Nagar Daridra Basteebashir Unnayan Sangstha (NDBUS)

Closing Event : Urbis : The Urban Capacity Laboratory Program for NDBUS in Dhaka, Bangladesh 14th Oct 2010

2010-10-29T21:22:00.000-07:00

Urbis closing ceremony was held on 14th October 2010 at LGED auditorium in Agargaon. Participants of the ceremony were government officials, representatives from NGOs, international development agencies, practitioners working in Dhaka, NDBUS members and their community organizations. The day long program began at 9:30 and ended at 5 pm.
Mr Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Honorable Member of Parliament was present as the Chief Guest. Professor Nazrul Islam, Chairman University Grants Commission Bangladesh and Founder of CUS, Engineer Ali Ahmed, National Project Director, UPPRP and Dr Dobalok Singha, Executive Director, DSK were present in the event as special guests.
Mr Chowdhury informed the audience that the bill will be passed in the coming parliament session in December 2010. He also urged NDBUS members to advocate all 15 MPs in Dhaka city for supporting the bill in the parliament. He thanked the Urbis program and shared his belief that NDBUS will carry the objective of the project in the long run towards achieving the goal of poverty reduction and empowering the poor. He appreciated the efforts of NDBUS in mobilizing the urban poor in Dhaka.
Professor Nazrul Islam in his speech shared his feelings that urban poverty is not decreasing, though there are so many activities going on in government and non-government initiatives. He also praised the Urbis program and the effort of the project team in completing the project goals in a so short time.
DIG Technical Director, Mr Eric Tiffit Adams also spoke on the occasion and shared his experience of work with NDBUS as a pleasant one. He also thanked CUS for its enormous support in implementing the program in a very successful way.

The afternoon session with a vote of thanks and handing over memento to the guests and organizations who contributed in successful completion of the project since July 2008.

The afternoon session consisted of paper reading by NDBUS members. The papers provided information and thoughts on various poverty reduction programs by different agencies, NDBUS activities towards spreading its organizational network, NDBUS savings program etc. This session was followed by an open discussion with the participants from partner organizations, NGOs and NDBUS filed level members. The speakers felt the need of poverty reduction activities to be streamlined in a pro-poor way where tenure security must be given the top priority.

The day long event ended with a cultural program performed by NDBUS members and talented child artists. They performed songs and dances. A short play was presented to the audience focusing on NDBUS activities and benefits the poor can get through association of NDBUS.

All the participants of the closing event were provided with two snacks and lunch.

প্রথম আলো - বস্তি উচ্ছেদ বন্ধে আইন হচ্ছে

2010-10-16T20:56:00.000-07:00

প্রথম আলো - বস্তি উচ্ছেদ বন্ধে আইন হচ্ছে

Urbis Closing Ceremony : 14th Oct 2010 9:30-5:30 : LGED Auditorium-Level 2

2010-10-11T01:05:00.000-07:00

NDBUS cordially invites you all to participate in the closing ceremony, to be held on 14th Oct 2010 at LGED Auditorium-Level 2, of the Urbis : The Urban Capacity Laboratory Program for NDBUS in Dhaka, Bangladesh implemented by CUS for Development Innovations Group (DIG).

Rahamat Camp CDC Members visit CDCs in Tongi

2010-10-03T01:16:00.000-07:00

A team of 10 CDCs of Rahamat Camp visited 4 CDCs and primary group members in Tongi Municipality on Thursday, September 30, 2010. The group visited the communities, met the CDC members and leaders and learnt about the ongoing activities towards poverty reduction in urban areas with support from UPPRP. As new CDCs, formed under NDBUS in Rahamat Camp, Mirpur 11, the group members found the visit very effective and learning from the old CDC members.
NDBUS thanked the Tongi town UPPRP team, CDC members for arranging a pleasant visit in Tongi and shared their gratitude to UPPRP HQ to provide such an option for learning through exposure visits to UPPRP Towns.

Living Dangerously!

2010-09-27T21:26:00.000-07:00

Hundreds of poor families risk everything by living in top to ground perforated ramshackle buildings in the city. Over 200 families reside in such five decrepit housing blocks at WAPDA Camp in Mirpur-11. Photo: Anisur Rahman

[http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=156252]

EID-MUBARAK

2010-09-09T01:18:00.000-07:00

Sattala after a month

2010-09-07T21:40:00.000-07:00

[Photo courtesy : Pieter]

Risky three-storey structure...

2010-08-31T23:02:00.000-07:00

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/print_news.php?nid=152857

http://www.eprothomalo.com/index.php?opt=view&page=19&date=2010-08-23

2010-08-23T05:03:00.000-07:00

http://ittefaq.com.bd/content/2010/08/23/

2010-08-23T00:21:00.000-07:00

You have 30 minutes to evacuate

2010-08-14T22:28:00.000-07:00

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Shahana Siddiqui

Few hours is all that was needed to destroy 2.5 acres of households.
THURSDAY, 5 August. The police assure concerned basti bashis of Sattala, Mohakhali that no eviction would happen. The people believe the police officers and go on with their daily activities. The noon prayers end. Riot police suddenly appear, armed and ready to go. Demolition workers from nearby slums accompany the enforcements.
A high up government officer takes a microphone and obscurely tells the people that their homes will be demolished. You have 30 minutes to evacuate. The race against time starts.... NOW!
Chaos takes over. Two bulldozers appear. Riot police take position to put anyone out of line. Because to protest against the destruction of one's home would be wrong, would be illegal.
Oh wait, that's what they are -- illegal. Thousands of people, homes, households are all illegal. They should not have been here to begin with.
Go back to where you came from. If you are not going to go on your own, our bulldozers will help pave the way for you. Few hours is all that was needed to destroy 2.5 acres of households, communities, homes. Approximately 8000 men, women, and children, about 2400 households evicted, destroyed one fine Thursday afternoon.
The evictees take whatever they can. Personal belongings, construction materials, electrical wiring -- anything they can live on or sell to get them through the next few days.
The question is then, where are the activists, where are the well off neighbours? Where are all that cultural, political and religious ideals of pro-poor, pro-people, socialism, inclusion, Constitutional rights?
Bangladesh is a leading example in post natural disaster relief yet, we don't know what to do in manmade disasters. Suddenly mandates, policies, project limitations chain our basic sense of citizenry and humanity. Yet, manmade destruction is in many ways worse -- a human consciousness is at failure here, a choice is made, humanity and respect for fellow humans are purposefully left aside.
Bengali bhadraloks romanticise the rural poor and despise the urban ones. We see the latter as freeloaders and their living spaces as den of all evils. Our decent Bengali way of living is always under threat by these bastis.
Our sons would never get into drugs if it wasn't for the dealers living in the slums. Neither would they ever be tempted by carnal sins if it wasn't for those street prostitutes. And of course women from good families are never to be seen on streets that are roamed by these meyera of dubious character. Our cities would be safe if the mastaans did not emerge from these shanties.
Our footpaths would be cleaner, our lakes prettier if it wasn't for these makeshift homes and latrines. Because of them, there is such pressure on our electricity, water and other amenities. Not to mention how inconvenient it is to have these beggars, ferriwallahs, street vendors, hustling us to buy or give something while we sit in traffic, go for a walk, or enjoy a plate of phuchka.
It's all their fault that they are poor and trying to just survive one day at a time. It's their fault that they do not have the education, options and orientations to lead the bhadralok life. It's their fault that government and non-government provide band aid solutions and no long terms economic and social opportunities to the urban poor. They will leave soon, so what's the point of investing?
Millions of urban poor both in Dhaka and in secondary cities have been living in those areas for generations. Yet, they are not our equals as city dwellers. To be a basti bashi, no matter how many years of residency, immediately means you are an illegal occupant and therefore do not have any rights. The threat and reality of eviction are constant without any protection from government or non-government.
Yet it is these basti bashis that run our homes and industries, our society and the economy. They break their backs everyday to clean our streets, drive our vehicles, build our fancy apartments and commercial buildings, carry goods from one end of the city to another, maintain our households and raise our children, watch over our homes while we sleep so peacefully at night. And it is these thousands of basti bashi men and women (whose minimum wage we refuse to pay), who are generating the highest export earning for Bangladesh.
The informal economy constitutes of over 65% of all employment in the city. Those employees live in over 3000 slums and squatter settlements throughout the capital. Of over 2.5 million (a quarter of Dhaka city population) slum residents and other poor segments of the city, less than a third own land or have access to decent housing.
In all our talk of saving people and establishing a democratic, accountable governance system, the bhadralok shomaj of the city fail to take a strong stand against evictions and atrocities against the urban poor. Just because we depend on them, does not mean we have to like them, right?
While the largest NGO in the country has been raising money in the past week for the Pakistan flood victims, at the heart of Dhaka city 8000 people (and rising) are now homeless -- yet no single facebook update on that.
Within days of the Nimtoli fire, friends and families rushed to the site to stand by the victims. One week into Sattala eviction and not a single human cry for help, justice.
Difference -- Pakistan is a misfortune, Nimtoli a tragedy, Sattala is illegal.
Will we sit back and allow such human rights violations to happen in our backyard? Are we to accept government's blatant disregard and disrespect of High Court stay orders? Will we not hold our civil servants, politicians and policymakers accountable to why these people who support our entire economy are not given adequate housing?
Is it not our Bengali value to stand up against atrocities? Is it not our religious duty to fight for social justice and help the less fortunates especially during the month of Ramadan? Are these duties and values not the foundation of our bhadralok shomaj?
Shahana Siddiqui works on urban poverty and is a member of the Drishtipat Writers' Collective (www.drishtipat.org/dpwriters). She can be contacted at dpwriters@drishtipat.org.
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NDBUS Human Chain in Protest of Eviction

