September-Octobar 2010

Editorial

Agriculture is the backbone of the country. The farmers are working hard to ensure food security through different awkward situation. After hard labour, the farmers get a little. The farmers do not get actual price of their products due to mismanagement in marketing system, broker and middlemen in each of the levels. The farmers have to buy the same products at higher price that they sell in the market. The main reason for this is that there is no farmer’s association i.e. they are not organized. If there was an association, they could produce and market their products, could get actual price of their products and the price of agriculture products remained stable. If the farmers get actual price of their products, the rural economy remains functional. They can change their lifestyle/livelihood situation. The farmers can easily communicate with different agricultural institutions through their association. The country will be able to stand upright in the world through developing the condition of farmers and association. The association of farmers is the demand of the present time.

Viral fever of computer

Computer, removal drives are the essential elements in present information and technology period. The use of removal drive or pen drive has been increased to share computer messages in different media. At the same time, virus related different complications have also been increased. So we are losing different important information due to lack of unconsciousness during preservation of information. So we have to keep the computer virus free. Virus scanner of the computer should be updated. Not only that all the pen drives should be scanned before using in computer. In many times, computer becomes virus affected due to negligence in scanning the pen drive. So we have to careful about using computer to safe our information.

Upazila Coodination and Planning Meeting

Govt. Agriculture, Fishery and Livestock officer

In October 2010, upazila coordination and planning meetings of “Credit project for marginal and small farmers” under PKSF funded Micro Finance and Micro Enterprise project of SUS have been completed at Netrakona sadar, Atpara and Modon upazilas of Netrakona district. Upazila agriculture officer, upazila livestock officer, upazila fishery officer, assistane director-BADC, agriculture businessmen and group members participated in 3 meetings.

Participants of the meeting

The planning and progress of the project have been presented in these meetings. Group members have raised their problems. The government officers have assured to extend their cooperation. Sharif Ahmed Chisty has played the role of moderator. On behalf of SUS, Altafur Rahman Selim, PD (PSU) was responsible to succeed the meetings.

Coordination workshop between vegetable production and duck rearing association of Netrakona district

The chief and special guests of workshop

On 20 October 2010, a workshop was organized at district council hall room to implement “Sustainable Livelihood for the Poor Producer (SLIPP)”. Md. Tafsir Uddin Khan, Upazila chairman, Netrakona sadar upazila was the chief guest of the workshop. The specila guests were Md. Abdul Mannan, district livestock officer, Md. Abdul Wahab, president, chamber of commerce, Begum Rokeya, executive director, SUS, Kazi Sahed Ferdous, country director, Tradecraft exchange, Shah Abdus Salam, executive director, development wheel, Meer Bazlur Rashid, upazila agriculture officer, Nazim Uddin Sheikh, assistant director (Seed), Ziaul Haque, AGM, Rural Electrification Board, Netrakona. Besides, Altafur Rahman Selim, PD (PSU), SUS, Jahanara Begum, executive director, WDO, Md. Abu Taher, executive director, JKP, Md. Arifuzzaman, executive director, ARBAN were presented as special guests. Md. Raqibul Islam, Trainer, Saidul Islam, extension assistant (Agri), SUS, new elected members of the association were also participated in the workshop. The officers of government and other organizations have assured their commitments to extend cooperation regarding strengthening the association. The government officers also assured their commitments to extend cooperation to get the farmers good seed, fertilizer, pesticide and actual price of their produced products. At last, Asadul Islam, president of the association ended the workshop by giving thanks to all.  

