SUS Bulletin

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Period: July-August 2010

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Editorial

In recent days, different problems have been creating due to deterioration of familial, societal and cultural situation of the country. Recently, the issue “Eve teasing” has come into light/focus. The general girls are very much depressed by the types of collecting joys of vagabond boys. The girls are loosing their confidence. They are going to neglect the present societal situation. Many girls are taking the ways like suicide as a media of freedom due unbearable mental torture.

Introducing law on eve teasing is not yet enough; also need to aware mass people.

It is possible to restrain the youth from this type of hated task by practicing friendly culture, quality education and using law properly. We can make a prosperous Bangladesh by the collective effort of mass people. 

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“We can make our village home as an environment friendly farm”

                                                                                                                             Md. Tafsir Uddin Khan

 

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Caption: The chief guest deliberating his speech.

“Eeverybody should work for environmental development from their respective level in the society. “We can make our village home as an environment friendly farm”. We have to work to aware the farmers about soil and using of fertilizers in soil. We have to motivate people not to catch local fishes from different open water bodies for a certain period of time. A provision for credit can be created for the fishermen by preparing true fishermen list. Initiative will be taken to aware the students of school and college for keeping environmental balance”.

Professor Md. Tafsir Uddin Khan, Upazila Chairman, Netrakona sadar, Netrakona deliberated above-mentioned speech as a honorable chief guest in a seminar on “Environmental problem of Netrakona: Our duties and responsibilities” by the joint         collaboration of SUS and SUPRO at SUS-Conference room on 30 August 2010. Mr. Shyemolendu Paul, Secretary, press club, Netrakona presented the key paper on “Netrakona - a fertile land is now the risk of environmental hazard”. The other speakers were: Professor Motindra Sarker, president, SUPRO, Netrakona district, Syeda Monira Akter Khatun, renowned urban developer, Shoupon Kumar Paul, director-SUS, Sakiba Khatun, Deputy Manager-program-SUPRO, Sahida Pathan Daizy, president-Mohila parishad-Netrakona, Rehena Siddiqi-secretary-Mohila parishad-Netrakona, Babul Chakraborty-sub assistant agriculture officer, Farmer’s leader Md. Alauddin, Mustafizur Rahman-general secretary-UDICHI-Netrakona, A.T.M Razzak, general secretary-Mitali Sangha-Netrakona, Professor Anwar Hasan, Ishak Uddin-BARSIC, Motilal Hajong, Executive director- Hajongmata Rani Rashmoni Kalyan Samity, Ali Osman, assistant head master-Abbasia high school and Jibon Dey Shyemol, coordinator-SUS.

Government officials, people’s representatives, development workers, cultural workers, teachers, adibasi leaders, journalists and representatives of different classes and professions participated in the seminar.

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Mobile Health Service Camp on Disability

A mobile health service camp on disability under the title of “Promotion Integration of Physically Handicapped in RIIP-2 Rural Area Bangladesh” by the financial assistance of Center for Disability in Development (CDD) and Second Rural Infrastructure Improvement Project (RIPP-2) was organized at Sabalamby Hospital, Shibgonj Road, Netrakona from 16-18 August 2010. A physio-therapist, an asisstive device technician, a refractionist, an audio technician and an assistant were presented at the camp.  

The project coordinator along with all the staff extended their cordial assistance to succeed the initiative. Different types of disable persons especially children came from Atpara, Modon, Kendua, Purbadhola, Mohongonj, Barhatta, Kalmakanda and Netrakona sadar upazila of Netrakona district, Gouripur upazila of Mymensingh district and Dharmapasha upazila of Sunamgonj district.

Total 184 disables received services through this camp. Out of which,

-->105 were physical, 33 were hearing and 46 were eye sight disables. The service receivers said that it is a good initiative. If it is provided advanced therapy services for the disability through this type of mobile health service camp, the disables will come under this service and it will help to develop their mental and physical condition. 