2010-08-12T00:45:00.001-07:00

Sat Tala 10 Aug 2010

2010-08-10T00:58:00.000-07:00

Meet the press is published on the daily news

2010-08-09T02:35:00.000-07:00

http://www.dhakanews24.com/%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%B0%2C-mohanogor/11127.html
[Click on the link for accessing the reporters unity meet the press]

Meet the press on 'No Eviction without Rehabilitation' by NDBUS on August 8, 2010 at 3 pm at Dhaka Reporters Unity'

2010-08-08T06:32:00.000-07:00

UN study warns of failure to plan rapid urbanisation

2010-08-08T01:53:00.000-07:00

Xinhua . United Nations
aimed at retarding urban growth and depriving the poor of benefits and services increase poverty and environmental degradation, creating serious long-term problems that could be avoided by enlightened planning, a new United Nations study said Friday.
The study, published in the United Nations Friday by the United Nations Population Fund and the International Institute for Environment and Development, examined Brazil, whose urban growth has been considerably more rapid than the countries in Europe and North America.
At present, Brazil’s urban centres represent 80 per cent of the country’s population — up from 36 per cent in 1950. But while cities now provide 90 per cent of the country’s wealth, more than a quarter of its urban citizens are below the poverty line, and one in 15 lives in extreme poverty.
Rather than addressing social inequalities and planning for urban growth, Brazil had adopted policies that discriminated against urban settlement by poor people, according to the study.
As a result, millions of people are excluded from key services and other benefits of urban life, while facing immense social, economic and environmental challenges — such as crime, pollution, unsafe housing and preventable diseases.
The co-authors of the study was George Martine, a former UNFPA staff member and past president of the Brazilian Association of Population Studies, and Gordon McGranahan, of the International Institute for Environment and Development. He said it had lessons for other developing nations.
‘The story of Brazil’s urban growth shows how deep-rooted inequalities have combined with negative policy stances to generate many of the social and environmental problems that still plague Brazilian society,’ Martine said.
‘Policymakers in Africa and Asia should embrace and plan for urban growth, so they can take full advantage of its potential to contribute to development, rather than vainly attempting to prevent it as Brazil did,’ he added.
‘A ‘business-as-usual’ approach that simply reacts to urban growth will be utterly inadequate,’ said McGranahan. ‘To minimise the negative impacts of rapid urban growth, developing countries can learn from Brazil’s experiences and, especially, its mistakes. ‘
According to the latest projections, Africa’s urban population is expected to grow by 936 million in the first half of this century while Asian cities will grow by more than 2 billion.
The critical first step, the study concluded, is for policymakers to recognise the rights of poor people to live in cities and share in the benefits of urban life. The next is to plan ahead for their land and housing needs within a constantly updated vision of sustainable land use. This not only improves the lives of the poor, but enables the city to become prosperous and habitable for all.
‘Urbanisation and massive urban growth in developing countries loom as some of the most critical determinants of economic, social and ecological well-being in the 21st century,’ said Martine. ‘ Policymakers can learn much from the experience of Latin American countries — and especially Brazil — that have already gone through an early urban transition.’

Source :
http://www.newagebd.com/2010/aug/08/front.html

Eviction without relocation is anti-people, anti-poor

2010-08-06T21:54:00.000-07:00

ONCE again, the poor have had to bear the brunt of what is understood as developmental activity. Sattala slum in Mahakhali which housed about five thousand people has been razed within a matter of hours. The residents who are mostly poor apparel workers and transport workers find themselves in the streets, forced to bivouac under the open sky with their children, the aged and the sick. They had lived in the area for thirty years. It is alleged that not all residents were given time enough to retrieve their belongings and no notice of eviction was served; but this is refuted by the officials concerned.
New Age on Friday published a moving report accompanied by a photograph on the sudden plight of the poor people faced with the onslaught of the bulldozer. According to the report, the stated purpose of the demolition drive was to recover land (5 acres and 28 decimals) for construction of the physiotherapy college. The land, it was also stated, belongs to the health directorate.
Slum dwelling is not an enviable situation in life and the very existence of a slum is symbolic of inequality and exploitation. But slums should disappear in the process of economic uplift of the people and not via the bulldozer. Rehabilitation of the slum dwellers is the key question here. And there is a court ruling that no eviction can be effected without rehabilitation. This court ruling is repeatedly violated by the authorities. Even if from the legalistic point of view the government has done no wrong in reclaiming its own land, it has certainly erred in handling the human aspect of the matter. And it is vain to talk of legality when a court verdict has been violated.
The government could postpone for years the relocation of tannery factories and harmful industrial plants but was quick to run the bulldozer over the dwellings of the poor. In the event of the sudden and peremptory eviction the pro-people credentials of the government will be seriously marred.

Source : Editorial, NewAge
http://www.newagebd.com/2010/aug/07/edit.html

Sattala slum razed without rehabilitating dwellers

2010-08-06T21:52:00.000-07:00

Staff Correspondent

A demolition squad of the directorate general of health services razed the Sattala slum at Mahakhali to the ground on Thursday ignoring the outcry of the poor, living there for more than three decades.
Health Service sources said, the shanties were dismantled to make room for the government to build a physiotherapy college on the five-acre and 28 decimal plot.
They said that the government had allocated Tk 50 crore for building the college.
A detachment of about 300 police joined a health service team, led by a senior assistant secretary of the health ministry Shafiquzzaman and an executive magistrate, to demolish the slum.
Hundreds of slum dwellers blocked the slum entrance, chanting slogans opposing the wholesale eviction without rehabilitation, in a vain effort to foil their eviction, as the demolition squad reached the spot.
Ignoring the slum dwellers’ protests, the demolition squad dismantled over 500 shanties until the evening rendering thousands without a shelter.
The slum dwellers, seen leaving the spot with whatever they had, said that they had nowhere to look for new shelters.
The health service director general Munir Hussain declined to comment on the question, why the authorities were evicting the slum dwellers without rehabilitating them.
A health ministry official accompanying the demolition squad, said, the authorities had issued several notices asking the slum dwellers to leave as the government had taken the project for the construction of the Physiotherapy College.
Physiotherapy students, supported by physiotherapists, have been agitating for weeks demanding immediate construction of the government physiotherapy college.

Source : http://www.newagebd.com/2010/aug/06/front.html#6

334 NGOs shut in four months Corruption, misuse of foreign funds, patronisation of militancy alleged

2010-08-04T21:53:00.000-07:00

Thursday, August 5, 2010Front Page

334 NGOs shut in four months
Corruption, misuse of foreign funds, patronisation of militancy alleged
Alpha Arzu

The government cancelled registration of 334 non-government organisations (NGOs) in the last four months for their involvement in corruption, misuse of foreign funds and patronisation of militancy.

The NGO Affairs Bureau (NGOAB) launched a stringent drive to clean up the sector and seized moveable and non-moveable property of these organisations, which were operating in the name of social welfare, charity and volunteerism.

The move is significant as NGOAB had cancelled only 56 foreign-funded NGOs in the last two decades since 1990.

The bureau cancelled the registration in April, May, June, July and August-2, after a series of probes into violation of rules and laws to run foreign-funded projects in the country.

An official at the NGOAB told The Daily Star, "We could not give you details of the cause of cancelling the NGOs' registration as the offences vary from organisation to organisation."

Speaking anonymously, an NGOAB director said some organisations were supposed to run their activities in orphanages and religious places. But the intelligence agencies and NGOAB investigators did not find any such activities and feared that those NGOs were involved in militant activities.