Sharing meeting on “Protection of Acid Flinging/violence” with Acid seller and user

There are about 500 acid user jewelry and battery businessmen except educational institutions. Out of 500, only 5 traders have got the license. Due to land related, political, class conflict along with limitless use of acid in Netrakona district, more acid violence occurs in Netrakona. Since 1999 to 2009, 2314 acid violence have occurred in Bangladesh and 77 have occurred in Netrakona district and through these occurrence, 86 persons have been affected/victimized. This information has been disclosed through arranging a sharing meeting on “Protection of acid violence” with acid sellers and users with a view to find out ways of stopping use of acid freely at pourasava conference room of Kendua upazila on 23 September at 10.00 am. Delwer Hossain Bhuiyan, Mayor, Kendua pourasava presided over the meeting and Md. Rezaul Karim, UNO, Kendua was the chief guest. Musharof Hossain, officer incharge, Kendua, Abdur Rahman Bhuiyanand Jahanara Rozy, president and secretary respectively of upazila stop violence against women committee, Kohinoor Begum, Manager, SUS, Somorendra Biswasarma and Alamgir Choudhury, journalist, acid affected Rina Akter and Md. Mohi Uddin, general secretary, jewelry samity, Kendua participated in the discussion. 

Skill development training of adolescent

3 months duration sewing training has been started with 100 adolescent from 5 centers under Adolescent project of Mymensingh branch office of SUS. Sahida Akter, a renowned trainer has been conducting the training. In this training course, cutting and sewing of petticoat, blause, frog, seluar kamis, under-wear, children dresses etc. are taught. Training has been provided to 20 adolescents in each center once a week. On 1 October, training course of 5 centers has been inaugurated. Guardians of adolescent of the locality, trainer and staff of SUS Mymensingh office attended the inaugural session.

Observe World Rural Women Day 2010

 “Sustainable future will be ensure for the rural women” by raising this slogan in front, a discussion meeting and rally were held at Kumri lokokendra (Peole’s institution) of Rouha union under Netrakona sadar upazila on 15 October at 11.00 am by the assistance of district committee of SUPRA (Campaign for good governance). Maleka Begum, president of Kumri lokokendra presided over the meeting. Husne Ara Begum-member of SUPRO & executive director of Rupali Mohila Unnayan Sangstha, Abdul Kadir Fakir-vice president of lokokendra, Abdur Rashid-general secretary, Sultana Begum-Manager deliberated their speeches on rural agriculture, health, house management, sowing and harvesting of paddy, different activities of the cropping seasons, traditional seed preservation and demanded government declaration and approval on these issues. The speakers also agreed with the demands declared by SUPRO. After completion of the meeting, a rally was held with participation of all people. Rasel Haider, district campaign facilitator of SUS acted as moderator of the meeting.

Landless are now land owner    

22 families, out of 65 ultra poor families of Digjan village under Dharmapasha upazila of Sunamgonj district have pieces of land to take shelter. A couple of meetings have been arranged about rehabilitation of these families with all classes of people of the village. A picture of ultra poor families has been raised during discussion with union parishad ex-member Abdur Razzak. Mr. Abdur Razzak has come forward willingly to rehabilitate ultra poor families permanently by giving assurance to provide 88 decimal lands. Later on, all papers of the lands have been collected and checked for registration. At last, on 14 July, 88 decimal lands have been handed over to 22 families (4 decimal to each family) after registration by Dharmapasha upazila registry office. Dag no. and Khatian no. of the lands were 831 and 345 respectively. During registration and hand over the lands, Abdur Razzak said, “It is one of the best achievement and capital of my life”. 

Experience sharing visit  

An experience sharing visit has been performed by ‘AFAL’ project, Khaliajuri of SUS to Center for Natural Resource and Studies (CNRS)  organization at Jamalgonj upazila of Sunamgonj district on 28 and 29 September. In this visit, 2 members from each Forest Conservation and Development Committee under AFAL project. The main objective was to visit hijal-korosh nursery and to take idea about plantation in haor region with a view to encourage the community people to establish this type of forest in their respective areas. After visiting korosh garden of Fenarbak and Matargaon villages of Fenarbak union, a sharing meeting was arranged with Fenarbak Village Development Committee on importance of hijol-korosh garden for protecting houses as well environment and IGA. D. Shawkat Akbar Fakir-director of AFAL project, Ruhul Ameen Akand-project coordinator, Md. Helal Uddin Khan and Delwar Hossain, supervisors of AFAL project also participated with the members of Forest Conservation and Development Committee.

