arsenic problem and its negative impacts
on health. So she collects arsenic free water from .5 kilometres away from her house
and regularly used in all purposes including drinking and cooking. She was informed
about negative impacts of arsenic poison from wash training organized by Banchte
Shekha.
Same way, she had no sanitary latrine in her premises. She was completely unaware
about the positive impacts and consequences of using a sanitary latrine. Most of the
family members had skin diseases. She got a sanitary latrine from Banchte Shekha
last year. She constructed her latrine above highest flood level. Now they are using
the latrine by small boat (locally called Donga) or vela (made by banana tree) to
avoid the flood water. She has also grown different kinds of vegetables such as bean,
Law etc. on the plinth of her latrine.
She has got training on floating vegetation from Banchte Shekha. Presently, she has
built a floating bed on the out side of her house for cultivation of floating vegetation.
Seeds are planted in the floating bed. She believes, will get some money by selling
vegetables in this year. Evaluating Banchte Shekha she said that, "Banchte Shekha
helped me very much. If Banchte Shekha works on same issues in future many
people like me will get the opportunity for generating some income. I hope Banchte
Shekha will not stop this type of activities, it my demand to Banchte Shekha.
Case story-4
Monira khatun (33) is a Widow living in a village named Sanapara under Deara
Union of Satkhira District. She is educated in higher secondary.
Monira khatun born in a poor family. They are five brother & sister in the family.
She is elder of her family. Monira was gentle girl in their village. She passed her
primary & high school life in successfully. Monira khatun passed the secondary
school examination in a grade. She saw a dream, one day she would be a teacher. But
her dream had broken. Her father & uncle married her with Alamgir hossain whose
village is basdha under satkhira districts.
Within one year Monira khatun fall into dowry trap. Her husband want 100000/=
(one lac) dowry money. Monira’s father had no capacity to give the dowry money.
Often time her husband beat her for dowry money. At last all sorrow fell down in
her life. In four month pregnant movement monira back to her father’s house. Her
husband marriage another place. Her father went to Member, Chairman, and Elite
person’s door to door for to get right justice but no one helps him.
After six month monira’s home comes a sweet son. Monira khatun think that her
husband must come to hear the news of son. But her think proved wrong. At last
Monira thought that she makes her son as like a noble man. She had an only dream.
How way’s she implement her dream.
At this moment Banchte Shekha has published an announcement for CHV
recruitment. Banchte Shekha has selected me as a CHV. At first I thought, I will not
get this job because nobody doesn’t get any job without recommendation but I have
none. But Banchte Shekha has been followed a systematic and transparent process
for the selection of CHV. Now I am a CHV. I have got training on health & hygiene. I
am conducting motivational session about health & hygiene practice in my village. I
am getting some honorarium which is saved for my implement her dream. From my
saving money I bought a goat. In Eid-ul- azha I shall sail the goat then I will try to
buy a cow. This way implement my dream.
Now I knew how to teach another person. When I conduct motivational session,
women asked many question and I gave answer in easy way. The villager’s people
thought that monira never teach any person. When the village woman know that
monira’s teaching system is very good. Then they request to teach their children.
Now monira have 12 (twelve) student & Her monthly income 3000/= taka ( three
thousand).
I am very much happy for getting the job because villager’s women knew me from
health & hygiene session. Thanks to banchte shekha. I remain that if Banchte Shekha
continue this program many harassed women benefited like me.
9. Bringing Solar Power and Renewable Energy to Remote
Communities in Bangladesh Project
1. Key information
Name of Project
Project duration
Project location
Project cost
Reporting period covered
Prepared by
Reviewed by
Approved by
Bringing Solar Power and Renewable Energy to Remote
Communities in Bangladesh.
January 14, 2010 to January 15, 2011
Monirampur Upazila under Jessore district in
Bangladesh
BDT. 30, 48,170/= (Thirty lac forty eight thousand one
hundred seventy taka only)
January to July’2010
Golam Rabbani
Project Coordinator, Banchte Shekha, Jessore
Prodip Marcel Rozario
Assistant Executive Director, Banchte Shekha, Jessore.
Ms. Angela Gomes
Executive Director, Banchte Shekha, Jessore
2. Project Summary
For some vulnerable communities in remote South Asian villages, their struggle to
have lives of dignity and health takes place amidst a background of abundance and
wealth. While possessing little themselves, the rural poor are often living in areas
with huge riches in natural resources. Two of the most plentiful resources that
Oxfam’s partner communities in rural Bangladesh and Afghanistan have are solar
radiation and flowing water in streams and irrigation channels. Yet the simple
technologies that are commercially available to help the poor convert these
resources into energy sources is out of reach for people who live on less than $2 a
day.
Oxfam believes that helping people build better lives for themselves and future
generations, must include a variety of approaches – social, educational and technical.
This project will help 12 communities in Bangladesh and Afghanistan convert
sunlight and flowing water into electricity, using two of the most effective
renewable energy technologies currently in use in rural areas. In Bangladesh,
photovoltaic energy will be used for pumping water from ponds into village level
sand filters to provide a regular supply of safe water. Micro hydro turbines
generators will help Afghanistan villages tap into streams and irrigation ditches to
convert water into electricity for lighting homes and agricultural buildings.
Community mobilization activities will accompany the technical component of these
projects, to foster the organizational skills needed to maintain and manage these
projects. In both countries, Oxfam’s public health team will provide education on
safe hygiene behaviors and practices, especially in preventing water borne diseases
such as diahorrea.
With support from GDS, Oxfam will support at least 15,000 women, men and
children, using renewable energy as a catalyst for community empowerment.
Lessons learned from these projects will help inform other country programmes
where Oxfam is trying to help poor people gain access to technologies that are cost
effective and simple to maintain, and will provide better living conditions.
3. Background and Need
In large parts of South Asia, many rural people do not have access to electrical
power. Grid supplied electricity doesn’t reach people in remote areas, and
extending the grid is too costly for public utilities. In areas where public private
partnerships have been formed to provide electricity, the inability of many poor
families to pay the connection fees or a monthly tariff denies them access to this
basic necessity, and keeps the poor in darkness. Small scale, decentraliz approaches
to electrical supply is often the only viable option available for remote households.
Two of the primary electrical needs in rural villages are for lighting and water
pumping. In the absence of grid-supplied electricity, these villages often rely on
kerosene for lamps, and diesel fuel for pumps and generators. Rising prices and
fluctuating availability of these fossil fuels impact heavily on incomes of rural
families, some of whom spend 25-40% of their monthly income on fuel purchases.
Of additional concern to Oxfam is that a reliance on fossil fuels promotes a high
carbon road to development. Oxfam knows that addressing climate change issues
must take place in both the communities of the poor, as well as the corridors of
power.
Renewable energy (RE) sources such as photo-voltaic panels or hydro-power
turbines can produce a reliable, low cost, and low carbon form of electricity for offthe-grid communities. Neither of these technologies are new to the region, although
advances in recent years in the electronic components have improved their overall
efficiency. Research has shown that the most effective projects involving RE are
those that are implemented in communities that have a proven track record of
collaboration with local community based organizations or NGOs on other projects.
To help ensure the success of these projects, Oxfam and our local partners will select
12 communities (six in Afghanistan and six in Bangladesh) that we’ve previously
worked with on our development or humanitarian projects.
4. Objectives
The overall aim of the pilot project is to improve people’s lives and livelihoods with
the use of solar and hydro technology. With support from GDS, Oxfam will use
lessons learnt in the project period to inform future programming and replicate
successful project activities in other Oxfam communities throughout South and East
Asia.
5. Project Intervention
 A baseline survey of the area, including community selection of beneficiary
families
 Construction of PSFs with over head reservoir
 Installation of solar pumps to ensure sand filters maintain constant water
flow, thus reducing harmful bacteria contained in water, reducing waterborne disease. The solar systems will be procured in-country
 Provision of solar powered lamps at pump sites to permit evening water
collection and improve community security

Training of the elected water management committee (WPMC), caretakers,
community mobilizes (the project staff)
6. Changes to Agreed Activities
‘Repairing 03 existing Pond’ has been included as an activity. Mentionable no
additional cost is charged for adding this activity.
7. Activities Progress
A) Baseline Survey
Physical observation
Transit walk is an effective tool that helps people to gather knowledge on the
existing situation through direct observation. The project staffs and officials take the
main role for facilitating and encouraging people of the community, social leaders,
civil society members and public representatives to visit the entire areas. Using of
this type of tool has found effective for in-depth understanding of overall situation
in a particular area. Usually, a preset observation guidelines were followed in the
fields, which prepared based on specific objects. It included house visits with
informal discussions about water supply, sanitation and hygiene practices while
accessing at the in-house situation. At the same time, the observers also examined
different physical infrastructure of water and sanitation options and also informal
discussion with general people, civil society representatives, and social workers and
so on. Such tool had given opportunity understanding the existing hardware
inadequacy and significant needs for socio-environmental development of the area.
Questionnaire Survey
A well set close ended questionnaire in table format was developed to get basic
information on existing physical facilities like number of tube-wells, sanitary
latrines, social characteristics, demographic information including family size,
gender and economic conditions, water supply and sanitation situations including
different technologies of hardware etc. 06 (six) volunteers, targeting minimum 2
(two) from each village, were appointed from 03 (three) working villages at
Monirampur Upazilla under Jessore district to collect information from different
fields. The field surveyors received one day orientation on the questionnaire. Mock
test provision was kept to assess understanding level of the surveyors. The
questionnaire was pre-tested in the fields and considered required modification and
addition before finalized it for collecting real data from primarily selected villages.