The director added some NGOs were also involved in various kinds of corruption including recruitment of consultants and higher officials, and nepotism in appointment and governing body formation.

"Some also brought foreign funds showing a project which was really not being implemented in the grassroots level. They only ran some small-scale activities to attract donors," he said.

Insiders say the punished NGOs were supposed to submit annual audit reports to the bureau. But the submitted reports were not comprehensive, especially those related to expenditures, and no-one could get details of where the money ultimately went.

On June 6, the bureau cancelled registration of Bangladesh Center for Workers Solidarity (BCWS) for creating chaotic situations in garment industry. The organisation started functioning in 2004 to run two day care centres for working mothers in Badda and Khilgaon.

The project was completed in 2006 but the organisation started two branch offices in Gazirchat in Savar and Ashulia by taking foreign donation without NGOAB's permission.

Investigators found that BCWS was involved in creating instability among garment workers in Narayanganj, Savar, Gazipur and Ashulia.

NGOAB Director (registration) AM Saiful Hasan ordered the Dhaka district administration to seize the moveable and unmovable property of BCWS and froze its bank account.

Officials say the bureau's mechanism to monitor expenditures of foreign donation is virtually dysfunctional.

One of the three directors of the bureau cited shortage of manpower, lack of accountability of the field administration, and underhand dealings between NGOAB officials and NGO executives as major reasons for misappropriation of funds.

The bureau initiated to shut down these NGOs registration after getting allegations from project areas, beneficiaries and even NGO insiders. Most of NGOs were found with financial indiscipline and contradiction in managing boards, which mainly comprised with family members.

Other cancelled NGOs include the Center for Development Initiative (CDI), Center for Social Development, Bangladesh Palli Unnayan Sangstha, Center for Community Development, Anjuman-E-Ittehad Bangladesh, Bangladesh Private Medical Practitioners Association, Association for Integrated Development (AID), Shishu Bikash Kendra, Association for Social Development Organization (ASDO), Hillary Foundation Bangladesh, Center for Ethnic Children, and Center for Rural and Social Development.

More NGOs are likely to face the same fate, as the bureau will continue its drive, insiders add.

Source:
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=149474"

........the government had plans to build software parks in Kaliakoir and Mohakhali. But they are stalled because of technical problems and high densi

2010-08-04T06:34:00.000-07:00

Janata Tower to become first software park
Staff Correspondent
All is set to turn the abandoned and much talked about 11-storey Janata Tower at the capital's Karwan Bazar into the country's first software park.

The park will bring the nation's leading software and hardware companies together so that they can share ideas and technologies, and collaborate towards the development of the country's science and technology, sources said.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took the decision at the National ICT Taskforce meeting held at her office yesterday.

This was the first meeting of the taskforce -- a committee to guide and facilitate the ICT sector of the country -- since Awami League-led alliance assumed office.

According to Anir Chowdhury, the policy adviser to the Access to Information (A2I) programme of the Prime Minister's Office, the government had plans to build software parks in Kaliakoir and Mohakhali. But they are stalled because of technical problems and high density of population in the areas.

The software park at Karwan Bazar will be built through a Public Private Partnership with an active role from Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS), Bangladesh Computer Samity, Bangladesh Computer Council and the Ministry of Science and ICT, Chowdhury added.

BASIS President Maubub Zaman said the building would offer a number of shared resources such as uninterruptible power supply, telecommunications hubs and high-speed bandwidth.

The park would offer considerable advantages to hosted companies by reducing overhead costs.

Once finalised, the Tk 35 crore project would take nine months to one year to complete, he added.

Janata Tower, abandoned for 10 years, aroused legal disputes and controversies over the years until the decision came yesterday.

The premier also said the government is considering setting up two separate ministries for railway and ICT to ensure better services to the people, UNB adds.

“Railway's role in the country's socio-economic development is enormous. We must ensure best use of railway communication facilities,” the news agency quoted Sheikh Hasina as saying.

On ICT, she said a separate ministry needs to be established for this sector to take the advantage of its unlimited potentials and reach the benefit to the people.

Source:
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=149296

Ward 11_Nagar Daridra Parikrama

2010-08-02T02:22:00.001-07:00

Nagar Daridra Parikrama_Ward 10

2010-07-25T01:59:00.000-07:00

Hannah in Bangladesh: Rahmat Camp

2010-07-12T00:08:00.000-07:00

Hannah in Bangladesh: Rahmat Camp

Hannah visits NDBUS activities in Rahamat Camp, Mirpur

2010-07-11T23:54:00.000-07:00

''It is really great to see the collaboration between UPPR, CUS and NDBUS, and I hope the collaboration produces fruitful results. ................... I think the community will benefit the most from this kind of strategy- beginning with their leadership development and making them "in charge" of the projects in their camp.''

Hannah Sholder
Fulbright Scholar, Bangladesh
September 2009-2010

[After visiting Rahamat Camp on 11 July, 2010.]

Please click on the link http://hsbangladesh.blogspot.com to read about her visit.

General Body Meeting July 8, 2010

2010-07-11T05:25:00.000-07:00

NDBUS general body meets its members on July 8 at CUS 302 Shyamoli to review the ongoing activities alongwith a specific agenda to discuss about CUP’s initiative on establish new BOSC, Setting up a Blood Bank, Inactive members of NDBUS and their replacement etc. The meeting started at 10 am and concluded at noon after a presentation of video documentary on NDBUS activities with support from Urbis, managed by CUS in Dhaka. NDBUS Chairman presided over the meeting and respected NDBUS members Abdul Hai, Abdus Sattar, Yasmin Akhter, Md Harun, Mamtaz Akhter Aduri, M A Rashid Khan spoke on the occasion. M A Rashid Khan, general secretary of NDBUS informed the general members present on various activities going on with Urbis support.

Nagar Daridra Parikrama : Ward-9 : DCC

2010-06-30T01:23:00.000-07:00

UN-Habitat Executive Director Visits Korail, Dhaka

2010-06-21T06:12:00.000-07:00

UN Under Secretary General Anna Tibaijuka, who is also the Executive Director of UN-Habitat visits Korail, the biggest low income settlement area in Dhaka on 21st June. She was welcomed by the NDBUS EC member Fatema Akhter alongwith others from the community. She visited the community and learnt from the CDC leaders on their experience with UPPRP towards reduction of urban poverty.

Ngar Daridra Parikrama : Ward-8 : DCC

2010-06-21T04:40:00.000-07:00

Nagar Daridra Parikrama : Ward 7: DCC

2010-06-17T01:24:00.000-07:00

NDBUS Formed 10 Zonal Committees in DCC

2010-06-15T00:35:00.000-07:00

To mobilise the organisation and ensure representation of the urban poor in Dhaka, NDBUS has formed all 10 Zonal Committees in 10 Zones of DCC area. The formal introduction of the committee members will be done in the last week of June after a pre-welcome meeting with the designatories in the Zonal Committees. The meeting is scheduled to be held on 19th June.

MIS Software for NDBUS Savings Program

2010-06-15T00:31:00.000-07:00

To maintain highest degree of professionalism and transparency in NDBUS Savings Program, NDBUS has acquired a MIS Software to take input of all the savers basic hh data and deposit. The program is being tested and likely to cover all the savings members of NDBUS. Till to date NDBUS has 115 Savings Group in Zone 8 of DCC.

Nagar Daridra Parikrama: Ward-6:DCC

2010-06-07T22:13:00.000-07:00

Nagar Daridra Parikrama: Ward-5

2010-06-03T04:04:00.000-07:00

UPPRP OPR MISSION VISITS RAHAMAT CAMP

2010-05-31T21:33:00.000-07:00

An Output Purpose Review (OPR) Mission of UPPRP visited NDBUS pilot project area called Rahamat camp under the UPPRP Program. Within the camp one community called Concern Camp was taken for demonstration of the Community Action Planning process. NDBUS members in conjunction with UPPRP Team in Dhaka and constant support of Urbis team prepared Community Action Plan (CAP) of one CDC in Rahamat Camp. The community people presented the CAP to the OPR mission on 22nd May 2010.As a part of the CAP, the team also collected HH data of 200 families in Concern Camp to analyse the socio-economic condition of the camp area. The findings were shared with OPR mission at NDBUS office as well as discussion on various aspects of NDBUS-UPPRP partnership activities.

100 Savings Group of NDBUS Savings Program

2010-05-31T21:22:00.000-07:00

NDBUS savings program has opened 100th savings group on 31st May 2010. These all include a total of 1500 members of NDBUS. Deposited amount of the members in two categories of deposit Tk 50 and Tk 100 per month by the group members reach to 1,95,400 BDT.

