Today, the BASTOB Initiative for People’s Self Development joined hands with Microcredit Regulatory Authority and other NGOs to pay homage to the great leader, Bongobondhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, on his 104th birthday.

 

The program was held at House 32, Dhanmondi, where people from all walks of life gathered to commemorate the remarkable life and legacy of our nation’s father.

 

Bongobondhu’s legacy as a visionary leader and champion of the people continues to inspire generations. His unwavering dedication to the principles of democracy, social justice, and freedom laid the foundation for the independent and flourishing nation of Bangladesh.

 

Through various activities, the event reflected on Bangabandhu’s unparalleled contributions to the nation’s independence and his enduring vision for a prosperous society.

 

         

On 29th February 2024, The Goethe-Tagore Academy (GTA) witnessed a vibrant display of athleticism and cultural expression during its Annual Sports Day 2024, held under the supervision of the BASTOB Initiative for People’s Self Development. Thirty-three students actively participated in the day’s festivities, showcasing their talents and fostering a spirit of sportsmanship in a meticulously organized environment. In order to facilitate a competitive competition and encourage sportsmanship, students were strategically divided into three groups: KA, Kha, and GA.

The diverse program offered 21 events, including classic races (100-meter dash), culturally-inspired games (Vitor Bahir, math race), and playful activities (cock fighting [likely non-violent], pillow passing, marble race). Students displayed their enthusiasm throughout the day’s energetic competitions. The atmosphere crackled with enthusiastic cheers and applause as students displayed their athleticism and competitive spirit. Students captivated the audience with a vibrant program of singing, dancing, and poetry recitals, showcasing their talents with pleasant enthusiasm. A concluding prize-giving ceremony marked the end of the cultural program.

The Goethe-Tagore Academy’s 2024 Annual Sports Day proved to be a resounding success, highlighting the crucial role that sports and extracurricular activities play in fostering holistic student development. This well-rounded approach equips students with the necessary skills and confidence to thrive both within and beyond the classroom. 

 

                                    

From February 8th to 10th, 2024, BASTOB proudly participated in the Suponno Somahar: Environment-Friendly Microenterprise Fair 2024, organized by PKSF (Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation). This event served as a platform for microenterprises to showcase their environmentally conscious products and initiatives. BASTOB, committed to sustainable development and empowering micro-entrepreneurs, showcased its range of products across different stalls, captivating visitors with innovative machinery and electric products.We believe in the transformative power of microenterprises. Through our programs and support, we empower individuals to create sustainable livelihoods while fostering environmental stewardship. The Suponno Somahar provided an ideal opportunity for us to highlight the incredible work of our micro-entrepreneurs and the impact of their endeavors.

 

Throughout the event, BASTOB SEP team engaged with visitors, sharing insights into our mission, production processes, and the stories behind each product. We were thrilled to witness the enthusiasm and support from attendees who appreciated our focus on environmental responsibility and social impact. Many visitors expressed interest in collaborating with BASTOB and supporting our micro-entrepreneur’s journey toward sustainable prosperity.

 

BASTOB remains dedicated to expanding opportunities for micro-entrepreneurs, promoting eco-friendly practices, and contributing to a more sustainable future. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) for organizing this impactful platform and to all those who visited our stalls and embraced our vision for a better world. The Suponno Somahar 2024 was a resounding success for BASTOB, reaffirming our commitment to sustainable development and showcasing the potential of microenterprise to drive positive change. We thank everyone who visited our stalls, engaged with our team, and supported our micro-entrepreneurs’ journey toward a more prosperous and environmentally friendly future. Together, let’s continue building a world where entrepreneurship thrives, communities prosper, and the planet flourishes.

 

 

      

 


Implementing Partner: BASTOB-Initiative for People’s Self Development.


No of Beneficiary: 150 learners (50 in each branch) and 75 Master Craft Person (MCP)


Target Group: 14-18 age school dropout youth group (Male 40% and Female 60%)


Coverage Area: Harbang & Sobuj Bazar (2 branches in Harbang & 1 in Sobuj Bazar)


Goal: Strengthen social cohesion and reduce fragility by mitigating the negative consequences of the Rohingya Crisis on vulnerable communities in Cox’s Bazar.