Social Mapping
The purpose of social mapping is to gather information of a particular
community/area; people of the community play active
role to draw a picture of the locality. As a result, it helps
in identifying existing facilities and problems, perceived
value and perceptions of the people on a particular
issue. The inhabitants were asked to highlight major
arrangements of a community like establishment
patterns of residential areas, identification of health centre, schools, shops, market,
meeting points for women and men; location of water source sanitary latrines and
places for open defecation etc. Social mapping tool is considered as an indicator of
assessing existing devastating situation of a village. Based on the output of the social
mapping, the inhabitants play the major role for the development of an action plan,
which will be followed during the project period for implementing project related
activities in effective ways.
Arsenic Test in the working villages
Arsenic contamination in ground water is detected as a serious problem at the
upper aquifer in the project areas. The main challenge of the project areas is the
arsenic and salinity in water. Most of the sallow tube-wells are arsenic affected and
most of the dip tube-wells water has saline. So, it is very important for the engineers
that any types of water related information are highly required before
implementation any water option in any community. In this regards, Project
engineer has tested Arsenic for 45 SHTW (Random basis) in the selected village.
B) Pond/site selection for PSF construction:
The starting point of this project 03 villages have been selected by using different
technique such as eye survey, primary information collection from secondary
sources, Banchte Shekha has been followed the village selection criteria are
mentioned bellow:
 80-100% Arsenic affected
 Most of the areas are affected by flood and water logging of the villages.
 Most vulnerable people are living in the villages.
 Minority peoples live in the villages.
 Villagers are affected by flood/water logging in every year since 2000
 Poor Water and sanitation condition.
 Less aware about health and hygiene
 Availability of pond
 Unavailability of Electricity
Finally 03 ponds have been selected from 03 villages (01 in each village of 02 union
in monirampur Upazilla under jessore district by following mentioned selection
criteria
 Where someone in the community agree to give the land and to the terms
and conditions set in MOU
 There is no water source of obtaining safe drinking water
 Pond will provide water all year round
 The pond is currently being use for drinking water purpose
 The pond bank will be protected from flood water
Table-1 Project Site for PSF Construction
Union
Village
Name of
Pond
# of Target
% of Arsenic
Kultia
Poradanga
Pond owner
Size
beneficiary Contamination
Dilip
216/166
250
80%
170/96
200
100%
115/110
263
100%
Majumder
Shamkur
Shamkur
Majibur
Rahman
Shamkur
Halsha
Abdus Sattar
02
03
03
713
C) Water Point Management committee Formation
People of the community are the key to take decisions for implementing various
activities in the project areas. Therefore, a community
based Water Point Management Committee (WPMC) at
working village has been formed with the view to
involve communities at each and every step of the
project such as planning, implementation, monitoring
and eventually take responsibility for operation and
maintenance of installed water points after completion
of the project. Previously, the project staff identified and
approached potential people from a variety of
backgrounds those have good standing among the community. Representative from
the local government body, social workers, religious leaders, teachers and
representatives from the civil society became members of the “Water Point
Management Committee”. Members were selected on a mass gathering where the
inhabitants discussed the issue among them and finalized the committee with a
common consensus. One compulsory position has kept as the female commissioner
by designation would be the member of the committee. The committee consists of
11 (eleven) members having positive acceptance by the community. The committee
also includes 2 (two) caretakers from beneficiary,
Arrangement of a mass gathering at the village level inviting local inhabitants from
all quarters;
 Ensure presence of the elected female representative and keep provision of
holding a position on WPMC by designation; such initiative establishes
linkage of WRMC with the local government body;
 Encourage people to come up with enthusiastic attitudes to be a part of
WPMC


Encouragement of open discussion and participatory decision making
process for selecting members in different category;
Formation of WPMC with common consensus of the Inhabitants as agreed
upon specific roles and responsibilities by the selected members.
D) WPMC Training
In the backdrop of arsenic contamination In ground water people Increasingly
depending on surface water as a safe water sources in this areas but chemical
utilization In the pond water for fish farming enshrined this option therefore project
targets to utilize the pond that project has been excavated last year and also own
ponds of project beneficiary. Multipurpose use of pond bank, vegetation cultivation
for feeding fish and choice profitable species could promote pici-culture as well as
could contribute to protect safe water sources. With a view to this all members of
Water Point Management Committees (WPMC) received 01 days training on O&M of
Water facilities, Capacity building of WPMC and integrated fish farming timely.
According project plan training has already been provided in the reporting period.
The participants were introduced to concept of Public Health, Water born diseases,
its affect and impact in detail. Accordingly, they have identified what to do in
reducing the risk of Arsenic. Along with, they were introduced to 5F diagram, Safe
water, Pond Sand Filter as safe water sources including Role & responsibility of
WPMC. The training has sensitized the participants more in taking initiative so as to
reduce the risk of water born diseases as well as the trend of Arsenic contamination.
E) Project Staff training
With the view to make the project staff more
knowledgeable and skilled on Water related public
health issues, a 3 (three) days training has been
organized. It was anticipated that the training will
develop the capacity of the staff in supply of safe
drinking water to the remote communities in
Bangladesh by using renewable energy technologies
for pumping water from ponds into village level sand
filters to provide a regular supply of safe water. With help of Oxfam engineer the
training curriculum and module has been developed accordingly. The training has
been held timely where all project staff has been participated. The major contents of
the training were mentioned bellow:
 Concept of PSF
 Drawing & design of PSF
 Site/Beneficiary selection
 WPMC formation technique & their role & responsibility
 PSF management
 Hygiene promotion
 Community mobilization



Solar pump
Coordination with LG, DPHE
Field Visit for practical
Oxfam engineer Mr. Sanjan Kumar Barua was the main facilitator of the training.
F) Pond repairing
As the working areas have crisis of safe drinking water by contaminating arsenic.
Availability of safe drinking water was identified as a serious problem in the Arsenic
affected areas. Promotion and introduction of alternative options for safe and
arsenic free drinking water issue is the main activities under the project. Total 03
ponds have been selected for installation of PSF that were needed to re-excavate
that would enable communities on accessing safe water including collection and
storage. WPMC and the project staff are providing combined efforts on the issue.
Community based participatory approaches were promoted for the selection of
ponds for re-excavation. The target beneficiaries would be responsible to ensure
effective use of ponds that were prepared in different places. Project targets to reexcavate 03 ponds for PSF installation.
Major features of re-excavation of ponds
 With the help of WPMC conduct PRA to identify useful ponds in the villages
and status like good, polluted, risk analysis etc.
 Participatory analysis regarding needs of safe water sources and options by
WPMC
 Selection of available places for repairing existing ponds considering
availability of land, willingness of owner etc.
 Agreement between WPMC and owner of land/ponds with a condition of
keeping free access to collect safe water by the community and take
responsibility for maintenance etc.
Labor for digging ponds have been identified from the working village. All of
targeted fresh water ponds have been repaired with clay block in the reporting
period by Cash for Work (CFW). The WPMC members and advisors are time to time
monitoring the earth work of pond repairing.
G) Construction of Pond Sand Filter (PSF) with overhead reservoir
Under the project 03 (three) PSFs have been planned to
constructed. Accordingly, all the grounding activities have
already been completed by this time. The site and beneficiaries
for the construction of pond sand filters has already been
finalized. Caretaker selection, Agreement signing with the land
owner and User group formation has also been completed
timely. The construction work of 01 PSF out of 03 has been started from mid May’10
through organizing an inaugural ceremony with the presence of Local Govt.
representative including UP chairman, WPMC, Beneficiaries and others stack holder.
WPMC members are playing vital role to monitoring the PSF construction. The
construction work of 01 (out of 03) PSF has been completed in the mean time and
the construction activity of another 01 is ongoing and about 50% work has already
been completed. Finally, the construction work of all the PSFs is targeted to be
completed by end of September’2010.
Major features of Pond Sand Filter
 WPMC and the project staffs provide combined efforts for the selection of
appropriate place.
 Participatory analysis for demand estimation regarding needs of safe water
sources.
 Selection of available places for construction of PSF considering availability of
land, willingness of owner and O&M of the users etc.
 Agreement between WPMC and owner of lands with a condition of keeping
free access to collect safe water by the community;
 Formation of user committee and adopt effective processes for proper O&M
H)Water Quality monitoring test
As water travels over the surface of the land, and into the pond,
it dissolves naturally occurring minerals, leaves and vegetation,
and sometimes can pick up substances resulting from the sense
of animals or from human activity. Contaminants that may be
present in source water (before treatment) include:
Microorganisms, such as viruses and bacteria that come from
agricultural livestock operations, septic Systems, wastewater
treatment plants and wildlife Inorganic chemicals, such as salts
and metals that can be naturally occurring or result from urban storm water
In the AAN laboratory water quality was checked using UV-VIS Spectrophotometer
and other analytical equipments. After the construction of Pond Sand Filter as
alternative safe water devices about Six items, such as Nitrate, Nitrite, turbidity and
coli form were checked to confirm the safety of water before supplying it to the
community. After start drinking it is necessary to test water for arsenic and fecal coli
form on a regular basis. The test can be carried out by field engineer using simple
test kits or at a laboratory for precise measurement. It is important to establish a
system for the regular management of water quality by the Users Committee in
combination with test kits and laboratory tests.