Workshop on leadership development 

On 19 and 21 October, a workshop was arranged on “leadership development” at SUS training room with the assistance of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). All the staff of handicraft section participated in this workshop.

MSP visit Fakirakanda ECD center 

There are SUS operated 10 Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers at Duldul camp, Pagudam, Banshbari colony, Chhatrishbari colony, Chukaitola, Digarkanda, Boira and Fakirakanda areas under Mymensingh sadar upazila of Mymensineegh district. There are 182 girls and 118 boys in these centers. The main objective of the activity is to make the children efficient for class-I by encouraging them in education. On 22 September, Manobadhikar Sangrokkon Porishad (MSP) arranged union-based mass gathering beside Fakirakanda ECD center. After discussion, they visited ECD center. During visit, they observed lesson progress, daily assembly, co-curriculum activities, hand writing, infrastructure, environment etc. They became impressed by observing their progress of the lesson. They thanked the teacher and praised the activities of SUS.

Initiative for increasing social and legal empowerment of women 

For a long time, SUS has been working to improve the livelihood status of the poor people. By following this, SUS has been implementing the project “Initiative for increasing social and legal empowerment of women” at 8 upazila of Netrakona district by the assistance of gtz and ministry of women and children affairs of People’s Republic of Bangladesh. 8 inception meetings have been completed at Netrakona sadar, Atpara, Modon, Kendua, Kalmakanda and Durgapur upazila of Netrakona district. Respective upazila chairman, vice-chairman, police administration, women affairs officer and elites of the areas attended each of the meetings. A total of 282 (Men: 164 and Women: 118) persons have been informed about the project activities.

World Food Day 

On 16 October at 3 pm, a discussion meeting was held at press club, Mukterpara, Netrakona by keeping the slogan in front “Come into one platform against hunger and poverty, ensure food sovereignty”. Professor Monindra Sarker, president of SUPRO district committee presided over the meeting. Golam Ershadur Rahman-writer, researcher of folk literature, president of Jatiya Samajtanric Dal (JSD), Khandaker Anisur Rahman-general secretary, communist party, Shyemolenda Paul-secretary, press club-Netrakona, Swapon Kumar Paul-director SUS, Habiba Rahman-joint secretary, district mohila Awamileague, Ali Amjad, vice-president, SUPRO (Campaign for good governance), Subrato Ghush-sub-assistant agriculture extension officer, Ali Osman-upazila president, MSP, Taheza Begum-Organizing secretary, mohila parishad, Md. Ala Uddin-Farmers’ leader, Jahanara Begum-executive director, WDO and member of SUPRO and Purubi Sammanit deliberated their speeches by raising demand about construction of protection wall to eradicate poverty in haor region, plantation, flood protection embankment, cold storage for preservation of fishes, ensure reasonable price for agriculture products, construction of available food godown along with storage system, strong market monitoring system, implement medium and long term activities by disclosing list of ultra poor. They also agreed with the declared demands of SUPRO. Shahinara Akand, member of SUPRO read out the SUPRO leaflet in the meeting. Rasel Haider, district campaign facilitator conducted the meeting.

  

                    Training on gender responsive shalishi

The trainer lawyer Ashish Sarker Utpol conducting the training

On October, 26 batches training on “Gender responsive shalishi” has been completed at Atapra, Modon, Kalmakanda, Barhatta, Durgapur and Netrakona sadar upazila of Netrakona district under Promotion  of Legal and Social Empowerment of Women (PLSEW) project which is funded and implemented by gtz and SUS respectively. Total 643 participants (Men: 392 and Women: 251) participated in the course. Tuhin Akter, vice-chairman, Netrakona sadar upazila was attended 3 batches of training at Netrakona sadar upazila.