Trade: TDMF (Tailoring and Dress Making-Female), TTMM (Tailoring and Dress Making-Male), IST (IT Support Technician), MPS (Mobile Phone Servicing), MSM (Motorcycle Service Mechanic), BSF (beauty Saloon-Female)


Activity Summary: Partnership Reinforcement for Integrated Skills Enhancement (PRISE) is an apprenticeship-based project implemented through a partnership with local NGOs. In the guidance of BRAC, BASTOB paired the apprentices and placed them under the guidance of ustads/master craftspeople who already run their own businesses and have been trained on competency-based training techniques. BRAC provided multiple skill development training to BASTOB master craft persons (MCP) on their particular trades, focusing strengthen our 150 school dropout learners. After the training, leaners now go to their respective MCP’s shop 5 days per week and 1 day for soft skill class at BASTOB office. Soft skills training focuses on developing skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Soft skills are personal skills that usually directly complement hard or technical skills. BASTOB Peer Leaders (PL) who conduct the class play a big role in equipping young, impressionable students with the right soft skills.


Success Story: Skills development is an urgent need because of the high number of the underemployed youth groups in Harbang & Sobuj Bazar areas. After the orientation of parents and learners in BASTOB office, they all are now aware of the importance of skill development trainers for their children. Above 70% of the trainees start earning money after receiving the training. Parents come to BASTOB Harbang & Pekua office and submit related papers/documents for enrolling next year’s new participants where the female student rate is higher. The quality of working methods currently being done in various trades is satisfactory.


There are currently two trades ahead. In these two trades, TDMF and BSF, students have started earning by learning to work. Parents and students are showing more interest in learning to work in these two trades. BASTOB believes the number of trainees in these two trades will increase a lot next year. The quality of work of person with disabilities (PWD) students is satisfactory. Supervision and monitoring have been increased for them to complete their work separately in MCP, TT, and Peer Leader classes. It is expected that they will be able to complete the work as per the target by next January.


Challenges:

  • To identify 14 to 18 years old school dropout trainees.
  • To identify experience MCP with theoretical knowledge of their trades.
  • Lack of interest of community people to attend any skill development training.
  • To identify school dropouts and disabled students.
  • Inadequate materials in MCP workshops.
  • No provision for any covid-19 items in the budget during parent meetings, market committee meetings, technical trainers meetings, and Peer leader’s training.
  • Insufficient travel and internet bills for Program Organizers (Pos).

SU-CHALA: “SAVE URBAN CHILDREN FROM HAZARDOUS JOBS AND ASSISTANCE FOR LINKING WITH THE ACADEMY”

Su-Chala has completed its 7 years of activities with working children. At present there are 32 boys and girls who are getting stipends. Each student gets Tk. 500/- per month for study contingency and yearly Tk. 800/- for school dress and books. All the children are selected from BASTOB’S project areas and mostly from Keraniganj and Uttara Thana of Dhaka district. Women headed poor families are considered as priority stakeholders of the project. The major objective of Su-Chala project is to ensure basic education for the poor working children.

SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE PROJECT MACHINERY & ELECTRIC PROJECT:

 

PKSF in collaboration with the World Bank designed a microenterprise development project

titled “Sustainable Enterprise Project (SEP)”.

  • The goal of this project is to increase the adoption of environmentally sustainable practices

by targeted microenterprises (MEs).

  • The proposed project will support microenterprises in agribusiness and manufacturing

Clusters with a focus on areas that are environmentally stressed and/or vulnerable to climate

change and natural disasters.

Machinery & Equipment is an important sub-sector of the overall manufacturing sectors

in Bangladesh and it is fueling the growth of many other industries in the country. Around

34 Light Engineering (LE) clusters are spread over 18 districts across the country. Its

Market size stands at USD 12 billion, projected to grow to USD 25 billion by 2025.

Local production meets only 50% of local demand, creating tremendous scope for

import substitution

  • Due to the lack of modern machinery, skilled manpower, and proper access to finance,

the MEs cannot maintain the proper quality of the product at a competitive market price.

Thus a significant amount of machinery and equipment is imported, which exhausts a

million dollars each year.