Table-2 The result of water quality test (first time) is given bellow:
Sample water date
type
of pH
sampling
Nitrate Nitrite Chloride Turbidity Fecal
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
(NTU)
coliform
cfu/100ml
01
Raw
02
Filter
18
july’10
7.35 0.6
0.062
24.85
37
350
7.68 <0.10
0.037
24.85
3
96
I) IEC materials & hygiene promotion tools
Developing knowledge, attitude and practice level of the community on WASH is a
prior issue of the project as the survey represents a poor situation of the mentioned
issues. It focuses on conduction of the health and hygiene session at community
level. For effective hygiene promotion session conduction at community level, IEC
materials are mandatory. It helps the facilitator in disseminating the targeting issues
and messages to the audience in effective way. On the other hand, the participant
can receive the core message easily. Considering the issues, two types of IEC
materials (Flipchart, Pictorial monitoring format) will be developed considering the
level and standard of the target audience. The Community mobilizers will use the
materials confidently during the users training sessions. All the IEC materials will be
highlight the key messages. The materials will also be used during pond & PSF
monitoring. The materials help the facilitators in disseminating the key learning
effectively and easily. All the preparatory works of IEC are ongoing. We have
planned to be completed this activities by 15th August’ 2010.
J) Training for users on usage, O&M, water collection, storage etc of the system
by field staff [20 participants in a session]
Waterborne disease remains one of the major health concerns in Bangladesh.
Diarrhoeal diseases, which are largely derived from contaminated water and
inadequate sanitation, People everywhere in Bangladesh are habituated to utilize
their water in traditional system, but it is need to know the managing drinkingwater quality from catchments to consumer by maintaining Water safety plan
(WSP). The primary objectives of a WSP in ensuring good drinking-water supply
practice are the minimization of contamination of source waters, the reduction or
removal of contamination through treatment processes and the prevention of
contamination during storage, distribution and handling of drinking-water.
The survey conducted in the working area also represents that near about 80%
people of the project area were not aware of hygiene practices. Even they don’t
know the key hygiene messages. Considering the situation, project has been planned
to conduct users training on proper usage of water by the Community Mobilizers
(CM). The CMs will conduct the session at community level with the female and
adolescent group that includes 20 participants. The beneficiaries for the session
were selected following Individual questionnaire survey, technical verification,
community consultation and final approval from the water point management
committee (WPMC). And, accordingly, 713 beneficiaries have been selected from 03
working villages as target beneficiary.# of 35 user group were formed within the
selected beneficiary and 35 introductory session has been conducted through
project CM where the beneficiary have selected their group leader from the
community. The project has been planned to start this activities by Mid-late August’
2010.
The key messages will be delivered in the session are planned:
Water points:
 Keep the water sources clean and free from contamination
 Prevent people from washing near the water sources
 Inform people on the problems associate with contaminated or dirty water
 Prevent children and adults from defecating near water points e.g. ponds,
rivers, drainage systems
 Keep water containers and storage clean, washed and covered
 Encourage community to use water from PSF by maintaining water safety
plan (WSP)
K) Coordination with DPHE and local govt.
From the very outset, Bantch Shekha is maintaining liaison with the local
government bodies. Union Parishad chairman and members are cooperating at
various stages for effective utilization of limited resources. Women ward
commissioners are more active as involved with WPMC by designation. Under the
project, it conveyed hardware installation information on a regular basis to all
concern local DPHE, government departments. LGIs accumulated that information
with the government database for keep upgraded information on water supply and
sanitation coverage and existing basic facilities at the local level. Project information
are also shared with DPHE as they have mandate to serve the inhabitants at local
level on water supply and sanitation issues. DHPE is providing specialize support on
technical issues and overall coordination.
As regular intervention, a field visits were
performed in the projects areas of GDS solar
project of Banchte Shekha where 01 PSF has
already been constructed. Mr. Shudir Kumar
Ghosh Executive engineer of DPHE, Dhaka division
together with Oxfam engineer visited the 01 (out
of 03) working area of Shamkur union under
monirampur upazila. During the visits, they
identify the very small technical gaps of
constructed PSF that will ensure the quality of next construction work. They met the
community people including men & women, local village WMPC members, Pond
owner and volunteer who was involved for baseline survey. They also discussed
with vendor & mason to be aware of PSF construction and discussed about the
technical site of PSF. Project engineer and Coordinator also were with them.
Along with, since July 07, another field visit has been performed at the project
working area. Executive engineer-DPHE of Jessore division with the sub-assistant
engineer of Monirampur upazila were visited constructed PSF and other PSF site.
They also met community and various stakeholders.
8. Outcomes & Impact
I) Conduct Pre-baseline survey



Different level of people are aware on the socioeconomic and the WatSan
condition of their village, baseline survey conducting is a great opportunity
to get this kinds of information to villagers, because according to the norms
of PRA different class of people was involved here to identify the expected
information.
It was very much effective to select the village and the no. of 713
beneficiaries under the villages.
Mainly most Arsenic contaminated villages were selected to provide basic
services under the project.
II) Water Point Management committee Formation
All of the Water Point Management Committees are activated now and playing lead
role in any type of development initiative. The committee, reflecting community
participation can address all types of need and demand of the overall community. It
is now working as a united body for the community and taking lead in various social
activities.




A foundation is built under the project villages from the community
Ensured community participation to implement the project activities in the
community level.
Contributing in selecting places where hardware support will be installed,
motivating people for maintaining these and safe hygiene practice.
Moreover committee members actively engaged to implement the project
activities.
III) Construction of Pond Sand Filter (PSF) with overhead reservoir
Most of the targeted community for Pond Sand Filter would use unsafe water, as
there is no safe water option. And, it results into sufferings of the community from
various water and excreta borne regularly. Pond Sand Filter, which has been
installed as an alternative technology of safe water and it is working smoothly now.
As a result of construction of PSF, A vast no. people are already getting safe drinking
water that will prevent diarrheal disease and other water & sanitation related
disease.
IV)Water Quality monitoring test
After start drinking it is necessary to test water for arsenic and fecal coliform on a
regular basis.
Arsenic of different Sallow tube wells have been tested during the baseline survey.
So that; in villages already known to have arsenic contaminated wells. Screening the
tube wells is the first order condition in making the community sensitized against
use of arsenic contaminated water. As a result of water quality test, the arsenic
contaminated tube wells in the working area have been identified and accordingly it
has been marked red. Along with, the community has been made aware of the effect
of using arsenic contaminated water. Accordingly, the community has stopped its
use for drinking and cooking. Even, in most cases, they have stopped its use for
other purpose also. So, the community is getting free from the curse of arsenic
contaminated water. they are also gaining knowledge on the quality of PSF water.
V)IEC materials & hygiene promotion tools
As a result of developing IEC materials, Project CMs are using as teaching tool during
community awareness session. Community are influencing from the IEC materials.
9)Feedback
Surely the project of Banchte Shekha is the blessings of God for us”
… Rahima Khatun-Up member
I have received about 30 training on arsenic. I
know the bad impact of arsenic but I am really
helpless. I use arsenic contaminated water for
drinking and cooking purposes for a longtime
though know it is a poison. In my village, all water
sources are polluted by arsenic and haven’t
alternative options to collect safe water. The
nearby safe water source is virtually two
kilometers away from my house. My economical
situation and physical condition do not allow me
to hire a person or vehicle for collecting safe water from a distance place. I am
extremely frustrated for having no hope to get arsenic free water in surrounding
areas”… Rahima Khatun- a Up member, Village –Halsha, Union - Shamkur, Upazilla –
Monirampur, District - Jessore.
Mosharef hossain-An Example of diarrheal diseases
The safe water crisis is a serious problem of our
family also in our village. Banchte Shekha has tested
arsenic in my sallow tube well. About 500-600 range
of arsenic was found in my tube well. Before testing
of arsenic; we didn’t know about it and its impact.
Although we always use arsenic contaminated water for cooking and drinking
purpose as we have no alternative way. In dry season we don’t get water from my
tube well. At that time; we use pond water for drinking and cooking purpose. We
suffer from diarrhea for two times in a week. All of my family member also suffer
from different type of water born disease such as skin disease, gastric ulcer all the
year round. Personally I am sufferings from diarrhea in each year when I need
3000/- taka for treatment. We want to drink arsenic free water. Please manage the
arsenic free water for us. We want to survive- Mosharef Hossain, Halsha Village,
Shamkur Union, Monirampur, Jessore.
We are very happy for getting a Pond Sand Filter (PSF)- Jesmin
We are very happy to construction of Pond Sand
Filter (PSF) in our village through Banchte
Shekha. Firstly we were not aware about PSF
and the community people of this area ignored
PSF. Now all villagers collect PSF water for
drinking & cooking purpose as all of our hand
tube-well affected by arsenic & saline. We are
getting safe water from PSF and we hope we will
get it all the year round but we are very much
worried for pond water as it will be finished in dry season........ Jesmin, Shamkur
village, Shamkur Union, Monirampur Upazilla under Jessore District
10. Conclusion:
The project implementation process is found effective on successful completion of
different types of project activities. Community participation at various stages
accelerates the entire movement. The pilot initiative has given an apparent
indication of involving the target beneficiaries with the implementation process to
ensure effective utilization of resources. Community based participatory approaches
create ownership scene among the beneficiaries that has a direct impacts on
ensuring sustainability of any innovative processes.
10. FIELD TRIAL PROJECT OF APPROPRIATE SANITATION OPTIONS
IN FLOOD PRONE AREAS
1. Introduction
Disasters, like floods and cyclones, are almost annual events in Bangladesh. Often
post-disaster epidemics of diarrhea diseases cause more short- and long-term
health problems than injuries and other diseases. Bangladesh has a ‘national policy
for water supply and sanitation’ and ‘national strategy for sanitation’ however;
there are limited technological options for sanitation for flood prone areas. The
flood related consequences for sanitation is, latrine are damaged or washed away.
Therefore, there is a huge demand for flood resist, appropriate, socially and
culturally accepted technological options for safe disposal of human excreta in the
flood prone areas. That’s why Oxfam has initiated to do field trail of the
recommended sanitation and dislodging technologies adapt and replicate them in
Bangladesh context in targeted flood zones to contribute to reduce health risk.