  
Relief support to the victims of sudden/flash flood in Khaliajuri upazila

SUS with the financial assistance of European Union and other assistance by CARE-Bangladesh has been implementing emergency assistance project for the victims (Poor and marginal people) of flash flood at Khaliajuri upazila. During this time, 2 times relief materials have been distributed among selected 1418 people from 3 unions. Out of 1418, 600 have been selected from 14 villages of Khaliajuri sadar union, 410 from 8 villages of Khrisnapur union and 208 from 11 villages of Nagar union and relief materials have been distributed among them. Under package-1, there are 657 persons and under package-2, there are 761 persons. Besides, 450 victims (Khaliajuri sadar union: 250, Nagar union: 100 and Khrisnapur union: 100) have been selected newly. Out of 450, under package-1, there are 205 persons and under package-2, there are 245 persons. Within October, relief materials have been distributed among 1868 victims for the 3^rd times.

Besides, 80 families have been selected for protecting their houses from wave erosion. During this time, work of making protection wall has been running quickly.

Concluding orientation

Orientations were held on ‘Disability’ at Teligati union of Atpara and Bakoljura union of Durgapur upazila by the financial assistance of gtz and joint initiative of SUS and Second Rural Infrastructure Improvement Project (RIIP-2). All engineers and staffs of Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) attended these orientations. On October 31, a concluding orientation of Netrakona sadar upazila was also held at LGED office where all engineers and staffs of Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) attended. The moderators of the orientation were Murshed Iqbal Rimu, Program Liaison Officer, SUS and Jahangir Alam, Trainer, CDD.

Bi-monthly conference of Stop Violence Against Women (SVAW) Committee

On 30 October at 11.00 am, a bi-monthly conference of SVAW committee was held at SUS conference room with a view to stop violence against women of the society. Dr. M.A Hamid presided over the conference. Professor Md. Tafsir Uddin Khan, chairman, Netrakona sadar upazila was the chief guest of the conference. The special guests were Md. Asaduzzaman, assistant police super, Netrakona sadar circle, advocate Nazrul Islam Chunnu, president, SVAW, Mymensingh district, Tuhin Akter, vice-chairman, Netrakona sadar. The other guests of the conference were Begum Rokeya, executive director, SUS, Swapon Kumar Paul, director, SUS, Kohinoor Begum, manager, SUS and advocate Nazrul Islam Khan. The presidents of upazila SVAW committee deliberated their speeches. 24 members district executive committee has been formed with the president and secretary of advocate Nazrul Islam Khan and Tuhin Akter respectively. Advocate Purubi Kundu conducted the conference as moderator.

Information of NFPE school and ECD center of SUS

NFPE

1^st year: 20 schools (Mohongonj: 10 and Barhatta: 10), 2^nd year: 30 (Netrakona sadar: 10, Atpara: 10 and Purbadhola: 10), 3^rd year: 30 (Netrakona sadar: 10, Mohongonj: 10 and Modon: 10), 4^th year: 20 (Durgapur: 10 and Kalmakanda: 10).

ECD

Total ECD center: 20 (Purbadhola: 10 and Mymensingh: 10)

Student

NFPE school: 1^st year: 600 (Boys: 227 and girl: 373), 2^nd year: 900 (Boys: 372 and girl: 528), 3^rd year: 900 (Boys: 303 and girls: 597), 4^th year: 600 (Boys: 251 and girl: 349).

ECD center: 600 (Boys: 237 and girls: 363).

Total: 3600 (Boys: 1390 and girls: 2210) 

Awareness raising meeting on AIDS

On October, an awareness raising meeting on AIDS was held at Bolashpur slum area of Mymensingh sadar under “Initiative of Health Development Project (IHDP). What is AIDS, remedies from AIDS were discussed in the meeting. 100 persons from different walks of life especially rickshaw puller, transport labors of slum areas were attended the meeting. Sanchita Mollik, representative of ‘Surakka’ organization who is working with AIDS was the key speaker of the meeting. Besides, Sadia Ansari, team leader along with other staffs of Mymensingh branch were also attended the meeting. 

