The Sariakandi community programme
The Sariakandi community development programme is in the Bogra
district, northern Bangladesh, about 230km northwest of the
Bangladeshi capital city, Dhaka. World Vision reaches 74 villages
with a total population of 95,114. World Vision's partnership with
the community started in 1992 and is envisaged to continue until
2014, when the community will be fully equipped with the resources
and skills to take ownership of its own development. In the past
year, significant improvements were made in the areas of health and
sanitation, and education.
Issues covered: Education, nutrition,
health and sanitation
Updates on World Vision's work
Health and sanitation
- 840 community members (children and adults) were assisted with
preventative healthcare in the past year. A total of 190 latrines
were also distributed to households to improve sanitation and
hygienic practices.
- 1013 tube wells were tested for arsenic contamination, and
treated to ensure safe drinking water for the community, and reduce
the prevalence water-borne diseases.
Education and nutrition
- 550 mothers attended nutrition education sessions to help
reduce malnutrition rates. In addition, 100 mothers have received
training in how to establish their own kitchen gardens.
- 90 per cent of girls are now enrolled in primary school and 85
per cent in high school, thanks to awareness-raising programmes
among parents and community members on the importance of education,
especially for girls.
The Sariakandi community is in the twenty-first year of its
development journey with World Vision.
Life on
the ground in Sariakandi
Education changes a family's life
Sariakandi community members admire a
vegetable garden started by Shablu Mondol's mother and
father.
When Shablu Mondol's mother enrolled in an adult education
centre, which World Vision had established in the Sariakandi
community, it was a turning-point for this family of four who knew
about poverty all too well. Shablu's mum learned to read and write,
and joined a development group where she received small business
training. She also gained access to a fair-interest loan, bought a
dairy cow, sold the milk and soon she and her husband were able to
obtain a plot of land, where they now cultivate vegetables to sell.
The hardworking couple was able to send Shablu to school and World
Vision also helped him with school materials, including a desk and
chair, and a hurricane lamp by which to study at night, as the
family had no electricity. Shablu worked conscientiously and is now
enrolled in a government college. In his free time, he teaches
neighbourhood kids. Shablu says: "We are so grateful. World Vision
has changed my life and that of my family's."
Bangladesh at a glance
Bangladesh has the highest population density in the world. The
country's land area is slightly smaller than the South Island of
New Zealand, yet, is home to about 162 million people. A
combination of frequent natural disasters, internal political
strife and corruption affects the people's struggle to rise above
the poverty line.