2. Key information
2.1 Name of Project: Field Trial Project of Appropriate Sanitation Option in
Flood Prone Areas
2.2 Project duration: April/09 to November/09
2.3 Project cost: 3, 48,333/=
2.4 Project Location:
District
Upazila
Union
Jessore
Monirampur
Mashim Nagar
Name of
villages
Varatpur
# of
Beneficiary
21
Remarks
All are
women
2.5 Number of People Getting Sanitary latrine: 21 families
3. Objective
The overall objective of the pilot project is to do field trail of the recommended
sanitation and dislodging technologies adapt and replicate them in Bangladesh
context in targeted flood zones to contribute to reduce health risk.
3.1 Specific Objective
The specific objectives of the pilot study is to
 Identify geographic and context specific appropriate, socially, culturally, cost
effective and sustainable sanitation technologies for flood prone areas for
women and men, child and disable user friendly.
 Identify sanitation facilities which can resist to flood allowing people to have
continuous access to the facilities during and after floods.
 Identify sanitation technologies that have climate change adaptation capacity.
 Assess the social and cultural acceptance of those technologies for women
and men
 Assess the impact of inappropriate sanitation/poor sanitation in flood prone
areas particularly for women and adolescent girls
 Identify appropriate, socially, culturally and cost effective dislodging
technology for emptying the latrines’ pits and safe disposal of excreta.
 Replicate these technologies
4. Project intervention: Construction of 4 Echo-san latrine, 13 Twin pit (01
offset) latrines, 2 Drum single pit latrine and 2 single pit raise latrine.
5. Activities Progress
5.1Village Selection for the Project
A planning and village selection meeting has been conducted between Sub Assistant
Engineer (with others staff), DPHE Monirampur,Jessore and the project staffs of the partner
organizations. In this meeting, Project team met with DPHE-Monirampur with a view to
establish relationship, inform about the project and village selection for the project. DPHE
officials and staffs of Banchte Shekah are prioritize the villages according to the demands
where the project support is hardly needed. Finally, 02 villages have been finalized for the
baseline survey of the project and 01 village will be selected out of 02 surveyed villages to
provide the project support.
Staffs of the partner Organization are discussing with Mr.Niranjan Kumar
Biswas,DPHE,Monirampur about the project context and objectives.
Picture: Ibadul Kabir
Criteria of village selection for baseline survey under the project are as follows:
1. Most of the areas are affected for flood and water logging of the villages.
2. Most vulnerable people are living in those villages.
3. Minority peoples live in the villages.
4. Villages are affected by flood/water logging in every year since 2000
5. Water and sanitation condition is poor.
6. Less aware about health and hygiene.
As per discussion with DPHE and On the basis of the above criteria, finally selected villages
for conducting baseline survey are as follows:
District
Upazilla
Union
Name of Villages
# of HH
Jessore
Monirampur
Mashim Nagar
Varatpur
Laxmikantapur
02
160
145
305
01
01
01
5.2 Baseline Survey & working area selection
Preliminary village level base line survey has already been conducted according to
previous discussion with DPHE.
In this regard a structured pre-tested
questionnaire was used to collect information from respondents.
The survey collected basic household demographic information including:
• Occupation of household head
• Sex of household head
• Household size
• Level of education of household members
• Access to tube-well, latrine
• Dislodging system of pit
• Latrine Option
• Health and hygienic habit of the family members of respondent.
• Awareness about the water born diseases and preventive measures.
01 village (Varatpur) finally selected out of 02 where project support are hardly
needed.
Conducting PRA session at the beginning of project activities through project staff
Picture:Golam Rabbani
6. Beneficiary selection
A planning and maintaining the beneficiary selection criteria, at the beginning of the
project Banchte Shekha has selected # of 21 latrine beneficiaries from the project
village. With the help of Top project engineer, Project field monitor is successfully
completed the beneficiary selection for the project following bellow mentioned
criteria:
 Women or child headed household
 Main wage earners income/occupation-casual labor
 Landless families
 Less able members in HH, physically/chronically ill, elderly etc.
 More than 6 people in the HH
 Which family is using open latrine
 Where latrines are destroyed by water logging
Banchte Shekha has tried to select all vulnerable HH as latrine beneficiaries.
7. Latrine Construction
7.1 Making Ring & Slab
21 families will get various option of latrine under this project. So, there are more
than 120 rings and 35 slabs were required in this project. Banchte Shekha has given
contract to a vendor for making the rings and slabs and the whole procedures are
handled by the Top- PHEO and project field Monitor. The vendor has completed of
making rings and slabs timely according to the Oxfam rules and the engineers were
time to time monitoring the whole activities.
Making Rings and Slub
Picture:Ibadul Kabir
7.2 Construction of latrine options
Banchte Shekha has received as donation of tk 3, 48,333 /= from Oxfam-GB to
implement a Field Trial Project in Varatpur village under Monirampur Upazilla in
Jessore District. The donation is used to construct 4 Echo-san latrine, 13 Twin pit
(01 offset) latrines, 2 Drum single pit latrine and 2 single pit raise latrine at
Varatpur Village where the latrines are hardly needed for the community and the
latrines have been highly accepted by the community. The community has admired
the technology and different growth centers have put in their request for a similar
facility to be constructed. Community mobilization and sensitization has been
carried out for the community beneficiaries to know the importance of the latrine
technologies. (See annexure-1)
Project targets to installed 21 various options of HH latrine to ensure the provision
of safe latrines that meet minimum international standards and are raised above the
threshold flood water levels. In the reporting period, all latrines have been installed
following below mentioned process:
Place selection criteria:
 In villages where the water sources are under threat from poor sanitation
 All vulnerable households
 Where shelter and or livelihoods programmes are being carried out
 Latrine were destroyed /damaged by water logging
Design criteria:
The design latrine constructed at household level will depend on the water table
level and also where the normal flood/monsoon level reaches. The following criteria
have been used:

If the water table is less then 3m from the surface, raised latrines will be
constructed





All concrete rings, slub above the ground level must be sealed together for
stability
The pit must have a 1.5m gap above the water table level
The latrine will be no more than 50m from the dwelling house
The latrine will be a minimum of 30m (if not possible then definitely no less
then 10m) from any water pond or tube well
All superstructures regardless of water table level will be made from local
materials
Ways of working
Banchte Shekha has been followed the ways of working to construct the HH latrines
are described below:




Design with all the do’s and don’ts” must be prepared and shown to the
selected households on how to construct the latrine. These must be pictorial
where the level of literacy is low.
Consult communities on the of latrine and amend where appropriate
It is essential that the selected households know what assistance is being
offered regarding the latrine e.g. number of rings, squat plate, superstructure
materials, cost of labors.
Project engineer must routinely supervise and monitor the construction
activities.
Eco-San latrine
Twin pit offset latrine
Picture:Golam Rabbani
The local government authorities have played a big role in monitoring the facilities
put in place and share their ideas and experience especially during stakeholder
meetings. Community mobilization and sensitization has been carried out for the
community beneficiaries to know the importance of the Eco-san latrine. The
community of this area still requests for continued support to fight health related
diseases through construction of this kinds of latrines at household levels for the
elderly and continued hygiene and sanitation promotion.
The community contributed local labor, and land where the eco-san latrine is being
constructed.
8. Cross learning visit for Eco-san latrine beneficiaries
Eco-san latrine is a new innovation in sanitation. It is being adopted in order to
improve
sanitation.
The community of Varatpur village at large are eager to learn the usage and
adoption of the new sanitation option which can be built and can protect surface
and underground soil, and doesn’t cost much compared to the pit latrine in the long
run. Community mobilization and sensitization has been carried out for the
community beneficiaries to know the importance of the Eco-san latrine. A cross
learning visit has been conducted for the Eco-san latrine beneficiaries where the
Eco-san latrine are installed by another organization. The beneficiaries have
discussed with the local community who are using Eco-san latrine from long time.
They also discussed, especially how to use this latrine and what is the positive and
negative site of the latrine. Now they are fully aware about the Eco-san latrine. And
also they know that Eco-san latrine by products will be used as fertilizers in their
gardens to grow tomatoes, cabbage, bananas, capsicum and green pepper. It will
also lead to reduction in water, hygiene and sanitation related diseases in a way that
the people will use the facility as a disposal.
Visit Eco-san latrine at Bashbaria village of Kshobpur Upazila
Picture:Golam Rabbani
9. Field Test on Desludging Technologies
1. Introduction:
Banchte Shekha, with technical and financial assistance from Oxfam-GB, Bangladesh,
developed and implemented the Sanitation project starting in April 2009.It was a
Sanitation/Hygiene project implemented in the coastal belt of southwestern
Bangladesh. The objectives of the sanitation project included the different type of
latrine construction to do field trail with a limited hygiene education component
and desludging technologies adapt and replicate them in Bangladesh context in
targeted flood zones to contribute to reduce health risk.
Apart from latrines, excreta have to be desludged safely from latrines’ pits and
disposed of properly/ hygienically. Presently, manual desludging technique is
commonly used all over the country. When latrines’ pit is full, it should be emptied
in a way that is safe for the workers doing it, and for the surrounding population
and water sources. Safe desludging and disposing techniques are not adapting/
promoting nor by government or by NGOs. There are few developed technologies
that can be piloted and adapt in Bangladesh context.
The desludging workers should have adequate impermeable equipments (boots,
gloves, overalls), to protect themselves from the sludge.Sometimes, latrine pits can
be drained in a new pit, dug near the existing one (lower if possible) and linked to it
by a pipe or a hole. Otherwise, emptying is usually done manually (using
buckets/shovels). Both of them are not safe for doers and environment.