Congratulations to the savings team!

Nagar Daridra Parikrama: Kafrul-Ward-04:DCC

2010-05-25T03:42:00.000-07:00

Free Blood Group Camp By NDBUS Karail

2010-05-25T02:09:00.000-07:00

Nagar Daridra Parikrama: Mirpur-Pallbi-Ward-03:DCC

2010-05-19T03:09:00.000-07:00

Nagar Daridra Parikrama: Mirpur-Pallabi: Ward 02: DCC

2010-05-12T23:00:00.000-07:00

Nagar Daridra Parikrama: Uttara : Ward 1:DCC

2010-05-08T05:38:00.000-07:00

NDBUS Contributes in a Bangla Daily featuring Urban Poor in Dhaka City Corporation Area

2010-04-30T21:09:00.000-07:00

The Daily Bhorer Kagoj will be publishing news on the urban poor by DCC wards on weekly basis regularly on Monday in its SARA DESH page. NDBUS will contribute the information through their database and a slum mapping study carried out by CUS in 2005.

NDBUS Proposes its Savings Program to UPPRP

2010-04-30T21:06:00.000-07:00

NDBUS has started its savings program for members in Zone 8 as a pilot program where community members’ ownership to the savings is created in a unique way. The business plan and operational plan has been provided to the UPPRP on 28th April by Bryan Winston who was visiting NDBUS. Bryan Winston visited NDBUS activities in Dhaka during 26-30 and presented the business plan before NDBUS EC members. After receiving the comments on the Business plan the program is shared with Mr. Richard Geier, International Project Manager.

Savings

2010-04-28T05:48:00.001-07:00

2010-04-28T05:19:00.000-07:00

Rahamat Camp

2010-04-28T04:51:00.001-07:00

NDBUS FORMS FIRST CDC IN RAHAMAT CAMP

2010-04-26T01:29:00.000-07:00

NDBUS Partnership Development Team has formed its First CDC (Locally known as Consul Camp) in Rahamat Camp. The CDC consists of 10 Primary Groups and composed of 20 members, taking 2 persons from each primary groups.

The CDC is headed by Ms Pervin as Chiarman. Other deignatories are Ms Sahera, Vice Chairman, Secretery Ms Lipi, Treasurer Ms Rosie.

Mobilisation work for formation of other 9 CDCs are ongoing.

NDBUS MEMBERS START THEIR OWN SAVINGS PROGRAMS

2010-04-25T02:57:00.000-07:00

On 21st April 2010, NDBUS started its own savings program in Zone 8 of DCC, commonly known as Mirpur and Pallabi area.The savings program is a new form, devloped with the support of Development Innovations Group, that offers ownership of the community over the savings. NDBUS as an organsiation gets some percentage of service charge from the group members in terms of providing technical support to the group members. Till to date as many as 13 groups have deposited for savings and a good number of groups are in the queue.
NDBUS has been rceieving support from The Dhaka Mercantile Cooperative Bank Ltd., a cooperative bank, in collecting the deposit money from the group members.

The savings program is solely aimed at NDBUS members and is a pilot of NDBUS in Zone 8 area in DCC. The successful model will be replicated in other areas.

NDBUS PROVIDES SUPORTS A LEADING BANGLA DAILY PUBLISHING NEWS FEATURING URBAN POOR IN DHAKA

2010-04-25T02:53:00.000-07:00

NDBUS has been communicating with the editor a leading bangla daily to get space with the news of urban poor on a regular basis. The news will contain urban poor and settlemnts obtianed through NDBUS own resources being supported by the CUS Slum Mapping done in 2005. The published news will be uploaded in the blog site and NDBUS is expecting the publication in the next couple of weeks.

NEW MEMBERS JOIN NDBUS

2010-04-25T02:51:00.000-07:00

A total 100 PCs have been formed in MARCH by the NDBUS Members as a pert of the ongoing membership collection program. It has made a comprehensive work plan to register new urban poor members in the organisation.

NDBUS OPENS ITS NEW OFFICE IN MIRPUR

2010-04-25T02:48:00.000-07:00

DAKHINA VILA
House 4
Lane 3
Section 11
Pallabi, Mirpur
email: ndbusdhaka@gmail.com
web: ndbus.blogspot.com

The office will accomodate UPPRP activities for Rahamat Camp, NDBUS Savings Program and NDBUS Trainings activities for its members.

NDBUS BEGINS ACTIVITIES FOR RAHAMAT CAMP

2010-04-25T02:06:00.000-07:00

NDBUS as a partner of UPPPRP has started mobilisation activities for the urban poor in Rahamat Camp area. The proposal was accepted by the UPPRP, Dhaka and the contact was signed on 21st March 2010.

NDBUS is going start such activities in 9 other communities shortly for which NDBUS has already collected data on those areas and drafted proposal (DRAFT)on three communities as per agreed plan with UPPRP.

NDBUS has Applied to NGO Affairs Bureau

2010-04-23T23:38:00.000-07:00

NDBUS has applied to NGO Bureau for obtaining permission to work as an NGO and receive foreign donations. NDBUS started the application process in mid November 2009 and finally received the requirements from the NGO Affairs Bureau to submit the necessary documents. By this time, they have also received recommendation from the concerned Member of the Parliament.
NDBUS has gathered all relevant information and in the process for obtaining necessary permission from Social Welfare Department. It is expected that NDBUS will be submitting the documents by the end of April 2010 to the NGO Affairs Bureau.

NDBUS Zonal Committee Drive

2010-04-23T23:33:00.000-07:00

As per agreed action plan of NDBUS for January – June, NDBUS has mobilized all its resources under membership development. As a part of the plan, in March 59 primary committees, 8 ward committees, 3 thana committees have been formed under 1 Zonal committee. The newly formed Zonal Committee is in Zone 8, commonly known as Mirpur area in Dhaka city. The primary committee consists 885 persons in total. But the committee has not been declared officially strategically. The NDBUS will officially declare the Zonal Committees organizing events after formation of all 10 Zonal Committees.
NDBUS is expecting to regularise all its ward and thana committees by May 15, 2010.

NDBUS Applied for CUP’s Membership

2010-04-18T01:09:00.000-07:00

NDBUS applied for membership of the Coalition of the Urban Poor (CUP) on March 9, 2010 and the receipt copy of the application has been forwarded to all members of the coalition along with a request letter to accept NDBUS as their co-members through March 11 to 24, 2010. The issue has been accepted by the Executive Committee of CUP as a meeting agenda to be held in May 2010. By this time, members of th sub-committee for accepting new members in CUP has been met on the issues and requested for acceptance of NDBUS as a new member of the coalition working for the urban poor.

Launching of Booklet on Architectural Design of Low Cost Housing

2010-04-11T20:39:00.000-07:00

A book launching event at the Department of architecture, University of Asia Pacific (UAP) House #51, Road # 4/A, Dhanmondi, Dhaka was organized jointly by the University of Asia Pacific and the Centre for Urban Studies (CUS), Dhaka on April 8, 2010, Thursday at 5:30 pm.
Prof. Nazrul Islam, Chairman University Grants Commission of Bangladesh was the chief guest and Prof. Dr. Abdul Matin Patwary, Vice Chancellor of University of Asia Pacific was present as the special guest. Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB)President was also present among other architects, planners.
UPPRP Project Director Mr Ali Ahmed, International Program Manager Mr Richard Geier were also present and spoke for the importance of such a practice. NDBUS Chairman, General Secretary, Treasure also shared their experince and sought support in reducing their housing problem.
The booklet is an outcome of a workshop on ‘Low Cost Housing for the Urban Poor’ with 4th year students of University of Asia Pacific as part of their studio design organized jointly by Urbis Project Adviser and design teachers of UAP and sponsored by the Urbis: The Urban Capacity Laboratory Program for NDBUS in Dhaka. The urban poor organization of Dhaka city - Nagar Daridra Basteebashir Unnayan Sangstha (NDBUS) also participated at all stages of the workshop.
The booklet presents some of the innovative low cost housing projects proposed by the student groups as rehabilitation and upgrading programs in existing and proposed locations of Dhaka City Corporation (DCC).
The booklet is prepared with the idea of sharing and disseminating practical solutions among civil society and policy makers for improvement of slum and squatters settlements in Dhaka and all urban areas of Bangladesh.