 

 

 Overview of the Sub-Project

Economic Activity (Sub-sector)  Spare parts manufacturing (Machineries and Equipment)
Title of the Sub-project  Sustainably developing industrial spare parts and equipment  manufacturing workshops by adopting environmentally  sustainable practice
District  01 (Dhaka)
Upazila/ Thana  02 (Keraniganj, Jatrabari)
Branches  05 (Kholomora, Rajendrapur, Delpara, SaluliaDonia and  Dholaikhal)
Number of MEs (covered by PO)  500
Project Duration  2 years

HEALTH PROJECT

Health Service Centre is a project of BASTOB supported by Anukul Foundation. The project has successfully completed its 9th year with the continuous support of Anukul Foundation. The aim of the project is to ensure basic health education and primary treatment of microfinance clients and their family members who are living around BASTOB Badaldi, Uttara, & Dhaka branch office areas. BASTOB and Anukul Foundation jointly started this journey on 1st July 2011 considering the health awareness and treatment need of the microfinance clients and the local community. This health support program has given a lot of positive impact to the clients as well as the organization to carry out the microfinance project activities. This health project is addressing the various health needs like mother, child and adolescent health and education, basic treatment, women pregnancy care with the support of Iron and calcium tablets for each poor women, refereeing to hospital, MBBS doctor support, ensuring discount support of medicine and medical tests from the local pharmacy and local clinic.

The objective of the report is to give an overview on implemented total activities which have carried out during the reporting period that is 1st July 2021 to 30th June 2022.

The objectives of the health project are:

  • To address the primary health care needs of BASTOB clients as well as their family members.
  • To reduce the family diseases of Microfinance members and local community by providing health awareness education and basic treatment by the Paramedic and MBBS doctors supports.

From August 25, 2017 the Rohingya people started to enter to Teknaf Sub-District of Cox’s Bazar District by the river Naf. Thousands of Rohingya victims crossed this river within just one day. From the 1st day to till date there over one million Rohingya Refugees are living the Ukhiya and Teknaf sub-districts of Cox’s Bazar district. These Rohingya people are victim torture of the Myanmar army where this Rohingya Community were tortured, raped, killed, burned and forced to migrated in Bangladesh.

BASTOB immediately started its emergency relief operation from the surplus money of microfinance. Gradually some other donors came forward with BASTOB to assist the Rohingya people. Some of BASTOB’s efforts are as follows:

Distributing of Non Food Items among 1600 Rohingya families with 600 Children dress support:

Unchiprang Camp, Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar where living around 45,000 Rohingya Communities was selected for the project local considering the 1st phase work and need of the communities. The camp is divided in 5 blocks like A, B, C, D and E. In the 1st phase BASTOB work only in the block A where distributed 400 families Non-Food Items (NFIs). As there was huge demand of the given materials from the community as well as from the local Army camp, BASTOB continued with this camp for 1600 more families who were living in the block B, C, D and E and each block received 400 family kits. There were also given 600 babies dresses to cover babies dress crises. There were provided 19 items among the 1600 families. List of NFIs Distributed are as follows:

The above materials were highly accepted by the community and army camp. All of them found very happy while receiving the materials.

Construction of 60 Toilets:

To construct these 60 latrines sets there was collected the list of the WASH sector and find out the gap of the latrines those are needed for the community. Through the list, all the point was physically verified and check the need of the locality. GPRS data was collected for each latrine before the installation of the latrine and after the completion this data was verified.

There were several designs which were produced by UNHCR and approved by the Department of the Public Health. One of the designs was taken by BASTOB to work on it which was double pit latrines consisting 10 x 2 = 20 rings of 48” diameter each.

The construction of the latrine was combined with Outside Tin Shed, inside RCC Pillar and wooden frame, finished brick floor with ceramic pan.   All the latrines were equipped with water pot, soap and with cleaning liquid and brushes.

Total 60 Latrines were provided in different zone of Leda, Camp. Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar and the specifically 1. South Alikhali Zone D, Camp No. 25 – 16 Sets Latrines, 2. Leda Extension Camp Zone B Camp No. 24 total 20 sets latrine, 3. West Leda Camp Zone A – total latrines sets 24.