Alternative technologies are exist, like the desludging hand pump (Wateraid/VERC),
the Poo Pumps (Oxfam GB), or the Vacutug (UN-Habitat) for urban contexts.
Desludging hand pump
Picture:Golam Rabbani
2. When the pit fills
A person should stop using a pit latrine when it is almost full. There are two options:
one, stop using the latrine and construct a new one or; two, empty the contents and
reuse it. Often, the lack of available space or costs of constructing a new latrine
superstructure and pit means that pit emptying may be the only practical
alternative. Neglecting pit emptying requirements can have serious health and
environment consequences. As a result diarrhoeal disease, cholera outbreaks and
high infant mortality, especially in slums and poor, unplanned areas. If the users
continue to use the pit when it is full, the excreta will overflow and the risk of oralfaecal intake will increase. Thus the overall benefits of improved sanitation will
reduce substantially.
3. Key findings.
Banchte Shekha was conducted a field test on the desludging hand pump in a village
where a latrine pit was filled which is 6 feet depth. It has been taken only 20
minutes to empting the latrine pit.
The field test in Banchte Shekha has successfully improved emptying services to
poor, congested slums but there are concerns about its commercial viability. The
improvement and experimentation of the desludging hand pump is still continuing
in the community.
Advantages:
1. Removes waste safely for both workers and public health
2. It is a low odour technology
3. Fastest means with which excreta can be exhausted
4. Relatively fast traveling speeds have better possibility of economical disposal of
waste.
5. Need sort time to empting a latrine pit; Take 20 min/latrine pits (6feet depth)
6. Low operation and maintenance costs
7. Easy to operate the technology.
Disadvantages:
1. This technology has experienced difficulties with various kinds of sludge. the
desludging hand pump is unable to deal satisfactorily with dry sludge or solid
objects like stones, sticks and other rubbish.
2. Despite being ‘high technology’ it does not overcome the lack of a disposal site
3. Maintenance costs are may be high due to imported technology.
4. The weight of this machine is so high, so it is not easy to travel.
Community comments:
1. The costs should be reasonable and affordable
2. The service is good
3. The social accessibility should be satisfactory
4. The physical accessibility should be reasonable
5. People want immediate services as they only make the request for emptying
when the latrine pit is already full, and the need for emptying is very urgent.
6. The services will be hygienic.
Good quality services imply first of all reliable services, that is, if the emptying is
said to take place on a particular day, it should be done without fail. Secondly,
waiting times should be short.
The customer applies the criterion of reasonable and affordable costs on both the
quality of the services and his own financial situation at the time of emptying. The
customer wants in the first place value for money.
Empting the latrine pit by desludging hand pump
Picture:Golam Rabbani
10. Social mobilization
Through awareness-raising activities in the project working village. Banchte Shekha
is working to create demand from local communities to improve their own hygiene
behaviors, sanitation practices and water supply points. One of the key ways this is
done is through the use of community Health volunteers (CHVs) who are recruited
under Top WatSan project in the Varatpur village.
11. Monitoring
Banchte Shekha has taken a step in monitoring the latrine options at Varatpur
village. the community is still adapting to the new innovation as compared to
the community views. However the community started an adult literacy class is
in place, an instructor has been identified the training is under way. The project
engineer is time to time monitoring in weekly to collect the current situation of
latrine options by using an easy motoring format.(See annexure-2)
12. Out come & Impact
a) Different type of latrine options (Raise, Twin pit offset)
The project areas are waterlogged and coastal belt of the dangerous river
Kapotakkha and are isolated, patches, riverrine, highly backward, remote, hardship
communication, under served, deprived and underprivileged and highly disaster
prone. River erosion, tidal bore, tidal surges, over floods etc. are very much common
in the waterlogged. During the water logging period, WATSAN condition is totally
collapsed and the people need assistance to improve their water and sanitation
condition. As they are illiterate and unconscious, so, they are not aware about the
preventive measures and information about different disasters and how to
minimize their damages and losses, where as if they become aware and take
preventive measures, they can easily minimize their damages and losses.
Banchte Shekha has installed 21 different type of hh latrine under project. At this
moment, Most of the villages are affected by water logged and they have built their
house on the road or another temporary shelter. Many people are not able to use
their latrine for flood water. For this, maximum percentage of people in these areas
defecated in the open bush or fields or flood water during water logging time.
Among other problems, this practice means that children can be playing in
contaminated areas. But now, about one third of the people of this project area are
using their latrines comfortably which are installed above flood level under this
project. They are going by small boat (locally called Donga) or vela (made by banana
tree) to use their raise latrine. Some of people have made bamboo pole with the
latrine from their house to avoid flood water. Some are planted different type of
vegetable seeds on the plinth of their latrine.
Beneficiaries are using by bamboo pole
Vegetable seeds are planted on the plinth
Picture:Ibadul Kabir
o) Impact of Ecosan latrine
Ecosan latrine byproducts are used as fertilizers in their gardens to grow
tomatoes, cabbage, bananas, capsicum and green pepper.
It is also lead to reduction in water, hygiene and sanitation related diseases in a
way that the people are using the facility as a disposal.
Beneficiaries are ale to use the eco toilet by small boat
Picture:Ibadul Kabir
13. Conclusion
The project areas are waterlogged and coastal belt of the dangerous river
Kapotakkha and vabadah are isolated, patches, riverrine, highly backward, remote,
hardship communication, under served, deprived and underprivileged and highly
disaster prone. River erosion, tidal bore, tidal surges, over floods, tornado, cyclones
etc. are very much common in the waterlogged. So, every year, people lost their
lands, crops, resources, and livestock etc. and becoming landless and taking shelter
in the slums, where they have to lead a very distress life. During the water logging
period, Most of the beneficiaries of the project were displaced from their houses
WATSAN condition is totally collapsed and the peoples were living in an inhuman
condition during those days. They need assistance to improve their water and
sanitation condition .As a result the options, which were included in this project,
have very much supportive for the affected people and the project was very much
important for this area.
14. Beneficiaries Feedback
Beneficiaries Feedback-1
We feel comport to use the latrine
“We had no latrine. So, everyday I have to wake up very early in the morning and
enjoy the call of nature by the road side or in the jungle. . I have no ability to install a
sanitary latrine.Under the project implemented by Banchte Shekha I got a latrine.
Now all of my family uses the new latrine in my premise. We feel comport to use the
latrine during water logging time. Every day we clean it as per advice of Field
monitor of this project. I've consciously avoided the habit to go to jungle for
bathroom work We are very happy to get the opportunities of health and hygiene
practice..”-Perveen, Village: Varatpur, Union: Moshimnagar, Upazila: Monirampur,
Jessore.
Beneficiaries Feedback-2
Allah saved us
“I am living with my two disable person (01 my husband & 01 daughter) in Varatpur
village which is affected by water logged every year. They can use the latrine which
is provided from Banchte Shekha. To avoid the flood water, I have made a bamboo
pole for using the latrine. I had no latrine last year during flood time; I went to take
shelter with my two disable children on the road side every year flood time for this.
But this year, Allah saved us because now I have a raise latrine”- Farida, Village:
Varatpur, Union: Moshimnagar, Upazila: Monirampur, Jessore.
c. Non-Formal Education Project
9. Education for All
The project was intend to start from January 2009 but due to get the NGO bureau approval
the project has been delayed to start. From the June 2009 we start to execute the project
from May 2009.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Supplies: We start the project with 13 students in May and end of the year there are 25
students. During the period we provides Nutrition Materials, to ensure the daily
nutrition of the supported student, provides Education Materials, to facilitate the
education & continuation of the study, provides Hygiene Materials, to well being & self
hygiene. These supplies are a big step forward in making the lives of the children so
much safer and healthier. And also Tuition Support to continuation of the study in
higher classes.
Awareness & Motivation Sessions: Motivational/Awareness meetings are held
regularly during the project period, to try to make people realise their responsibilities
for the community and their role in the process of social development. The topics
include the importance of cleanliness, health & hygiene, kitchen/yard gardening,
dangers of early marriage, malnutrition and other issues.
Recent topics have included the care of pregnant mothers, health & hygiene issues,
family planning etc. We feel that these awareness sessions are helpful to the village
communities, because we have noticed that their daily lives and activities have now
changing for the better.
Guardians’ Meetings: Every month, parents/community motivator meetings are held
in community. Although most of the parents are not educated, they are all very curious
and eager to know about the progress of their children, and are particularly glad about
the improvements of the attendance in school. At these meetings, the opportunity is
taken to make the parents aware of how to look after the children properly at home
and take care of study. We feel that to discuss these issues is an important way of
moving education forward. The parents’ meetings are an effective and valuable way of
changing the social status of the villagers.
School Visits: We have been regularly visited the schools to follow-up the student
progress & attendance in class. The attendance and progress of education is improving
gradually.
5.
Medical Check-up: The Jogahati community people have lots of much lacking of
medical and hygiene awareness. For this reason, they often badly effected into skin
disease, respiratory tract infection etc.
As regular health support for the community we conducted medical camp to diagnosis
the general health problems and provide the medicine. End of the year Dr. Carmello
Italian friend of BS visited the community and provided valuable consultations, medical
check-ups and medicine to the community peoples.
6. New Recruitment: To create self-awareness, motivation and confidence to change the
community people life, we have been recruited the Community Motivator. The
community motivator also follow-up student’s progress and attendance of education.
7. Withheld & Replacement of Student: One of student has been stop to going school.
Many motivation sessions by the BS members, villagers, neighbours, school teachers
fail to bring back him to study. So he was no longer entitled to membership of the
Education for All Project, and we cancel his sponsorship. We include another student in
the replacement of him.