NDBUS signs MOU with DMCBL for providing facilities to NDBUS Savings Program

2010-04-07T00:46:00.000-07:00

MoU between NDBUS and DMCBL to provide savings facilities to NDBUS members in slum and squatter settlements of DCC has been signed on 7th April at Dhaka Mercantile Cooperative Bank Ltd. (DMCBL)'s office with presence of visiting savings Expert from Chennai, Ms D. Buvaneswari. Ms Salma A. Shafi, Project Adviser, Urbis and Chairman of DMCBL, Mr Abu Zafar Chowdhury was also present.
NDBUS Chairman Mr Abdul Hamid Fakir and Mr Belayet Hossain, Vice Chairman of DMCBL signed on behalf of respective organisation.

Under this MOU, NDBUS and DMCBL will work in partnership to implement the NDBUS savings program. Specifically, each organization will be responsible for the following:

NDBUS : NDBUS will be responsible to:

1. NDBUS will form savings groups initially in Mirpur and then in other slum areas around Dhaka.
2. Each savings group will be directed to complete the DMCBL account opening forms to set up a bank account in the group’s name with three group members as signatories.
3. Account members will comply with all DMCBL banking norms and requirements.
4. NDBUS will share the different DMCBL savings deposit schemes with members (terms and interest rates).
5. NDBUS will provide detail savings groups meeting schedule which will include group name, date, time and place (location) of group meeting to concerned Branch Manager of DMCBL

DMCBL : DMCBL will be responsible to:

1. Open accounts in the name of the NDBUS group.
2. Provide banking services to NDBUS and its members per the same standards and services offered to all of its clients.
3. Collect monthly savings at the monthly group meeting location and provide the deposit “challan” to the group at that same time without fail.
4. DMCBL will pay 8.5% profit on group savings fund twice in a year i.e., in December and June closing as per existing rules.
5. Assume responsibility for funds collected once the deposit “challan” is given.
6. For withdrawal of funds, the group must present a resolution stating the amount to be withdrawn and to which member it will go. The resolution must be signed by all group members.

Two Day Long Savings Program's Training for Community Liasions

2010-04-07T00:35:00.000-07:00

NDBUS Savings Programs arranged two day training sessions for 12 CLs and 2 community promoters for its saving activities in Zone 8. The two day Community Liasion Induction Training SChedule included CLs responsibility, Group Formation, How to record keeping, how to conduct group meeting and the systems designed for the NDBUS Savings Program. The two day works also include group work and hand on training with arrangement of a demo of group meeting.
The training was conducted by Mr A K M Saiduzzaman Milon and Mr David Biswas with support from D. Buvaneswari, Savings Expert from Capaston Finnacial Services, Chennai, India.
The training is being participated by the all members of the savings team of NDBUS.

NDBUS Activities in DCC Wards

2010-02-13T22:05:00.000-08:00

The green areas are Wards with NDBUS Primary Committees. A total of 14 wards are found with no slums and squatters though NDBUS plans to form committees by the poor people residing in those wards. The wards are seen as white.

NDBUS Organized Their First Members Conference

2010-02-13T03:43:00.000-08:00

The first Members’ Conference of NDBUS was held at LGED Hall Room in Dhaka on 7th February 2010. Representative of 580 Primary Committees of NDBUS participated in this daylong program. Mr. A K M Mozammel Haque Honorable M P and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Land Ministry was present as chief guest of inaugural session, presided over by Mr. Hamid Fakir of NDBUS. Professor Nazrul Islam, Chairman, University Grants Commission of Bangladesh and Engineer Ali Ahmed, National Project Director of Urban Partnership for Poverty Reduction Project (UPPRP) were present as special guests. Representative of government organizations, NGOs and media also present in the inaugural session. The next session included group for understanding mission statement of NDBUS and forming zonal groups from the respective wards under 10 zone areas in Dhaka City Corporation area. In third session, Group works by zonal groups were presented by their group representative who worked for group members’ comments/suggestions as facilitator. All participants enjoyed a cultural program performed by children wings of NDBUS who presented NDBUS activities through a short play. They also performed dance, songs, etc.

NDBUS Executive Committee Sets Goals of 2010

2010-01-09T00:54:00.000-08:00

A two days strategic planning meeting was organised in January 6-7, 2010 at Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD), Comilla. The meeting set the strategic goals of 2010 after group works and planning exercises. The exercise was done by the EC members divided into three groups. The two days strategic planning session was participated by all members of EC,NDBUS.
The retreat was facilitated by the DIG delegates Bryan Winston, Eric Adams and Urbis Project Advisor in Dhaka Salma A. Shafi. Sharifa Pastori, Senior Program Officer, DIG was also present in the planning exercises along with CUS team.

Happy New Year 2010

2009-12-31T00:12:00.000-08:00

NDBUS wishes you all a very happy new year!

UN Team visits Rahamat Camp

2009-12-04T20:40:00.000-08:00

On December 4, 2009 a team of UN visits communities in Rahamat Camp in Pallabi. The UPPRP team arranged the visit with support of NDBUS, an organisation of the urban poor in Dhaka. [Details will be uploaded soon.]

NDBUS Members Visit UPDF in Cambodia

2009-12-02T03:53:00.000-08:00

EID MUBARAK

2009-11-26T20:42:00.000-08:00

NDBUS wishes all a very happy EID MUBARAK. May the Almighty blessed us all to have the lessons of Sacrifice.
[NDBUS office will open on DEC 1, 2009 after eid vacation.]

NDBUS Celebrates First Anniversary

2009-11-25T02:52:00.001-08:00

NDBUS Organized a Discussion Meeting with Primary Committee Members on NDBUS Savings Program

2009-11-17T21:49:00.000-08:00

NDBUS arranged a discussion meeting on savings program with their primary committee members in zone 8 of DCC which include 8 wards (ward no. 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,15). The meeting was conducted by Pallabi Thana Chairperson of NDBUS.

The meeting started with presentation of data analysis by NDBUS savings coordinator Mr. A K M Saiduzzaman. The presentation was done on data collected from 122 primary committee of NDBUS in zone 8 of DCC during November 3-14, 2009 by 12 ward representative. More than 200 NDBUS members of Zone 8 were present in the meeting and exchanged their views on savings issues. All except a few members expressed their willingness for savings, after an elaborate discussion and sharing of views. Data analysis also found that only 14 members in 7 PCs were not interested.

The meeting was warmly participated by the NDBUS members. NDBUS EC members, URBIS coordinator, URBIS Advisor and SOSTA Salma A Shafi was also present in the program.

NDBUS becomes New Partner of UPPRP for Urban Poverty Reduction in Dhaka

2009-11-09T23:21:00.000-08:00

From now on NDBUS and UPPRP will work in partnership to carry out the UPPRP program in a pilot community and subsequently in other communities as agreed on. An MOU has been signed on November 8, 2009 at Urban Partnership for Poverty Reduction Project (www.upprbd.org) Office in Dhaka in presence of UNDP National Coordinator Mr Azhar Ali, UNDP Urban Expert Mr Ashekur Rahman, URBIS Project Adviser and SOSTA Ms Salma A. Shafi, URBIS Coordinator in Dhaka Mr Mehedi Imam.

According to MOU NDBUS will be responsible to:
1.Provide information, perspectives and recommendations to UPPRP on the slum areas of Dhaka that it believes are most deserving of and can most benefit from UPPRP interventions;
2.Share its household member database information on households in the NDBUS recommended communities;
3.Collaborate with UPPRP to conduct household surveys to gather information at the individual and household levels, enhancing knowledge of community issues and conditions, and supporting impact evaluation of the project;
4.Participate in UPPRP training sessions as appropriate;
5.Plan and implement, with UPPRP guidance and support, the formation of primary groups and approximately eight CDCs in the Mirpur area, possibly Rahamat Camp (a Bihari/Bangali community), according to the terms and conditions provided by UPPRP;
6.Implement, upon successful completion of the above, the same in other communities, possibly including those recommended by NDBUS to UPPRP in the meeting on October 10, 2009, attached as Annex 2.
7.NDBUS will typically conduct or be involved in the following activities as noted in the UPPRP process:
a)Socio-economic and other survey of individuals, households and settlements;
b)Formulation of primary groups and organization of CDCs;
c)Physical survey and mapping of existing conditions of social and physical infrastructure in the project areas;
d)Highlight other needs or areas which require development support or intervention;
8.Support socio-economic activities linked to the UPPRP program per mutual agreement between the two parties.

UPPRP will be responsible to:

1.Provide NDBUS with the appropriate training and resources to undertake agreed activities;
2.Bear the cost of the activities under section 7 above;
3.Share process and project evaluation information with NDBUS during the pilot to ensure that “lessons learned” are identified and that NDBUS and UPPRP enhance process and project implementation as it scales up.