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Social Initiative to protect eve teasing: A girl student started to come to college after one and a half month

Eve teasing was protected by social initiative without applying any kind of lawful action. As a result, a girl student started to come to college after one and a half month. It is known that a second year girl student of Sandikona school and college under Kendua upazila of Netrakona district become bound to stop to come to college by thinking about her prestige by the cause of eve teasing of some of bad young boys.

After being informed of the elites, local press reporters and members of Stop Violence against Women (SVAW), they called people of all sectors to come forward to raise voice against eve teasing. In this context, Mr. Abu Taher, influential political leader o Sandikona union and leaseholder of Sandikona bazar extended his assistance to that girl to come to school. Local elites also extended their hands of cooperation. After that she started to go to college. Guardians of the student and the principal of the college Mr. Mahabub Alam told that it is possible to protect eve teasing by taking social initiative.

Project monitoring

A 4 members monitoring team headed by Md. Altafur Rahman Selim, PD (PSU) visited 2 groups and documents of Strengthening Agricultural Capacities of Ultra Poor (SACUP) office in Dhubaura and Haluaghat areas on 4 August 2010. The names of the groups were ‘Ashar Alo’ of Haluaghat and ‘Surma’ of Dhubaura. Later on, they arranged meeting with staff at Haluaghat office and provided necessary feedbacks and advices. The members of the monitoring team were Dr. Shawkat Akber Fakir, Luthfor Rahman and Mizanur Rahman.

In the same way, last 21 August 2010, 6 members monitoring team by the leadership of Altafur Rahman Selim, PD (PSU) conducted field monitoring in Gulkibari (field and office level), Mymensingh office. The different projects were monitored under Akua union like Forum Meeting of Community Policing, Early Child hood Development Centre, Disability and Rehabilitation and Adolescent project by this team. Thereafter, they checked office record and arranged meeting with staff at Mymensingh office and provided necessary feedbacks and advices. The members of the monitoring team were Dr. Shawkat Akber Fakir, Luthfor Rahman, Mizanur Rahman, Sanjoy Sarker and Badol datta.  

Coordination meeting of Netrakona Unnayan Forum

On 26 August 2010 at GDRC hall room, Mukterpara, Netrakona with the assistance of Steps Towards Development, a coordination meeting of Netrakona Unnayan Forum which has been formed for establishing gender relationship, human rights and good governance at Netrakona was organized. Decisions were taken according to the discussion on appointment of staff and management of the forum and partner organization, selection of working area of partner organization, reporting system, activities (September-December 2010) of the forum/network etc. The representatives of Steps Towards Development, the executive director of partner organization and the representatives of trainers group participated in the meeting.    

TBA training at Mymensingh

3 days (25-27 July 2010) TBA training was held at SUS-Mymensingh office by “Initiative of Health Development Project”. 10 TBAs from 10 areas along with 2 staff participated in this training course. The areas were Abason prokolpo, Duldul camp, Kalibari, Patgudam, Kristapur, Banshbari new colony, Bolashpur, Chukaitola and Akua Jubili Quarter. Through this training, the TBAs were informed about safe delivery, food intake, care taking, rest, regular check-up, TT vaccine during pregnancy period, which steps to be taken during danger period, reproductive health, take care of new-born baby, first breast feeding, problems and taking initiative of new-born baby, duties and responsibilities of TBA etc. 

Distribution of assistive device among disables

Caption: Distribution of devices among the selected disable persons.

Assistive devices were distributed among selective physically handicapped by the assistance of ‘Provat project’ of CCD on 11 August 2010 at SUS disability rehabilitation project at Nerakona with the presence of Md. Murshe Iqbal Rimu, Liaison Officer. The handicap persons were Suahan Mian (50), name of device: Tri-cycle, Roton Mian (25), name of device: Wheel chair and Turja (5), name of device: Special chair.

Education program

SUS is running 100 NFPE and 20 ECD centers. During the period 11 refreshers training were conducted at different IDPs. 110 teachers attended the refreshers. Besides, 3 days orientation of NFPE teachers of 10 centers (1^st year) of Barhatta upazila from 19-21 July 2010. On the other hand, guardians meeting of 120 centers were also held.   

