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Bangladesh: Spotlight on children

Help for children in Bangladesh

"The hunger and the water are making our children sick.", Sondha, a young mother from Nilphamari, one of the poorest regions of western Bangladesh, says. 90% of Nilphamari's children are malnourished, most of its potable water is contaminated. KNH supports an innovative project giving this area's residents a better future.

55104_205x214_797x834_200x19Picture: Jörg Denker 
Anita is the youngest of three siblings. She often feels sick and weak. In Nilphamari, the well water is contaminated - with arsenic, the people say. Many children are ill. Anita's father works as a day labourer in a rich farmer's fields. He works hard and gets badly paid. He does not earn more than eight Euro a month. "That is not enough to take proper care of our children.", Sondha complains, "They can just eat a little rice once a day."

KNH's local support (Project 26801/AA/12)
For two years, KNH has been supporting a project ensuring sustainable improvement in the living conditions of Nilphamari's residents - especially women and children. "We first try to understand the families' problems and experiences, then we develop suitable solutions together.", project in-charge Richard describes the project's basic approach. "It is important to let the people participate. Not until then our help can be sustainable."

The Self-Help-Approach - Sondha participates
The project's main focus is on self-help-groups. Sondha, too, has been a member of such a group since a short while. "I meet 20 other women once a week. Together we save money which we then loan to the group members.", she recounts. The principle is simple: Every woman puts aside ten Taka - about twelve Eurocents - a week. The savings are being loaned in turn. "I used the money to buy eggs from our neighbours.", Sondha relates. "My husband resold them to small shops and restaurants in town. With a dozen eggs, we made a profit of 24 Taka." This was a good idea: Sondha already paid back her loan. In order to implement bigger projects, the self-help-group receives small credits from banking institutes. "Thereof we purchased a market stall and do now sell vegetables."

 

55105_205x136_1280x853_0x0Picture: Jörg Denker 
Spotlight on children
Sondha learned that she can do much to help her family. Her group gives her hope and strength. Project-in-charge Richard points out: "The project's main stress is on self-help-groups. We work with the poorest of the poor from ten villages. Children are the centre of the project work." Like Anita and her siblings, these children get one additional warm meal a day. They receive vitamin pills and medical treatment. "We want all children to attend school. Their parents have to understand the importance of education."

Everyone participates
The project plan includes the construction of 50 arsenic-free wells. Moreover, Nilphamari's residents learn agricultural farming methods. They are provided with seeds and lay out vegetable gardens. Like Sondha, many women attend workshops to get information about nutrition and family planning.

Being strong together
The project concept works out: "We have already established 80 self-help-groups which more and more women show interest in.", Richard says proudly. And it goes even further: "Chosen representatives from all groups meet once a month. Together, they have the power to get important projects approved and financed by the government, e. g. providing a village with power supply. Thus, one person's voice carries much more weight." And everybody gains from it - especially the children.

Please help the children in Nilphamari by making a donation:

Contact:
Eastern Europe Desk
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If we receive more donations than we need to realize the project described above, we will invest your donation to support a similar project.
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