Executive Committee of NDBUS (2008-2010)

2009-11-09T23:19:00.000-08:00

Standing from left: Momtaj Begum, Treasurer, Abdul Zabbar, Social Welfare Secretary, Abdus Sukur Talukdar, Vice President, Abdul Hamid Fakir, President, Momtaj Begum, Vice President, M A Rashid Khan, General Secretary, Sirajul Islam, Joint Secretary, Nurlul Islam, EC Member, Abul Kasem, EC Member, Humayun Kabir, EC Member.

Sitting from left: Momtaj Akter Aduri, Joint Secretary, Miz Mala, EC Member, Raju Akter Mala, EC Member, Fatema Akter, EC Member, Jahanara Islam, Women and Child Secretary.

NDBUS EC Members Review their Ongoing Activities

2009-10-31T21:02:00.000-07:00

The EC members of NDBUS met altogether on 31 October 2009 at URBIS Meeting Room, CUS to review their ongoing activities according to URBIS action plan designed for month July to December 2009. The NDBUS EC finds 30 Wards have been visited and Ward and Primary committees have been trained with Advocacy and Mushroom. Their database is also completed.

The members are optimistic to complete all the Wards by November 2009. The meeting was conducted by Mr. Hamid Fakir with support from Ms. Momtaj Akter Aduri.

URBIS started initiative to start own Savings and Credit Program for NDBUS

2009-10-27T20:25:00.000-07:00

On 22 October 2009 URBIS Capacity Building Support for NDBUS met the NDBUS EC members and concerned primary committee representatives to start the mobilisation work of the proposed NDBUS Savings and Credit Schemes.
Mr Tapan K. Saha talked with the members and tried to understand existing savings practices within NDBUS.
Mr. Abdul Hamid Fakir, Chairman, NDBUS, Ms Salma A. Shafi, Project Adviser and SOSTA and Mehdi Imam, URBIS Coordinator was present in the meeting.
NDBUS EC members as well as the concerned ward committee members appreciated the inception of the savings design for NDBUS. They expressed their total support in providing total support to the team to make it a successful.

NDBUS Members Receive Disaster Management Training

2009-10-24T23:29:00.000-07:00

Delivery of legal study findings on land tenure security to NDBUS members

2009-10-24T22:54:00.000-07:00

On October 21, 2009 a session was conducted by URBIS Capacity Building Support Project to deliver the study on exploring land tenure security within existing legal framework for dwellers residing in slums and squatters in Dhaka. The session was participated by the NDBUS members from Korail and Rayerbazar – the two study area. NDBUS EC members also joined the meeting.
The objective of the meeting was to review study information on housing rights and eviction prevention to ensure that the poor are aware of their rights and responsibilities through conducting meetings and workshop.
In accordance with the objective, the study was translated in to Bangla (local language) and distributed among the participants. The session delivered information related to Relevant Laws, Constitution, Rent Control Act, Land Recovery Act, Highcourt landmark judgment. URBIS Coordinator in Dhaka Mehedi Imam conducted the session.
Ms Salma A. Shafi, Project Adviser and SOSTA, concluded the session after discussing the study in line with existing housing rights and practices of Bangladesh. She also presented relevant examples of housing projects taken so far for various income groups in Bangladesh.
A total of 21 persons participated in the sessions and were requested to provide feedback on the study. The project team assured the participants and NDBUS EC members of extended support in future for a better understanding of the study among the members.

NDBUS General Committee Members meet on Oct 6 at URBIS Meeting Room of CUS

2009-10-07T09:30:00.000-07:00

The members committee members of NDBUS met all together on October 6, 2009 to review its various activities and carry out some routine activities for the organisation. The meeting was significant for it was being held after the world habitat day observed on Oct 5 when NDBUS executive committee members met housing savings groups among their members.
The General Committee members were informed about the ongoing activities and future plan. The members were requested to provide the EC members to provide suggestion and directives best fit to the organisation. The day long meeting ended at 5 pm. 41 members out of 45 were present in the day long event.

NDBUS Meets Housing Savings Groups on World Habitat Day 2009

2009-10-05T22:11:00.000-07:00

NDBUS organised a meeting to celebrate the world habitat day on 5 October 2009 at URBIS meeting room,Centre for Urban Studies (CUS), Dhaka at 3 pm. The meeting was graced by Ms Salma A. Shafi, Project Adviser, URBIS and Honorary Treasurer, CUS. The meeting was participated by the members of housing savings groups under a number of ward areas.

EID MUBARAK

2009-09-19T00:42:00.000-07:00

NDBUS wishes a very happy Eid Mubarak to all its members, well-wishers and patrons.

URBIS Team of DIG Visits Dhaka Activities

2009-08-26T20:21:00.000-07:00

On 23rd August 2009, Bryan Winston and Eric Adams arrived Dhaka to visit URBIS Capacity Building Support for NDBUS. During their stay, they visited and attened a number of activities going on as part of July - Decemeber Action Plan prepared by CUS-NDBUS.
On 26th August Mr Bryan and Mr Eric met the NDBUS Members at CUS and shared urbis learning and experinces. They also attended the NDBUS EC meeting as special guest. The meeting was followed by Iftar where CUS General Secretery Dr Nurul Islam Nazem was also present.
In the discussion, the visiting team of DIG who are presently stationed at India expressed their willingness to visit NDBUS frequently so that NDBUS can have more focused activities towards URBIS objective. NDBUS members welcomed their willingness and expected their greater support in fulfilling their goals.
During their stay, the team also met the UPPRP at LGED, who have started the largest poverty reduction project in Korail, Dhaka.

NDBUS gets members trained in Skin and Beauty Care

2009-08-06T01:34:00.000-07:00

On August 5, 2009 the evaluation of 5 members of NDBUS in Beauty Care Training was done in presence of the Project Adviser and SOSTA, Salma A. Shafi, URBIS Capacity Building Support for NDBUS in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
5 members received a month long 'on the job training' on skin and beauty care for which NDBUS finds possibility of a large number employment in future.
NDBUS is presently working on developing a work plan on way to utilize the resources in earning and creation of employment opportunity for potential females among their members.

NDBUS is going to open its 3rd day care centre at Pallabi

2009-08-01T06:02:00.000-07:00

NDBUS is going to open its third Day Care Centre at Pallabi, Mirpur from the first week of August, 2009 to serve the need of working parents in Pallabi area who are primary committee members of NDBUS. Two other centres are run by NDBUS at Korail and Rayerbazar. These two centres are being financially supported by family members of Salma A. Shafi and some CUS members.

Management
NDBUS runs the day care centres with advisory support from URBIS Project Adviser Salma A. Shafi. Day care centres have been set up within the slum area, close to the children’s home and are taken care of by female teachers. Main meals of the children are provided by their parents while the program provides snacks (Banana, Bread, Milk, Seasonal Fruits etc.). They are taught with pre-school lessons on alphabets, counting, learning rhymes etc. following a daily routine. NDBUS Executive Committee member Ms Fatema Akhter has been looking after the centres as Coordinator, Day care centre.

Number of Children
Korail Day care centre accommodates 20 children between 6-10 years ages of which 14 are girls. They are being looked after by Ms. Akhi Akhter, a member of NDBUS.

Rayer Bazar day care centre accommodates 16 children of 4-10 years ages of which 8 are boys. They are being taken care of by Ms Parul Akhter, member NDBUS.

Both the day care centres maintain an attendance register with stamp size photograph of the children. A register is also maintained to monitor the items provided as snacks for the children.

Day Care Time
Both the centre runs from 9 am in the morning and finishes at 5 pm keeping Friday as a holiday.

Medical Checkup
A medical check up was taken in June 2009 by a Physician to record their physical conditions and well being as a part of regular health monitoring of these children. Medicines for emergency cases are also provided to the day care centres by Professor Dr Razia Mahmud.

Financial Support
Family members and friends of Feroza Awwal bear the expenditure which includes house rent, care taker’s salary and snacks for the children on a monthly basis.

Family Members Involvement
Parents of the children at day care centres have been requested to pay a service charge of Tk. 50 per month with an admission fee of Tk. 100 with effect from August 2009. This is proposed to ensure involvement of the parents with the day care centre and also with NDBUS as an organization. The money will be received by NDBUS.

Water logged Dhaka and urban sufferings

2009-08-01T05:39:00.000-07:00

The pictures say all the sufferings! Photo credit goes to Harald Sterly (University of Cologne) and Asadul Islam (CUS).