Construction of 60 Bathhouses:

Women of the Muslim Rohingya families are not used to use commonly bathrooms. The bathhouses are more important than their 3 times meals. Women are found very happy getting this facility at their door. Most of the NGOs have provided toilets but they did not provide bathhouses for these Rohingya Communities. BASTOB provided 60 bathhouses at the Leda Camp, Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar with other 60 toilets.

Total 60 bathhouses were provided in different zone of Leda, Camp. Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar and the specifically 1. South Alikhali Zone D, Camp No. 25 – 16 Sets Latrines, 2. Leda Extension Camp Zone B Camp No. 24 total 20 sets bathhouses, 3. West Leda Camp Zone A – total bathhouses 24.

Bathhouses are also well equipped with necessary water pot, water container, soap and soap box and cleaning brushes.

Formation of Hygiene Promotion Committee:

There are formed 60 Hygiene Promotion Committees who are responsible to maintain these latrines and bathhouses. They will ensure cleanliness of the toilets and bathhouses regular basis. They are also advised to ensure cleanliness materials once it is finished.

Provide Training to the Community use and maintain the Toilets and Bathhouse:

There are provided orientation session to the Rohingya communities who are direct user of the latrines and bathhouses. Children, women and men were the part of this orientation. They are orientated on personal and family cleanliness. BASTOB health Promoters have provided this orientation to the community visiting door to door. Object of this orientation was to make them clean themselves as well as provided WASH infrastructures.

Installation of 5 Rainwater Harvesting Points:

Water crisis is one of the most important crises in the Leda Camp both for the Host and Rohingya Communities because of sea site. Considering this crisis BASTOB and HELP e. V. found an alternative source of water that is installation of rainwater harvesting points. BASTOB has provided 5 rainwater harvesting points using the roof of toilet and bathhouse as the pilot basis. Rohingya communities will be able to capture the water during the monsoon and overcome the water crisis. There is provided a 500-liter water tank with necessary pipe fittings to capture the water while raining.

Rainwater Harvesting Points GPRS Data:

Water Tank and Water Distribution Point:

Site improvement work 450 Feet street repairing:

Moving on mud-street was very difficult for both the host and Rohingya communities who are living around the Leda Camp West. The Site for this work was requested by the IOM who are responsible for the site improvement work of all Rohingya Camps situated in Leda, Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. BASTOB team visited the site and found the necessity of this road for the host and Rohingya Communities. Finally, site was selected and started the work. A total of 450 feet road was repaired with sands and bricks. This work was highly appreciated by all the communities living around west Leda Camp.

Site Improvement GPRS Data:

BASTOB started online monitoring/surveillance of its microfinance program. The program is managed through online based software. The abnormal transactions and information discrepancy are being monitored frequently. On the other hand in order to establish linkage between member and administration, a call center based monitoring system has been also established. A 3 member qualified team has been appointed. They are calling clients over ip phone and taking client feedback about the services provided by BASTOB. The service system has been started from September 12, 2018 after providing necessary training to the staffs.

With the assistance of BASTOB, the kitchen-tool maker Mohammad Jahidul Islam, of Atibazar village-market, Keraniganj, crossed the high way of struggle and stepped in the International Trade Fair Dhaka 2017. We call it serendipity because although we (BASTOB) partnered with Jahid for three years only, his patience and persistence made him a champion. People including many BASTOB-members were astonished and widened their eyes seeing Jahid in his own shop in the Trade Fair.

It was incredible even to the BASTOB-staff when Jahid explained his plan to display his tools in the Trade Fair but finally it became true. We are proud of Jahid because of his belief in self-development. From a tiny thatched shed in a village market Jahid built a small household tools industry at Atibazar (Keraniganj, Dhaka), where 32 persons are working in the factory. On the other hand 24 persons are engaged for marketing and sales promotion all over the country. Jahid’s dream, proper use of fund and management skills brought him this outstanding success through a loan of Taka five hundred thousand only.

BASTOB analysis shows that Jahid was able to adapt SMART (S-specific; M-measurable; A-achievable; R-relevant; T-time bound) goal which he learnt from BASTOB trainings. It would not be too much to say that Jahid’s success stands for BASTOB’s vision.