8. Literacy Initiatives: We gradually conducting literacy programme for the student
parents. The parents were not able to read & write their names. By the literacy
initiatives parents are now able to read & write their own names, sign their names and
collect the monthly materials.
9. Community Survey: To know the details statistics of the Jogahati Community we have
been conducted door to door survey. The survey helps us to get proper picture of the
families and the community for future development plan.
10. Sports Materials: We provided one football and two skipping-ropes to the students for
after school entertainment. It is helping students to protect from roaming
unnecessarily and preventing from harmful games/activities.
11. Christmas Greetings Card: We were sent the Christmas greetings cards to the parents
in Italy. With the greetings card a letter & family photographs of each child has been
included.
12. Annual Examinations: The Annual Examinations started on 5 December, and lasted
for eight days. All students attended in the exam.
The Annual Examinations for pre-school students were held from 12 December to 15
December. In the exam 10 students are selected for the enrolment of the primary
school in 2010.
13. Tree Planting: Last December, in Geneva Global Climate conference has been ended.
To keep in mind during the global summit Jogahati Community children planted tree to
save the planet. Adopted students planted fruits, vegetable and flower trees in the preschool compound and the house surroundings. The plantation also demonstrates
various aspects of botany, such as how plants need sunlight, different kinds of trees, the
nature of soil, etc. We hope that the plantation will prove interesting to students and
make them more eager to learn.
14. Jogahati Community Presentation: To introduce the Jogahati community to friends &
collaborators, we prepare & sent the MS Power Point presentation to Italy which is
helping to campaign the project.
15. MBS Greetings Card: Unfortunately due to printers delay the MBS greetings card not
able print in time. For the delay card has been printed in Italy. We are very sorry for the
inconvenience. We hope in next term we have the manageable time for the print.
Jogahati is an extremely poor village, and no one from the village ever went to study in SSC
(secondary school certification course or 10th grade education). The community people
have lack of awareness and self motivation. The parents just do not want to send their
children to school. There is an inborn tradition to make children work, as soon as they are
big enough. Anything that prevents this, such as regular attendance at school, is viewed
with hostility and suspicion by parents. After we started the Education for All project there,
gradually the parents start to send their children to school, and they are enjoying it. Now 25
students are attending in to the school regularly. The parents are also included in to the
literacy programme so, now they can sign their name and collect education materials.
Before the parents are not aware on value and needs of education but now they very much
concern the result of the student. The community member recently starts the movement of
“Green Jogahati, Clean Jogahati”. Through this movement community members start to
plant the vegetables seeds surrounding their homes to cover their daily vegetable needs and
clean the community to protect from the health & hygiene problems. However, the main
problem now for the villagers is a lack of regular fixed income and the proper
accommodation. There is also a higher incidence of disease in the village.
AT A GLANCE: Jogahati Community
1.
Total population of this paroi habitats are 337.
2.
In the community total 80 families are lived.
3.
Total male 166 and females 171.
4.
In the community now total 54 children going to School.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
In the community we found 4 families who don’t have any children.
We also found 10 children below 3-years of age who will be gradually enrolled in
Education for All project in a next couple of years.
12 families’ children are out of school due to over age and involving in different
occupation.
Total 169 people not able to read & write.
Average monthly income of the families are BDT 1,776 (equivalent to Euro 18).
The 100% community members using the tube-well/supply water for the drinking.
Only 0% community members have the sanitary latrine facilities. Community
peoples are using the open latrine.
Only 41% community members have their own land where they live. 4% people have
land for cultivation.
60% of the community members suffers different types of diseases such as; scabies,
hookworm, infections, arthritis etc. which mostly cause for the proper hygiene
knowledge & supplies, malnutrition and the vitamin deficiencies.
70% families are member of different organisation credit programmes for saving &
loan schemes. The most of families are involve in BS credit programme.
Till December we supported 24 student of the community. From the January we
intend to provide support to the 62 student from Jogahati paroi community and the
surroundings which will cover all the families of the community.
B. ACTIVITY SCHEDULE
Due to the fund approval the project has been five month delay for the reason we were start
the project in June 2009. During the period we have been done many activities and
distributing the Education, Nutrition & Tuition support to the students according the
following programme schedule;
SL
Particulars
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
a
General:
1
Adopted Students
13
13
13
17
18
18
24
2
Awareness & Motivation Sessions
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
3
School Visits
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
4
Parents Meeting
√
√
b
Supplies:
i
Nutrition Materials
1
Rice
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
2
Dhal
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
3
Soybean Oil
√
√
√
√
4
Salt
√
√
√
√
ii
Education Materials
1
Uniform
√
√
√
SL
Particulars
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
2
School Bag
√
3
Shoe
4
Umbrella
√
5
Copy Books
√
6
Lantern
√
7
Pencil
√
√
8
Pen
√
√
9
Sharpener
10
Eraser
iii
Hygiene Materials:
1
Body Soap
√
2
Washing Soap
√
iv
Tuition Support
v
Medical Check-up
vi
Sports Materials
1
Football
√
2
Skipping-rope
√
Nov
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
Student Name
√
√
C. STUDENTS PROGRESS REPORT:
Middle of the year we start to implement the project and from October, through community
motivator we are start to follow-up the study thoroughly. For that reason and as first year of
the project the student made little satisfactory improvement. We do hope the progress
graph will be improving more rapidly in 2010.
ID
No.
Dec
Gende
r
Ag
e
Previous
Class
Promoted
Class
School
Attendance
%
Status
0001
Sufal Mondol
Boy
11
iv
v
62%
Pass
0002
Maloti
Girl
11
i
ii
76%
Pass
0003
Dipok Kumar
Boy
11
i
ii
73%
Pass
0004
Dipali
Girl
8
i
ii
93%
Pass
0005
Jugal
Boy
11
ii
iii
35%
Pass
0006
Uttam Kumar
Boy
10
ii
iii
89%
Pass
0007
Shushil
Boy
17
vi
vi
14%
Fail
ID
No.
Student Name
Gende
r
Ag
e
Previous
Class
Promoted
Class
School
Attendance
%
Status
0008
Monika
Girl
13
iii
iv
60%
Pass
0009
Palash
Boy
12
i
ii
83%
Pass
0010
Jashuda
Girl
9
i
ii
90%
Pass
0012
Binod
Boy
9
i
ii
92%
Pass
0013
Jatish
Boy
8
i
ii
90%
Pass
0014
Basonti
Girl
9
i
ii
92%
Pass
0017
Kakoli
Girl
17
iv
v
78%
Pass
0018
Sunali
Girl
8
i
ii
88%
Pass
0020
Uzzal
Boy
9
i
i
92%
Fail
0021
Chonda Biswas
Girl
10
i
ii
77%
Pass
0022
Shuvodra
Girl
10
i
ii
85%
Pass
0023
Alryma Sakar
Girl
11
vi
vii
100%
Pass
0024
Konika
Girl
8
Pre-school
i
92%
Pass
0026
Kakoli
Girl
8
Pre-school
i
96%
Pass
0027
Netai
Boy
6
Pre-school
Pre-school
81%
Fail
0029
Chompa
Girl
7
Pre-school
Pre-school
70%
Fail
0057
Bonna
Girl
7
Pre-school
i
80%
Pass
PROJECT REVIEW & PLAN:
The Education for All project provided valuable and much needed help to the people of the
poor communities of Jogahati paroi community in Jessore. Without the Education for All
project, most of the Sponsored Student would not have gone to school and would have
stayed in their villages, with nothing to look forward to.
At the recent IDEA Onlus – Italy team visited the students of the Education for All, it is heartwarming to see how these able, confident, cheerful and articulate young boys and girls have
firmly grasped the opportunity of education, which has been given to them. It is difficult to
believe that they have come from the poorest of the poor, most neglected and outcaste
communities from Jessore.
It is also satisfying that so many parents now make the effort to send their children to
school, despite the problems they have. Through motivation, parents are increasingly
aware of the real and long term value of education.
Although, we faces some obstacles during the implantation the project such as; Delay
project start, Delay recruitment for a permanent Community Motivator position in the
community, Unavailability of the local vehicle for the field visit etc.
We do hope to over come these obstacles very soon. To continuation of the invaluable
activity of the Education for All project and overcome the obstacles, the following plan are
proposed for the renewal project;
1. More Children More Education: We hope and expecting that more students will be
enrolled in the renewal project of Education for All.
2. Housing for the Better Living: The Jogahati paroi community peoples are living in very
miserable condition. According the discussion during IDEA Onlus – Italy team visit that
a low cost housing project will be prepared for the community. The familiy will provide
land for the house construction and also physical labour will be contributed. In the
housing project the following facilities should be consider;
a. Solid Floor, Tin Roof, Bamboo ceiling & wooden frame, Tin Wall, Concrete
Pillar etc.
b. Two Room, Veranda with Kitchen
c. Sanitary Latrine
d. Smoke Less and Fire Wood Saver Oven which are Environment Friendly too
3. Community Structural Development: To community people gathering and easy
movement some community footpath and meeting place budget will prepare for fund
raising.
4. Revolving Fund for Income Generation: To ensure the regular income of the
community people a revolving fund will be appropriate for generation there income.
The fund will be use to provide interest free loan buying share to the water resource
union. Also to lease new water resources for the fish farming. A long discussion has
been made regarding this issue and hope to organise this fund by IDEA Onlus.
5. Health is Wealth - Medical Camp: To ensure the well being of the people and improve
the health & hygiene situation of the community, we are going to conduct 12 medical
camps through out the year in the Jogahati Community.