URBIS Conference in ABIDJAN, 3-5 June 2009

2009-06-18T02:36:00.000-07:00

A three day conference was held in ABIDJAN, capital of Cot d'Ivoire on 3-5 June with participants from Angola,Brazil,Kenya,Morocco,Vietnam,Bangladesh and the host country Cot d'Ivoire. Representtaive from Bill and Melinda Gates foundation was also present during the three day conference.
A study tour to visit a project area in Abidjan where bnted is working was also included in the conference schedule beside presentation and discussions of respective country.
Salma A. Shafi, Project Adviser and SOSTA in Dhaka and Mehedi Imam, URBIS Coordinator in Dhaka presented Dhaka to the conference.

Prayer for Mr. M. A. Mannan

2009-05-21T00:56:00.000-07:00

A meeting to pray for late Mr. Mannan, Chairperson of Nagar Daridro Basteebashir Unnayan Sangstha (NDBUS) was held at the T&T mosque, Korail on 20^th May, 2009 after Asar’s Prayer (in the afternoon). URBIS Project Advisor Salma A. Shafi; Architect Khadem Ali, Vice Chairman of Centre for Urban Studies (CUS) were present in the gathering. Different NGO officials along with members from different committees of NDBUS and his relatives & well-wishers were also present in the prayer session to pray for his eternal peace.Earlier, URBIS team in Dhaka laid down floral wreath at the grave on behalf of DIG.

Obituary to Mr. M. A. Mannan

2009-05-19T23:23:00.000-07:00

Mr M A Mannan, Chairperson of Nagar Daridra Basteebashir Unnayan Sangstha (NDBUS) died on 17 May 2009 at 1530 hrs at National Heart Foundation hospital following a cardiac failure. He has been laid to rest at Banani graveyard. He left his wife, daughter and two sons, thousands of well wishers, colleagues, friends, and relatives to mourn his sudden and untimely demise.

Mr Mannan dedicated his life for the urban poor and was an advocate for establishing rights of the poor people living in slums and squatters; and lobbied at different levels of government and non-government activities. He was the founder chairperson of Basteebashir Odhikhar Surrakkha Committee (BOSC) formed in 1999 to protest slum eviction of the then government. In 2008 the organization became registered under Dhaka Social Welfare Office as Nagar Daridra Basteebashir Unnayan Sangstha (NDBUS).

During his lifetime of work for the urban poor, he closely worked with Centre for Urban Studies (CUS), Coalition for the Urban Poor (CUP), Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), BLAST, DSK and many other national and international NGOs and donors working in the field of poverty reduction in urban areas of Bangladesh.

Centre for Urban Studies (CUS) is presently working for capacity building of the urban poor through Nagar Daridra Basteebashir Unnayan Sangstha (NDBUS) with support from URBIS Program of Development Innovations Group (DIG).

DIG Advisor's short visit to Dhaka 6-8 May 2009

2009-05-09T03:41:00.000-07:00

Michael David Jenkins, Senior Program Advisor paid a short visit to Dhaka on May 6-8, 2009. During this visit he met the NDBUS executive committee members at their office and visited ongoing training programmes on computer hardware and troubleshooting and mobile repair and servicing where he discussed about the learning objectives of the young members of the organisation. The young members were happy to have him among themselves in a training sessions and expressed that these training will help them in raising their ability in doing better be it employment or confidence building.

Later, Michael Jenkins visited to the newly opened day care centre at Korail and on the way he also visited to bag making shops, furniture shops, mobile outlets, spice selling etc. being run under NDBUS initiatives in Korail.

On last day of his visit, Michael Jenkins met the UPPRP expert on land tenure and expressed that they will be working for poverty reduction of the poor in Dhaka where NDBUS and URBIS project team will provide support.

2009-04-14T22:01:00.000-07:00

Dear all,

Wish you seasons greetings & a very Happy Bengali New Year 1416.

"SHUVO NABOBORSHO"

Please accept our warm wishes and convey our greetings to your family members also.

Happy New Year to all NDBUS Members, URBIS Project staff & DIG family.

Executive Committee Members
NDBUS
Dhaka
Bangladesh.

CUS arranges 2-day long Presentation on Studio Design on Low Cost Housing

2009-04-09T04:06:00.000-07:00

Studio workshop on ‘low cost housing’ by 4th year students of the Department of Architecture, University of Asia Pacific was presented at the University of Asia Pacific on 29th March on low cost models for Korail (3 models), Rayerbazar (4 models) and Kalshi (3 models). The design workshop selected best five participants groups for a presentation on 8th April 2009 at CUS. Models and design sheets were put on display for NDBUS members and visitors for the next two days.

The Studio Workshop on Low Cost Housing Proposed by the 4th year students of the Department of Architecture, University of Asia Pacific was arranged at the Centre for Urban Studies (CUS). The program held on 8th and 9th of April as a part of the "Urbis Capacity Building Support for NDBUS in Dhaka".

Five groups presented their low cost housing design on three areas: Korail, Rayer bazar and Kalshi (Mirpur).

Professor Nazrul Islam, Chairman University Grants Commission of Bangladesh and Honorary Chairman, Centre for Urban Studies; Dr. Nurul Islam Nazem, Dept. of Geography & Environment, University of Dhaka; Dr. A.Q.M. Mahboob, Professor, Dept. of Geography & Environment, University of Dhaka; Dr. Hamida Hossain, Founder Member, Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), Representative form ARBAN, Shakti Foundation for the Disadvantaged, Eminent Architects, Faculties of Department of University of Asia Pacific (UAP), NDBUS Executive Members were present in the presentation. Salma A. Shafi, Project Adviser conducted the programme.

The housing models demonstrated design practices of the students under guidance of their faculty members while Salma A. Shafi contributed to the students individually in practicing and successful demonstration of implementable low cost housing design.

NDBUS Chairman, in his reaction to the design practice, expressed his gratitude to the project and expected such practice would attract notice of the concerned at policy making level and they would come forward to implement some models as examples.

NDBUS Team visits three UPPRP towns - Sirajganj, Kushtia and Mymnsingh

2009-03-27T20:49:00.000-07:00

A team of 45 members of NDBUS visited three pourashava towns on 22, 23 and 25th March 2009. The team in three pourashavas (Sirajganj, Kushtia and Mymensingh) visited CDCs (Community Development Centre), discussed about the procedures of ongoing activities under UPPRP. Prior to the visit, an orientation was conducted on 21st January by the UPPRP at Bengal Cafe, arranged by URBIS Capacity Building Support for NDBUS in Dhaka, Bangladesh. (For details please visit http://ndbus.blogspot.com/2009/01/briefing-relating-pre-study-tour-at.html).

Anti Eviction Bill drafted and placed in the parliament

2009-03-18T05:59:00.000-07:00

With support of the project team and their working relation in the recently completed parliament election, CUS and NDBUS members came into close contact with an influential lawmaker of Dhaka city and appealed to him for ensuring their tenure security. CUS organized a meeting between the URBIS project team, CUS and NDBUS representative in January where DIG team members were also present. As a follow up of this discussion, the project team drafted an anti-eviction bill on 25th January 2009. The bill has already been raised by the Parliamentarian to stop eviction in an inhumanly manner and forwarded to the concerned ministry (Ministry of Land) for vetting.
CUS, NDBUS and URBIS team are hopeful that this step will be fruitful in align with commitments of the government for rehabilitation of the urban poor residing in slum and squatter settlements on government land.

Data Collection of NDBUS Members for Preparation of Database for 20 Wards in DCC Area

2009-03-18T05:51:00.000-07:00

A total of 278 primary groups have been contacted during the month after mobilization of data collection. Each primary group consists of 15 members. At present, the database consists of total 4170 persons and summarily they represent nearly 25000 people, considering household size 5.5 persons.
English version of the database is complete and it is expected that the Bangla version of the database will be complete by mid March.

Preparation of NDBUS Newsletter (Issue 3: February)

2009-03-18T05:50:00.002-07:00

First draft of third issue of the newsletter (Year 2, Volume 1) with support from URBIS project contains writings from URBIS team (both English and Bangla) and different training programs held over the quarter. It also contains summary of trainings and workshops organized under the project since inception of the project.
The issue also publishes contacts of NDBUS members who are skilled in making bags, handicrafts, showpiece, furniture etc. It is expected that the newsletter will open up new opportunities for expansion of employment opportunities for these members.
The team expects a printed version to be available during mid March 2009.

Spoken English Training and Evaluation

2009-03-18T05:50:00.001-07:00

On March 8, 2009 final evaluation of trainees of spoken English held at URBIS Training centre. From the qualified members a few English trainers will provide support in this sector. As majority of students of urban poor groups are weak in English there is a need for teachers with better skills in the field.

