SHOUHARDO II - As Model of development of Ideal Village

An Ideal Village is situated at south Sukhair Rajapur union of Dharmapasha upazila of ‘Haor’ surrounded Sunamgonj district. The river Kangsa is flowing through north and west part of the village. The other parts of the village have been surrounded by “Sonartol Haor”. 38 families (East island: 11 and West island: 27) are living in this village. The 27 families of West Island are poor and ultra poor. The waves hit and damage the west island every year. Once, they had nothing by the wave erosion. They could not go for work during rainy season. They remained busy for saving their houses. At last, they planned to leave the village. At that time, the village was selected by SHOUHARDO II. The villagers identified and analyzed their problems through community consultation in 2011. The erosion of village got main priority among the identified problems. The Village Developemnt Committee (VDC) was formed for solving the problem. VDC took the initiative/plan to expand the island and to construct protection wall as priority. In 2013, by the financial assistance of CARE-Bangladesh, the expansion and construction works were started for most affected West Island. The works were completed in February 2014 by the cost of taka 2379282.00 (Village expansion: taka 320304.00 and protection wall: taka 2058978.00).

The surplus amount of taka 96549.00 from the estimated budget was shared among 11 members of Local Contracting Society (LCS) because the works were done by Local Contracting Society (LCS). They will utilize the money in Income Generating Activities (IGA). After completing the works, the villagers have started to cultivate vegetables and to ensure 100% sanitation through their own initiatives. They have informed that they do not need to protect erosion through using bamboo, vetiver grass and other local materials. They have been saved from expending taka 5000.00 every year. The skills have been increased for implementing the works by LCS. As a result, they will be able to maintain the protection wall by themselves. Now, they do not think to leave the village. The women will able to cultivate vegetables and to rear chickens and ducks in their houses. So, the dignity of the women will be increased at family and social levels. They are happy now. They are grateful to SUS, CARE-Bangladesh and others who have extended their hands of cooperation.