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A New life for over 80 people in Bangladesh: October 2007
An interest free loan of £870, shared between 15 families in Bangladesh, will make it possible for over 85 people to expect a higher standard of living for the foreseeable future. The loan, when paid back, can then be used to support some more families in improving their future. These improvements can include health, education, nutrition, housing and clothing.
The £870 was raised by pupils at three schools, Barnetby CE Primary School, Caistor CE and Methodist Primary School and Spilsby Primary School. The pupils were aged between 7 years and 11 years old.
Following a School Assembly, or class talk, about Bangladesh, the pupils were given the task of choosing the Mini-Projects that they wished to support. Groups of pupils had to give reasons why they have chosen one project rather than an other. Following this they then had to convince the rest of the class that their chosen project was worth supporting. The class or a group of pupils then went about organising a fund raising event which involved the whole school and wider community.
The families will be informed of their loan at the celebration of the Festival of Eid ul-Fitr on the 13th October 2007.
The projects are supported by the Bangladesh Government. All the money raised goes towards the Mini-Projects chosen. The schools can ask for further details about the families and will be informed of the progress the families are making.
In six of the chosen families it is the father who wishes to purchase his own rickshaw, so he can run his own business rather than working for someone else. The men are paid very little money to take out a rickshaw for someone else..
Tazul would very much like to open his own shop selling parts and repairing rickshaws. One of the other men would like to open a general workshop.
Idris works in a field growing crops. In the picture you can see him ploughing the land. When it comes to harvest time Idris has to do the work by hand. Idris would like to purchase a combine harvester (no bigger than the machine you can see in the picture). It would mean he can harvest his crops more quickly and earn more money. The other advantage is that he could spend more time with his family and they would not have to spend so much time helping him in the field at harvest time.
Two of the ladies would like to add to the family income by purchasing some ducks and chickens so they can raise them and sell their eggs and chicks. The animals would be looked after near the house so they can still do their housework.
Zalal would like to buy his own sewing machine and some fabrics. This would mean he could start his own business so he no longer has to pay the owner of his borrowed machine.
Manuara is a hawker. She goes around the village from door to door hoping to sell her vegetables. Manuara hopes to set up her own grocery shop so she can be nearer home all the time and to support her family financially.
Kudus has a very small business buying and selling rice in the local market. He has asked if he could have an interest free loan in order to expand his business.
Rang Mala is a housewife but she would also like to set up a small grocery shop.
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