Training on Conflict Management

3 days long training course on “Conflict Management” was held from 20-22 October at SUS training room by the initiative of “Community Response in Education-CRE” project. 8 CRE staffs participated in the training course and Md. Luthfor Rahman, manager, training and Sanjoy Sarker, trainer of SUS were the facilitators of the course.

On 27 September, checking of MCC training manual and 28 September, checking of Child rights, child explore, child participation and child friendly environment manual workshops were held GDRC Bhabon, Netrakona. 54 education officers, teachers, members of SMC, youth, representatives of children organization participated in 2 workshops.

Education related information of children were collected from catchment area of Pitua and Kalaiya reg. primary schools of Amtola union through PRA (FGD) method. 

The facilitators of the workshop and FGD were Jibon De Shyemol, coordinator, Kaniz Fatema and Joyosree Sarker, trainers of CRE.

Training on Gender Responsive Community Based Policing (GRCBP)

From 10-13 October, 4 days long training on “Gender Responsive Community Based Policing (GRCBP)” at SAP-Bangladesh office, Dhaka by the assistance of gtz. 4 participants from Madaripur Legal Aid Association, Madaripur and 14 participants from SUS, Netrakona participated in the training course. Monotush Roy and Abul Khayer were the trainers of the course. The issues such as: community policing, CPF committee, leadership, partnership, successful communication etc were discussed in the course. Nilufa Sultana, gtz representative was participated in the concluding day.

A free of cost operation camp on “Cleft lip and Palate”

A free of cost operation camp of 25 clients was held at SUS hospital by the assistance of specialist plastic surgeon Dr. Maruf Alam along with his colleagues from 28-31 October.

Sharing workshop on disability

27 September, 2010 at 10.00 am, a sharing workshop was organized at Public Library, Jamalpur on “Special demand oriented child care and education” by the assistance of Jatiya Protibondhi Forum and Bak Protibondhi Kalyan O Unnayan Samity, Jamalpur. The representatives of 20 organizations from different districts participated in the workshop. Md. Juyaherul Islam (Mamun), general secretary of Jatiya Protibondhi Forum was the president of the workshop. In the workshop, representatives of different organizations discussed about rights of the disable, education, ways of getting different opportunities and also presented activities of the respective organizations. The president concluded the workshop by calling all about to take proper initiatives for the disables from their respective positions. Yasminara Iyrin, Social Communicator (SC) of SUS Mymensingh branch attended the workshop.

Community policing forum taking initiative to stop early marriage in 30 wards of Mymensingh sadar and Muktagachha upazila of Mymensingh district

Community policing forum of Mymensingh with the assistance of SUS and GTZ has been working in mymensingh Sadar Upazilla since last one year to increase the community safety, stop violence against women and also improved perception of police in the working area among both men and women. Every ward level CPF consist 21 members with the representation of local elite person with male and female.

From July 2009 jointly SUS and GTZ has been starting ward level CPF activities. CPF members acquired knowledge through training and other conceptual events on their roles and responsibilities and different issues. Each of CPF has identified their problem. Most of the CPF prioritized their list of problem and they have selected the early marriage is the most important problem in their area. After that, individually they have taken initiative to stop early marriage. They have arranged court yard meeting, door to door campaign, community meeting, sharing workshop between guardian, teacher, Kazi, Imam & representative of local government. CPF prepared an action plan to stop early marriage collectively. For example, when an incident is going to happening, they got information and they took initiative to stop early marriage with the managing the victim’s parent and other guardian and save an innocent girl adolescent life.

In our country context, the girl adolescents are more sufferer and they have victimized through unconscious parents, neighbors as well as community. When a girl adolescent got married then she can’t continue her education, she has broken her health and she has been suffering from malnutrition and other different diseases. In that way she has destroyed her life gradually. In the realization of this major issue, CPF of Mymensingh are more committed to protect violence through the stooping early marriage. Now CPF have declared that, these are the early marriage free area of Mymensingh.