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NGO Movement in Bangladesh

World Vision: Standing by the Poor

by Bernard Gomes
WORLD Vision Is a non-profit, interna-Uoi.s. humanitarian organization dedicated to serving the poor and needy through development and relief/rehabilitatlon programmes around the world Dr Bob Pierce, an American war correspondent, touched by the situation of abandoned children in Seoul. Korea during the war. started the organization In 1950.
As the years passed World Vision's concern spread from Koiea to nearly all the coun tri. s in the developing world Today, it works over 102 coin tries touching lives of millions of children and adults with diverse programmes of poverty allevia lion, health care, community development and relief and rehabilitation.
As one of the major NGOs. World Vision has received wide recognition by the United Nations which has bestowed on ti a consultancy status.
Involvement in Bangladesh Historically World Vision first became involved in Bangladesh in 1970 following
the devastating cyclone which hit the coastal region of the country causing massive damage of Ilves and properties. World Vision s le lief response totalled USS 200.000 in aiding the iv clone victims During the W.n ot uberation in 1971 the or gaiization assisted Bangladesh refugees in India with relief materials
in 1972. World Vision ot flclally began operating in Bangladesh concentrating mainly on relief and rehabili tation work in the northern pait of Bangladesh Soon Ms programmes were expanded to Incorporate other areas o( human needs (urrendv World Vision is working in 25 districts of the country serving a n.ually some 6.00.000 p'’"le with various human development programmes such as education health, skills training, in come generation, women de velopment. agricultural rehabilitation and emergency response.
Working in Partnership with the Poor
World Vision has a distinct approach to work in partner ship with the poor. Together
we work to release their skills resources and potentials to overcome the forces of poverty Community development is at the heart of our activities because we believe that In most cases It is only in the context oi vibrant, healthv communities, the Intel esl of Individuals can best lie screed
Community development projects arise out of close collaboration between field workers and community represent atives Community people are assisted to plan and select their own pro Jecls choose their own priorities and participate in project activities For it is the people s own commitment and sense ol ownership that underpins sustainable devel opmerit World Vision tries to promote In the < (immunities
Providing Education to Children and Adults
Children are central to all World Vision activities. We provide needed assistance to
build the lives of the needy children the luture of the nation. Through sponsorship programmes, poor children living in the urban slums and rural communities receive full educational support, medical care and in many cases skills training opportunities. Currently, the organization is providing educational assistance to some 1.50.000 children of whom over 68 000 are directly supported through sponsorship scheme
Rubina Begum, a Dhaka slum-dwelling girl is one good example of how World Vision s sponsorship pro gramme is making a differ-em e in the lives of the needy children Living in a 16x6' shack near Mohammadpur Ring Road. Rubina s father, a <1.iy labourer was hardly able io feed his five children let alone the educational ex penses. World Vision s spoil
sorship assistance however, changed her life In 1991. Ri liana passed her SSC examination in first division with two letters Its continued assistance enabled Rubina to get enrolled in the Honors course of the University of Dhaka
World Vision also imple ments non formal rihoa-tional programmes for adults and adolescent girls who haven't had the opportunities to receive education or dropped out of school for marriage or poverty The literacy classes are held in informal and participatory at tnosphere where illiterate men and women share their1 problems and seek solutions unitedly In 1994 a total of 1." 112 adults received functional education. Following completion of six month literacy courses, the learners are encouraged to form savings groups for their eco-
nomic development.
Enhancing Income
World Vision places enormous Importance on in i reasing Individual and family income Our economic devel opment efforts aim at empowering the poor with knowledge skills opportunities and options so that they wiav find a way out to break i lie vicious cycle of poverty Through skills training and loan schemes families are assisted to start income gen eration activities to gain economic solvency
Loans are channelled through small cooperative groups formed in their com mu nit les on easy interest. World Vision in 1994 disbursed about Tk I 99 53.194 (US8 498 829) Io different men and women involved with World Vision With assistance from the organization many have tieen able to get awav from the liondage of poverty and lead i happy and dignified life
Apart from the loan schemes World Vision also operates other economic development programmes to benefit poor families. These include a tailoring project. a book binding project and a wood turning project.
The Tailoring Project has been one of the major economic development programmes World Vision has been operating since 1991 The purpose of the project is to create employment oppor tunlties lor destitute people especially the women who earlier had taken sewing or tailoring training but could not use thetr skills due to lack of capital or opportune ties Currently the project employs over 70 men and women who makes a monthly income averaging Tk 3.000
The Book Binding Project provides employment oppor tunlties to blind people giv ing l hem a hope for a survival with dignity and honor as contributing member of the
society Binding books for different World Vision supported schools and other NGOs. the blind workers could earn over Tk. 2.000 (USS 501 a month
The Wood Turning Project in Dhaka provides training to unemployed youths in wood carving and help them produce and market wood craft items
Reducing Child Mortality
Child health problems in Bangladesh are enormous with nearly 2 OOO children dving each day because of preventable diseases World Vision s child survival pro ject- m Dhaka. Chittagong and Khulna provide immunization. Vitamin-A capsules, health education and family planning services te mothers and children Our regular health programmes include provision of clean drinking waler sanitation through in’ st illation ol tufiewells and latrines and giving curative healthcare.
In 1994. about 3.779 children received EPl vaccines from the child survival projects before their first birthday while a total of 20.701 women of child bearing age were immunized against tetanus in the same period.
World Vision also responds to critical health needs of individuals, especially children through Social Welfare Outreach Project in Dhaka
Providing Dignity to Women
World Vision is committed to helping women gain proper place in the society and redressing injustices they face in the male-dominated society. Our women development and girl child programmes promote gender issues, provides educational and skills training and ensure credit facilities lor poor
women. World Vision also places emphasis on involving - more women in leadership and management positions.
Mitigating Emergencies
Responding to emergencies is one of the World Vision's prime objectives. It prevides rapid response to victims of war. floods, drought, famine and cyclones glv ng them life-saving assistance of food, shelter, clothes and medical care. After the devastating cyclones of April 1991. our relief and rehabilitation assistance totalled Tk 1 1.07.88.560 (USS 3.077.460). World Vision has also built 11 cyclone shelters along the coastal area at a total cost of Tk. 7.60.00.000 (US $ 1.9 million).
Our Finances
World Vision's funds come mainly from individual donors known as sponsors A World Vision loan enable to raise chicken to bring economic solvency to family.
Hving in many different countries in the world. Besides this. World Vision also receives financial resources from government aid agencies such as Overseas Devel opment Assistance (ODA). AIDAB. USAID and CIDA.
We have recently started to raise funds in Bangladesh through various means such as sales of T-shirts, greetings cards and 20-hour famine programme. We are also looking forward to acquire individual sponsors in future to support our programmes io help thousands of poor children in this country.
"or the last 23 years World Vision has been a beacon of hope for thousands of distressed and despairing people in Bangladesh. Our vision is to work towards a society transformed through practical exp ssion of love, a society in which all people will be able io meet their ba; sic needs of body, mind and spirit.