6. Quality Education Movement: To improve the students education at home and school,
the following plan shall improve the quality of the education;
a. Full Time Teacher for Pre-school & Tuition Programme: To recruiting a full
time teacher for Pre-school for the students teaching and to provide extra tuition
support for primary school student would be very important in next step of the
renewal project.
b. Literacy Programme: To provide basic education to the adults of the community
to read & write own names. Adult Literacy programme will be very effective.
c. Awareness & Motivation Sessions: To aware and motivate the community people
and children regarding the cleanliness, health & hygiene, kitchen/yard gardening,
dangers of early marriage, malnutrition and other issues meeting would be the
most important for project success.
d. Guardian’s Meeting: To follow-up student progress at home and involve the
parents, guardian’s meetings would be very appropriate and necessary. In the
meeting sessions the parents will discuss, share and aware about the progress of
their children, how to look after the children properly at home etc. The guardians
meetings are an effective and valuable way of changing the social status of the
villagers. Also help to interact between the parents-children with the project.
e. School Visits: To follow-up the attendance in school and progress of the study
community motivator school visit another vital task. End of the each month CM will
collect the student school attendance report from school.
7. Vehicle: To follow-up the student progress at school and community, a motorcycle will
be very important for the Community Motivator. The local transports are regularly
unavailable and time consuming.
8. Pre-school Modification: The BS pre-school structure has been broken for the long use
now the condition is inappropriate to carry on classes. To repair and modification of the
school we will propose a budget to IDEA Onlus.
9. New Community for the Education for All: From the January we are going to cover
one school going child from one family of the Jogahati Community. To enrol more
children in to the project we will extend the support to the new community. The
community will select according to the project specification.
CONCLUSION:
We have now come to the end of the one year’s project for Education for All, financially
supported by IDEA Onlus – Italy.
We feel that the educational facilities, which we have developed for the community, have
proved very valuable for the poor people of Jogahati Community of Jessore District. The
results will be long lasting and will contribute to the making of a better future for the
children, and, as they grow up and are able to use the education they have gained, the future
of Bangladesh as a whole will be greatly improved
10. Information Technology
Beneficiaries attend training courses at ITRAD where, a well-equipped computer center
exits. By making IT affordable to low income beneficiaries, Banchte Shekha empowers and
equips urban women to access higher incomes and attain better standards of living.
D. Floodplain Management
11. Adaptive Learning Network in Bangladesh (ALNB)
In recent year the Government of Bangladesh has undertaken several initiatives and
projects to improve local fisheries management and water resource management with or
without donor support, most involve some form of community based organizations (CBOs).
The various funded project were all time bound but had the intention of establishing
community management of fisheries, wetland or water resource structures. The major
question is sustainability. Often the essence of the projects fades out after project finishes
due to gaps in: knowledge, leadership capability, funding, technology, access to resources
and unity of efforts. Floodplain resource users are either poor and weak or rich and
influential. In mixed communities the poor are often suppress and one of the main themes
of community based management, therefore has been to encourage and empower the poor
to taken part in management and for the rich to support them.
164 CBOs are now involve in the adaptive learning network have planned pilot activities to
improve floodplain management.
Objectives of the project:
a. Testing the co-production of knowledge to improve the sustainability and
productivity of floodplain natural resource over two cycles of adaptive learning.
b. Identifying lessons and processes potentially relevant for adaptive learning
involving CBOs active in similar environment in South Asia
c. Generating comparisons between floodplain environments to improve
understanding of generic lessons and issues of context specific organizational
development and performance.
Activities of the project:
Activities
Achievement
CBO assessment
56
Baseline Survey
4
Workshops conducted on
the following issues
1
 Flood plain
1
 Water
resource
management
1
 Baor management
2 course
 Training provided
on ribbon rating
1
 Garlic cultivation
Network Formation and
1
AGM
12.
Research into Use (RIU)
Activities
CBO assessment
Baseline Survey
Workshops conducted on
the following issues
 Flood plain
 Water
resource
management
 Baor management
 Training provided
on ribbon rating
 Garlic cultivation
Network Formation
Achievement
32
3
1
1
1
1 course
1
1
Participatory Action Plan
in
Project
Development(PAPD)
12.
4
CBFM:
Community Based Fisheries Management has been closed in 2007. The project is
continuing in two Districts of Narail and Jessore as its supporting the fishers groups
with financial assistance. Nearly 45 laks taka are revolving among the people of two
districts for habitat restoration, re-excavation of ponds, fish shelter making, crops
diversification and other different activities. 7 persons are working in this project.
E. Income Generation Project/ Livelihood project
14. Handicrafts project
Jessore is an area, which is famous for its fine needlework. The women of this region utilize
their spare time in stitching Nakshi Kantha or embroidered quilts, which not only is
utilitarian but also an outlet for their creativity. BS has the traditional stitches to diversity
into other producThe main flag of BS is the empowerment of women, which is being
maintained through the involvement of women with various non-traditional activities,
especially with hand stitching. To keep this flag up the organization from its commencement
provided training on Nakshi Kantha to innumerous poor women of its different working
areas. Now, these women have become independent switchers and suppliers; they supply
their product in Banchte Shekha and also supply to the buyers of different places including
Dhaka.
Banchte Shekha has been recognized by various organizations for its high quality work in
the handicrafts sector, in 1984 Banchte Shekha, a three time winner already, won a National
Award in Handicrafts, gold medal from Bangladesh Small Cottage Industry Corporation
(BSCIC).
Objectives
 To make group member financially self-reliant.
 To create self-employment opportunity.
 To sustain the tradition of handicrafts
5. Poultry and Livestock project
People usually rear poultry birds and cattle for their own family necessity. But they do not
know how to care of them and how to protect them from the diseases. BS has taken up the
project to train the group members and to raise their awareness about the animal diseases.
The members get loan on high breed poultry and livestock. The members are able to earn at
the same time they are getting nutrition for their family. The group members are receiving
training on various issues like; Vaccination training, cow fattening training, Para vats
training and the training to rear poultry birds in modern scientific way.
Objectives
 To make group member financially self-reliant.
 To create self-employment opportunity
 To motivate group members for rearing Poultry and Livestock in scientific way.
 To encourage group members for small Poultry and Livestock farm.
16. Sustainable Agriculture Project
The socio-economic cultural condition of this area is such that a few people control most of
the arable lands; the majority has either a small piece of land or share crop or work as
agricultural laborers on others land. These are cultivated or leased out mostly by men. But
after taking their project BS women are engaged in agricultural activities. They have started
kitchen gardens in their homestead or are producing goods buy leasing land.
Agricultural activities are an important factor in food security, which is always uppermost
in the minds of BS group members. Considering all these aspects, BS has been running a
sustainable agriculture project with the following activities: Sustainable agriculture and
kitchen gardening
Activities
 Training for group members
 Technical support
 Technology transfer
 Credit support
 Participatory technology development
Objectives
 To involve group members in agriculture activities for income generation and make
them financially self-reliant.
 To create self-employment opportunity


To save environment form pollution by using organic and compost fertiliser in agro
land.
To fulfil the family nutritional demand by producing vegetable.
F. Capacity Building
18. Training
Capacity building is a key to achieve the project objectives. In the case of implementation,
training is regarded as a powerful tool to develop the skill and knowledge of the project
staff and target beneficiaries. For the successful implementation of the project, development
of human resource (HR) is a major component of BS training program. HRD training is
primary intended to raise consciousness and leadership development of the group
members and to enhance the capacity of the Para professional teachers of BS education
project.
Activities

Arrange training on various issues and practice it to change people their mode of
life.
 Arrange training on program orientation for BS’ staff
 Arrange staff deployment training (in and out house).
 Training need assessment (staff and beneficiaries)
 Arrange training on various IGA and rights related issues for group members
 Develop training related materials.
 To prepare training module and schedule.
G. Revolving Loan Fund
19. Micro Credit Program
Bangladesh is the birthplace of micro-credit. The system is now being replicated in
many developing countries all over the world. The small loan provided under this
system have generated income and it helps low income group of people to tackle
poverty. Now a days micro credit has become part and parcel of development
projects in this country where women in particular displaying enthusiasm and keen
interest in handling micro credit.
The Founder and Executive Director of Banchte Shekha walked miles after miles to
reach far away villages in the beginning of works. She ate, stated and passed away
nights after nights with women and tried to understand their actual conditions. She
realized that women posses strength, courage and willingness to understand but
lacked capital and expertise support. The women had to borrow money from village
moneylenders at high interest and had to refund it mortgaging lands and other
assets. Many a families lost everything in the process. In order to save and help
women micro-credit system was introduced from 1987. But it was difficult to carry
on the activities for poor, and helpless women under the prevalent system, as they
were not used to it. Banchte Shekha had to adopted various techniques such as
giving loan without interest and in some cases with low rate interest with long time
gap for repayment and imparting training on income generating activities in order
to accustom them about the procedures of loan transaction and to overcome social
barriers. Ms. Juliet Hunt of the Winstom Churchil Memorial Trust of Australia and
Mr. Nalini Kasynathan from Community and Abroad/Oxfam Australia visited
various NGOs and produced a report on micro finance; designed for the poor or
poorest state:
One notable exception here is Banchte Shekha, an NGO located in Jessore in
the north west of Bangladesh, which has different loan packages designed to
meet the needs of women from different socio-economic groups, including
interest-free loans, group loans, loans at 5% interest rates, and loans with
long grace periods before repayments are due, with women graduating to
market rates once they have received enough training and gained enough
regular income to be able to repay.”