Distribution of package items among the victims (poor and marginalized people) of early flooding

In socio-economic context, Khaliajuri is the poorest upazilas of Netrakona district. Nearly one lac people live in this upazila. Recently, 80% of boro paddy has been destroyed by early flooding through flash flood from the hills. The people of this area only depend on boro rice. The farmers are helpless by loosing their crops. There will be a great scarcity of food in next season. SUS with the assistance of CARE Bangladesh and funded by European Union has launched an emergency package support to the affected poor and marginalized people of this area.

In the mean time, 1418 beneficiaries from 3 unions of Khaliajuri upazila has been selected. 600 beneficiaries from 14 villages under Khaliajuri sadar union, 410 beneficiaries from 8 villages under Krishnapur union and 208 beneficiaries from 11 villages under Nagar union have been selected. Out of 1418, 657 beneficiaries have been fallen into package-1 and 761 beneficiaries have been fallen into package-2.

Thorough discussions on implementation of activities and beneficiaries’ selection have been performed with local govt. representatives and upazila administration. Orientation has been provided to the related staff. 418 beneficiaries have been selected from 33 villages under 3 unions through Focus Group Discussion (FGD). Besides, 80 families have been selected for protecting their houses from wave erosion. Preparatory work in this regard has been continuing. Items for 1^st distribution have been stored at store room. On 31 August 2010, it has been inaugurated through distribution of package items at Khaliajuri sadar union. Mr. Gulam Kibria Jabber, chairman, Khaliajuri upazila, Mr. Anwar Hossain Akand, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), Khaliajuri, representatives from CARE Bangladesh and SUS were present in the occasion. Next 1 and 2 August 2010, package items will be distributed at Nagar and Krishtapur unions respectively.

Farmers training on different issues and exchange visit by MF project

Today, people give importance on money than wisdom. It is not so easy to reach people with wisdom. Money is important than wisdom to them who do not know about the importance of education. So, it is essential to reach this type of class technically with different sides of education. In this regard, MF is one of the strong tools to do so. Many people have been ruined due not to use loan in proper ways for want of training and right knowledge. So, SUS provides training and organizes issue-based discussion before providing loan to the farmers. During this time, SUS has provided training courses on “Beef Fattening” and “Use of granular Urea”. SUS arranged an exchange visit to different research plots and germ plasm center of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh with 25 farmers from Atpara, Modon and Netrakona sadar upazila of Netrakona district. Besides, planning meeting has been conducted with the resource persons from Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock departments.

Follow-up session by FAC

Last 5 August 2010, a follow up session was held following orientation on 3 June 2010 by Finance, Administration and Communication (FAC) department of SUS. Branch Manager (BM) and Management Information System (MIS) of branch 1-10 and 11-20 participated respectively.   

Health Camp

A  Health Camp was organized at Chukaitola village under Akua union of Mymensingh sadar upazila by the assistance of FPAB on 22 August 2010. Health services have been provided to selective members of 80 families. Dr. Moti Taj Begum and Dr. Majibur Rahman have provided the services. SUS local staff were present in this camp.         

Crying with joy of sorrow Lacky

Lacky Akter is the daughter of late. Noor Islam and inhabitant of Faridpur village under Netrakona sadar upazila of Netrakona district. She married Md. Toffazzal Hossain Char Nilokkia village of Mymensingh. No ssoner passing one year of conjugal life, quarrel started between husband and wife. Husband and father-in-law torture her mentally and also physically with minor causes. On last 9 August 2010, quarrel started with mother-in-law with silly matter of carrying the baby and after a while, her husband and father-in-law bound her to go out from the house by leaving her 6 months old baby. Lacky was so upset without her baby. She went to SUS head office at Netrakona. On last 11 August 2010, Mehedi Hasan and Shahidul Islam, staff of rights and governance program of SUS, Gulkibari office, Mymensingh went to the Nilokkia village with Selim Mia and Tamij Uddin, MSP members of Boira union and informed Mr. Manik Mia, Acting UP chairman. By the direction of acting chairman, Mr. Nurul Islam and other elites went to Toffazzal’s house for investigating the event. They got the truth of the event and came to SUS Gulkibari office on 12 August 2010 with both parties. SUS handed over Sneha (Baby) to her mother with written document in presence of UP member Nazrul Islam and other elite of the area.