Mobile Repairing and Servicing Training and Evaluation

2009-03-18T05:48:00.000-07:00

On 22 February 2009, the final evaluation of the trainees of mobile servicing and repairing was held at URBIS Training centre. All the trainees (10 in Total) participated in the evaluation.
The project is now working on linking employment of successful trainees by helping find contacts for jobs. In this way, the project team is supporting NDBUS initiatives in self-employment.

Computer Hardware Training and Evaluation

2009-03-18T05:46:00.000-07:00

the final evaluation of trainees of computer hardware and troubleshooting was held at URBIS Training centre. Out of 20, 15 were qualified to appear in the final evaluation.The project from now on will be working for providing employment link of the successful trainees. Besides, the project team will support the NDBUS initiative in guiding their self-employment.

Mushroom training concludes on 29th January with selection of two trainers of NDBUS

2009-03-14T00:31:00.000-07:00

After providing training to three groups consisting of 45 members, NDBUS agreed to select trainers from their own resources on mushroom culture. They will train new members as well as start up mushroom cultivation in a big scale.
With a view to select trainers as well as resource person/s among NDBUS members, the project team arranged following selection criteria;
i. Interested candidates will have to conduct training at field level in presence of the project trainer for preliminarily qualification;
ii. Trainers, after being preliminary qualified, will conduct Mushroom Training at URBIS Training Centre in presence of Project Adviser and a mushroom culture expert;
iii. Following the above procedure, the two best ranked persons will be qualified for conducting further mushroom cultivation training for the project and NDBUS.
iv. Finally, they have to start up mushroom cultivation in a big scale to prove their knowledge, skills, organizational and motivational capacity and set up an example of a means of good earning through mushroom cultivation.

According to the above selection criteria, 4 interested female members of NDBUS members participated in the evaluation. Ms Momtaz Akhter Aduri and Ms Rafeza Begum have been selected as the successful trainers as well as resource persons in this field.

The project team is working on arranging further trainings on mushroom culture for them and help start up their own mushroom cultivation. To help women achieve a home based business with small investment is the ultimate objective of this training.

3 Days Long Training on Identifying and Assessment of Employment Opportunities Concludes on 12th February 2009

2009-02-13T23:04:00.000-08:00

3 Days Long Training on Identifying and Assessment of Employment Opportunities Concludes on 12th February 2009. The training was conducted by Mr Khairul Islam and Atahar Hossain for a total of 24 participants of NDBUS. The participants represented various income generation activities and learned various aspects of wage based and self-employment opportunities.

Gender & Women Empowerment Training

2009-02-10T03:20:00.000-08:00

URBIS team has organized ‘Gender and Women Empowerment’ training for NDBUS to empower women through awareness on rights issues, to motivate women who are not engaged in any economic activities to join in the workforce, to motivate women to contribute to their family and nation in socio-economic development. Total of 5 days training will be conducted in February ’09. The first training was held on 09.02.09 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and four more trainings will be held on 3rd and 4th week of February. 75 central, ward and primary committee members will be trained in 5 groups. Each group consists of 15 members and also includes male participants.
The training session was facilitated by URBIS project adviser Salma A. Shafi and training adviser Dr. Farzana Islam (Prof. Anthropology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar). The day long training included- concept, definition, and importance of women empowerment, personal experience sharing on domestic and other types of violence. Participants took part in role play in three situations; on sexual harassment in public transport, eve teasing in public road and markets. The training concluded with Women empowerment & development and question-answer sessions.
Trainees were given handout on ‘Gender and Women Empowerment’ which was discussed at 1st and 4th session with practical examples. In the 2nd session trainees shared various types of harassment related personal experiences. In 5th session all were involved in discussion on how to mitigate such types of occurrences with valuable advice of Dr. Islam. After 20 minutes of preparation 3 groups gave a good performance. The advisers commented on ways to find better solutions during these types of incidents. The training session concluded with ‘frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)’ which were answered by the project adviser and Prof. Islam.
At the end of the session there was an entertainment session where trainees performed at their free will.

NDBUS Distributes Books among Kids with Support from Family Members of Late Feroza Awaal and Abdul Awaal

2009-01-29T03:24:00.000-08:00

NDBUS Meets UPPR Team prior to Visit Narayanganj, Sirajganj and Kushtia

2009-01-21T00:46:00.000-08:00

On 21st January, the URBIS Capacity Building Support Project for NDBUS arranged a briefing session about Urban Partnership for Poverty Reduction (UPPR) with the view to make familiar to NDBUS members the activities of UPPR presently ongoing in 30 cities of Bangladesh with support from DFID.

Michael Slingsby, Project Manager of UPPR delivered a short speech about UPPR project and its ongoing programmes in different districts. He explained the unique funding criteria of the project. Mr. Nazrul Islam, Town Manager Dhaka presented the activities of UPPR. Salma A. Shafi adviser of URBIS program in Dhaka conducted the briefing session.
After presentation of the UPPR Team, Salma A. Shafi, Azharul Islam UNDP Coordinator and Nazrul Islam responded to questions posed by NDBUS members. They emphasised the need for secure tenure and support for strong legal actions to stop evictions without rehabilitation. The participants also asked about female participation in development works, education and intensify activities on health and sanitation and housing schemes in the UPPR activities.
The UPPR team encouraged NDBUS members on taking housing savings program by themselves and assured them of launching housing program to provide shelter for all urban poor in future.

Certificate Awarding Ceremony of NDBUS Trainees

2009-01-12T23:28:00.000-08:00

Certificate Awarding Ceremony for participants of 2nd quarter (November ’08 – February ’09) of NDBUS members was held on the 9th January 2009; Friday at the Centre for Urban Studies (CUS). DIG delegates along with the project team members were present at the ceremony. Members of the Executive Committee of NDBUS were also present.

It was a bright and sunny winter morning. The programme was arranged at the roof top of CUS. The programme was to distribute certificates among 6 different groups of Advocacy training & 5 different groups of Basic Computer Applications training consisting of 129 trainees. The ceremony started with recitation of the national anthem. DIG delegates: Marianne Carliez, URBIS Programme Manager; Asleigh Flesher, Programme Officer, DIG; Craig Matasick, Programme Associate, DIG; were present as special guests. Salma. A. Shafi, the Project Advisor; delivered her introductory speech.

Marianne Carliez, the URBIS Programme Manager remarked “NDBUS should feel proud to have become the largest organization of the urban poor among 7 different countries in the world with which DIG is currently operating in its URBIS programme.”

The short programme was carried out with combined effort of NDBUS members.

Happy New Year 2009

2009-01-01T00:21:00.000-08:00

Dear all,

Wish you seasons greetings & a very Happy New Year 2009.

Please accept our heartiest wishes and convey our greetings to your family members also.

Happy New Year to all NDBUS Members, URBIS Project staff & DIG family.

Executive Committee Members
NDBUS
Dhaka
Bangladesh.

NDBUS Celebrates Victory Day, 16th December 2008

2008-12-16T23:11:00.000-08:00

NDBUS celebrated the Victory Day, 2008 on Tuesday, 16th December with due respect to the Liberation War Martyrs who sacrificed their life in 1971 fighting against The Pakistani Army. The organization led by its general secretary paid homage at the National Mausoleum, Savar in the early morning. They organized various competitions like painting, essay writing and debate for children of NDBUS members at Women Voluntary Association Auditorium at Dhanmondi. The day long event was rounded up by a cultural show. The programme received full support from the Centre for Urban Studies (CUS), Dhaka.

Architect Khadem Ali; Vice Chairman, Dr. Nurul Islam Nazem; General Secretary, Dr. A. Q. M. Mahbub; Member of the Executive Committee and Salma A. Shafi; Treasurer of CUS participated in various events of the day long programme. The Chairperson of the centre Professor Nazrul Islam also visited the venue during the painting session.

The organization welcomed many Freedom Fighters as invited guests during the cultural show. They are members of their localities and as special guests they listened to patriotic songs, poem recitation, drama and music as an acknowledgement of their great contribution and heroic deeds in the liberation war of 1971. The invited freedom fighters shared their feelings with the young generation about their expectation and the reality after 37 years of Liberation in terms of need, socio-economic progress achievement and future. Guests also discussed the importance of the Victory Day in our national life as well as the significance of this celebration.

Prizes were distributed by the guests among the winners of various events of the competitions. The program ended with a well rehearsed cultural function performed by the children of NDBUS members. They demonstrated their cultural brilliance in music, drama etc.

The whole day programme was a gathering of a large number of members, children and relatives of NDBUS. They enjoyed celebration of the Victory Day as the first programme organized by their organization just after being registered as a social welfare organization.