Objectives:
 To help the distressed and tortured women and organize them into a united
force
 To help women for saving and to find out means of income
 To arrange reaching of banking service nearer to the door of village women
 Assisting in adding to the capital of members
 Lessening dependence on village money-lenders
 Encouraging women to play role alongside their husbands in households
 Reducing reliance of the women on others
 Building women self-confident
 Increasing dignity of women in family and society
 Increasing income of the poor community through proper direction of
limited resources
 Helping them to play role in the growth of national income
Update Information of District, Upazila & Union-based Micro-Credit Group
S.L
no.
Name
of
Distric
t
Name of
Upazila
Name of Union
Number
of Union
Number of
village
Number
of Group
01
Sadar
Chanchra, Daria, Arabpur, New
Town,
Fatapur,
Jessore
Paurosava,
Kashimpur,
Ramnagar,
Esali, Labutala,
Haibatpur,
Churamankati,
Noapara, Basundia
Vosgati, Dhakuria, Kashimnagar
14
112
275
03
10
38
Raipur, Jaharpur, Bandabilla,
Basurai,
Jamdia,
Dalgram,
Dhakhola, Shekh-hati,
Chowgasa Phulsara, Shinghjhuli, Chowgasa,
Chowgasa Paurosova, Sharupdha,
Patibilla, Hakimpur, Narayanpur,
Gagodaspur, Pasapole
Avaynagor Prembagh
Jhekorgasa Jhekorgasa
06
37
08
81
168
10
43
81
01
01
37
01
01
258
01
01
564
Shekh-Hati, Tularampur, Narail,
Mulia, Kalora, Shinghasolpur,
Vadrabilla, Basgram, Auria
Mauli, Babra-Hasla, Chachuri,
Purulia,Paruli
14
Samaspur,
Jayanti-hazra,
Gopgram, Talbaria, Shemulia,
Janipur, Moragasa, Batbaria,
Aktarpur, Osmanpur, Paurosova,
Sadaki, Kumarkhali Paurosova
09
40
60
05
42
68
14
11
82
47
128
90
02
03
04
13
Buripota, Kutubpur
Shaharbati, Dhankhola
Dariapur, Monakhali
13
02
02
02
50
06
04
05
94
07
04
05
06
Barobazar, Kola
06
02
15
09
16
13
02
Gazipur Paurosova, Baria, Bason,
Pubail, Tangi Paurosova
Tumulia
06
Phultala,
Jamira,
Siddipasa,
Dhamrail, Damodar,
Rupsa
06
Shemakhali
02
05
09
51
13
115
01
06
05
01
52
32
01
116
93
01
06
01
02
32
01
27
93
01
Jessore
Moniramp
ur
Bagarpara
Sub-Total
02
Sadar
Narail
Kalia
Sub-Total
03
02
Khoksa
Kustia
Sub-Total
04
Meher
pur
05
Sub-Total
Jhenid
ah
Sub-Total
06
Kumarkha
li
02
Sadar
Gangni
Mujibnaga
r
03
Kaligong
01
Sadar
Gazipu
r
Sub-Total
07 Khulna
Kaligong
02
Phultala
Sub-Total
08 Magur
Rupsa
02
Muhamma
a
Sub-Total
Grand -Total
dpur
01
18
01
85
01
85
01
502
On going project under Micro-credit program
 Rural Micro-Credit(RMC)
 Urban Micro-Credit(UMC)
 Entrepreneur ship Development Project(MEDP)
 Seasonal Loan(SL)
 Supporting Loan for Rehabilitation Project(SRLP)
Sector of Loan
S.L
Name of sector
01
Agriculture
02
Livestock
03
Vehicle Purchase
04
Small Enterprise
05
Groceries/Stationers Shop
06
Nursery
07
Poultry
08
Handicrafts
09
Fisheries
10
Tailoring
S.L
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Name of sector
Machinery
Pharmacy
Hotel/Restaurant
Vegetable
Cloths/Cut piece Shop
Small Garments
Land Lease
Others
20. SHAHAR Project
In terms of agreement with CARE Bangladesh and Pourashava, Banchte Shekha (BS)
started working from 2000 to improve overall household livelihood security among
the vulnerable community specially in slums and low income dwellers through
SHAHAR (Supporting Household Activities for Hygiene Assets and Revenue) Project
in Jessore and Tongi Pourashava. The goal of the project is “To protect and promote
food and livelihood security of urban poor and vulnerable households in high risk
urban areas of Bangladesh.”
Objectives
 To protect and promote household income and community resource and
assets.
 To improve hygiene and maternal child care practices of vulnerable groups.
 To create effective and sustainable institutional support mechanisms.
To achieve the above-mentioned objectives BS has been performing the activities
through the following components.
(a)
Community Mobilization and Institutional Strengthening (CM & IS)
(b)
Health Hygiene and Nutrition (HHN)
(c)
Income Generating Actives (IGA)
(d)
Minor Infrastructure (MI)
01
1066
a. Community Mobilization and Institutional Strengthening: It is a fundamental
policy of SHAHAR project that urban slum communities will only escape the various
cycles of poverty if the community and supporting institutions are actively
empowered both in understanding and in capacity terms. BS provides highest
attention to empower the community by forming CRMC (Community Resource
Management Committee) specially community based organization CDF (Community
Development Federation) and SOMIK (Sobay Milay Kori). We ensured the
representation of all classes/ and professionals to the CRMC through WBA (Well
Being Analysis). We also ensured 50 percent of Female members representation in
all CRMCs. For capacity building we organized several Training and Workshops for
them. All the committees are now performing excellent activities for the betterment
of the community. It is our great achievement that we able to reduce all types of
female violence and harassments in our working site. One more times, we sat on
meetings with drug users, sellers and shared them about it’s negative impacts in
human lives and in the society. It is our excellent achievement that we able to
establish our working area as drug and violence free zone. Our CRMCs are now too
much capable to handle all types of positive activities for the communities. With the
help of the community people, they established and maintain non-formal school
program in every community. They are now too much vocal and they can raise their
voice in everywhere to establish their rights. Meanwhile we formed the central body
of CRMCs, namely CDF / SOMIK and got registration from the Department of Social
Services of Bangladesh. Now it is completely an individual organization. We already
make plan to handover large sums of money to CDF / SOMIK accounts’ to perform
humanities and development activities for the vulnerable communities.
b. Health Hygiene and Nutrition (HHN): A major area of concern was the
unhygienic living environment and the nutritional status of many women and
children in our working areas. Through this project we aim to contribute in
addressing their problems by implementing a number of project activities. These
include water sanitation program, nutrition boosting program, and a program of
improving Health hygiene and nutrition practices. Our concerned Health and
Education officer (HEO) and health Volunteers (HVs) have been working heart and
soul to aware the entire family members through house visit and counseling about
health care. We can happily inform to all that for the cause of our honest and sincere
activities, no mother die due at the time of her delivery and no children or adult die
due to diarrhea. Not only these, we ensured Hygienic living Environment in all areas
- where we are working. Expect that we also set up NERS (Nutrition, Education and
Rehabilitation Site) in our working area. We trained up mothers how to prepare
nutritious food for the children with low cost. We also provide nutritious food and
medicine to the malnourished children.
c. Income Generating Activities (IGA): In terms of Households Lively hood
Security framework, it is of vital importance that communities are able to purchase
urban services, nutritional security as well as develop an asset-based protection
against shocks and stresses. This can only be achieved, if urban communities are
engaged in Income Generating Activities (IGA). For that reason, we favored the IGA
activities as a core component to ensure the households livelihood security to our
targeted people. Before disbursement of the IGA loan, we trained all the group
members about their respective business as well as Accounting procedures and
Financial Management training. After promoting the capabilities to the group
members, we provide loan to them. Our field staffs and officers always look after
them and advise them if necessary. We believe that we are handling human
activities through this program. Because if any borrower dies receiving loan from us,
there is no need to return a single penny from her family members to us. Moreover
we provide Tk 5000 (Five thousand) as a death claim as well as we return her
savings with Bank interest to her family members. To get these opportunities a
member has to pay one taka per week as premium of her insurance.
Besides these we are performing other activities within this program that is
vocational training. All the young generation aged 14-25 years within our working
areas are the target group for vocational training. We have been providing various
type of training to them such as Computer, Driving with license, Electronics,
Tailoring, Garments, Mobile repairing, Motor mechanic training etc. We bear full
course fees including traveling cost from the project. No money they have to pay to
us. Not only this, we also take responsibility to search job opportunities for them.
After completion of the training, we provide them respective toolbox to them from
our side. So, this IGA Activities has been performing both financial supports to
sustain small business opportunities as well as a focus on skill training for long-term
vocational rehabilitation.
d. Minor Infrastructure (MI): Generally, the poor urban settlements are
characterized non-maintained urban infrastructure. At the beginning of the project,
we found no infrastructure such as pathway, drains, toilet and tube-well in our
working areas. Mainly in rainy session, people passed their lives very painful way.
For reducing their problems by building necessary infrastructures, we organized
community gathering and ask them to find out their actual needs such as pathway,
drains, toilet tube well etc. As per their needs, we prepared a plan in a participatory
way and submit it to the Pourashava for proper action. After that Pourashava
fulfilled their needs by constructing necessary infrastructures. At present, all of our
working areas are decent looking and well communicated. Now, respective CRMCs
are playing the key role for it’s maintenances and the community people are living
in hygienic and nice environment.
21. Cultural Activity
From the very beginning, Banchte Shekha believed in using culturally based techniques for
awareness building and training. As the illiteracy rates are high, Banchte Shekha feels it
imperative to find creative and innovative ways to deliver the essential messages of the
education programmes. Group members are motivated and moved by the ideologies, which
take shape and form in songs, poems, rhythms and drama.
Angela Gomes has been a pioneer of this method and over the years designed and composed
much of the cultural content used today. This has proven to be a very effective tool to
deliver the messages and highlight the struggles faced by the women of Bangladesh.