She was crying with joy by getting her baby. Lacky and her relatives gave thanks to SUS. 

Awareness meeting on HIV/AIDS in Mymensingh

Awareness raising meeting on HIV/AIDs was held at Patgudam area and Abason prokolpo with workers on last 26 and 29 August 2010 respectively. Mehedi Hasam, staff of rights and governance program of SUS, Gulkibari office, Mymensingh moderated the meeting. He discussed about services and facilities regarding the issue. Mr. Monowarul Islam Selim, officer of FPAB discussed about the symptom, how spread, ways of remaining safe, source of treatment etc. 122 workers were attended the meeting. In Abason prokolpo, a worker presented ahealth related song. Israt Jahan, PS, Gulkibari office also discussed. Lastly, Sadia Ansari, PC, Gulkibari office concluded the meeting by giving her thanks to all.

Training and workshop by CRE 

A training course on “Skill development” was held with 2 batches with members of advocacy group of 13 primary schools on 21-22 and 26-27 July 2010 by Community Response in Education (CRE) project of SUS. The course was organized at Amtola and Singher Bangla union parishad conference halls and 46 members participated through 2 batches.

In July and August 2010, follow up meeting on 18 SMC training of 19 primary schools was held at Amtola and Kailati unions. 243 members attended the meeting.

A workshop on analysis of SMC training manual was organized at Amtola union parishad conference hall on 24 July 2010. 21 SMC members attended the workshop.

Jibon Dey Shyemol, PC-CRE, Kanij Fatema and Joyshri Sarker, trainers of CRE facilitated the above-mentioned training and workshop.     

Inception workshop on GRCBP

Caption: The guests and a part of audiences. 

An inception workshop was organized on “Gender Responsive Community Based Policing as the technique of protecting crime and violence” on 28 August 2010 at SUS conference hall, Netrakona. Police Super Sheikh Nazmul Alam, ppm (Service) attended the meeting as chief guest. The special guests were Md. Tafsir Uddin Khan, UZ chairman, Netrakona sadar, Nazrul Islam Khan, mayor, Netrakona pousava, Asaduzzama, ASP, Netrakona model thana. Ataur Rahman Manik and Tuhin Akter, UZ vice-chairmen, Netrakona sadar, chairmen of union parishad, journalist, president of human rights lawyer association, president of Human Rights Sangrokkon Parishad, president of ward level CPF committee and acting executive director and other staff of SUS also attended the workshop.

Training conducted by training cell of SUS

Training on IGA management

Training cell of SUS conducted 3 batches PRA training on “IGA management” for staff of NETZ-German assisted Strengthen up project of SUS, Netrakona, JCF, Rangpur and Chhinna Mukul Bangladesh, Kurigram in June and July 2010. Training course duration was for 3 days. Sanjoy Sarker, Murshed Iqbal Rimu and Rakibul Islam facilitated the training course. On the other hand, training on IGA management was provided to 15 beneficiaries by the financial assistance of Damien Foundation in July 2010.

 

Training on communication skill development 

The Training cell of Sabalamby Unnayan Samity (SUS) provided 3 days training on communication and facilitation skills for Strengthen up project staff on last 15-17 August 2010. The   training course was inaugurated by D. Shawkat Akber Fakir (APD-PSU). On the other hand, Executive Director (acting) Kazi Sohul Ahmed and Md. Altafur Rahman Selim, PD (PSU) deliberated their speeches in the training session. Mr. Luthfor Rahman, Manager, training and Sanjoy Sarker, Trainer facilitated the training session.   

PRA Training

The Training cell of Sabalamby Unnayan Samity (SUS) conducted 7 batches PRA training for the GRCBP and CPF members of Light House-Bogra, RDRS Bangladesh, Thakurgaon and Madaripur Legal Aid Association, Madaripur by the assistance of gtz. 166 participants attended the course. Luthfor Rahman-Manager, training cell and Achinta Majumder, Manager IHDP facilitated the course.