Successes
Allow us to introduce our objectives, our ongoing programmes,
and our accomplishments.
The Dhaka Project was founded by Maria
Conceicao,
an Emirates Airlines flight attendant, who on her first trip
to Bangladesh, was moved by the extreme poverty in Dhaka.
Our objective is to bring new sources
of income to some of the poorest people of Bangladesh. The emphasis is
placed on supporting sustainable development, particularly
with children. Our goal is to use local resources where
ever possible to support local economy and work longevity.
How do you help the social and intellectual development
of some of the poorest Bangladeshi population? At The
Dhaka Project, we are currently focusing on three key
attributes:
Children’s Education
Development Programme
The children are selected
from low productivity – low-income
families living
in slum areas. The programme caters to children aged
4 and above and provides them with education along
with daily basic needs such as food, school uniforms, books,
stationery material, raincoats, shoes, socks and toiletries. A
Computer Learning Center, library and sport and recreational
activities are available
Women’s
Skills Development Programme
The women’s
programme involves training in English language, tailoring,
beautician skills, and fabrication of handicrafts. The
ladies are also provided with daily meals, stipend salary
and raw materials. Courses last between six months to one
year and on completion of training, efforts are being made
to place the women in jobs of their specialization.
In order to help the women focus
on learning their skills effectively and in
a timely manner,
a pre-school/day care facility is offered to all the
participants’ children.
Men’s
Skills Development Programme
The men are admitted in a driving school and undertake
English language classes. In addition, the project has a
small fleet of Rickshaws, which the men may rent out to earn
supplementary earnings, welding and carpenter workshops are
available.
In
order to do these activities and to support suitable employability:
hygiene, medical and welfare needs are critical. With this
in mind, basic homes are provided with clothes and food.
In addition, medical and dental center is available. W hen
needed The Dhaka Project provides funds to poor
families for essential medications.
Accomplishments:
Since
envisioning the project in April 2005, we have accomplished
quite a bit. As of March 10 th 2007, here are some examples:
44 families
have made the successful transition from the slums of Dhaka
into stable housing.
A
school has been setup and 145 children
(aged 4 and above) are
attending. We also fully support
491 children who are attending in local education.
The
same school is utilized for adults to teach basic reading & writing
English courses as well as general knowledge, hygiene,
family planning and etiquette classes in evenings.
A day
care center and pre-school has been setup and has 50 young
children attending.
All
our children have been vaccinated against Hepatitis, Polio
and Typhoid.
A
sewing/handcrafts training center has been set up and successfully
trained 80 women.
As
a contribution to the community we placed 50 rubbish
bins and 3 water pumps in our local area. This will
keep the environment of our kids clean and hygienic.
To
make The Dhaka Project independent and self sustaining
we established an internet café, grocery store,
and clothing store.
Help us achieve bigger goals
A very good beginning indeed. However,
without your help, we cannot envision bigger dreams. Help
The Dhaka Project achieve
loftier goals of sustainable development by donating to a
noble cause. We need your help.Thanks a million!!!
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