Bangladesh is the country that, since its freedom, has been struggling for social as well as
economic development. Nearly half of its population is living under poverty line and hold back kind
of development initiatives of the country. Furthermore, the huge population density, insufficiency of
natural resources and their inappropriate and inefficient use, recurrent natural disaster, corruption
from individual to highest hierarchy of the state and more often the political turbulence almost on
regular basis are badly disconcerting the development initiatives.
Shariatpur Development Society (SDS) started its operation on September 11, 1991. It has
received registration from Department of Social Welfare in 1992 and from NGO Bureau in 1993.
The registration No. of Social Welfare is Shari-77/92 and that of NGO Bureau is 794/93
respectively.
It has determined its operational area in a place that is not only vulnerable to natural disaster but
also disadvantaged in many ways. Government of Bangladesh has declared Shariatpur district as
one of the 12 poorest districts in the country. In the WFP poverty map the area has been referred
to as poverty zone and according to DAE it has been mentioned as food deficiency area. The
above facts are the consequences of regular flood, cyclone, river erosion and other natural
disaster. SDS from its inception has extended its all out cooperation to the victims of natural
calamity.
SDS, working in the social development arena, has earned a fairly rich experience in disaster
management, micro-finance, education, health, and advocacy for basic services, arbitration and
other social development initiatives. With a group of devoted and committed workforce, SDS has
expanded its scope of operation in diversified areas. As of 30 June, 2007 SDS has enrolled 43874
members in 2122 groups in the micro finance sector. Savings accumulated in the same time form
the members is Tk. 5, 70, 47,302.00. So far 43874 members have received Tk. 66, 13, 77,000.00
under the micro finance sector in its operational area.
'SDS', presently SDS, in course of time, has expanded its course of action in the arena of disaster
management, poverty alleviation, education, health and nutrition, WATSAN, Micro credit program,
advocacy, Arbitration and legal support, Environment, training, agriculture and so on. SDS sets its
development initiative with a vision to establish a society where there will be justice, equity in
gender focused activities and essentially to empower the disadvantaged segment, in particular the
women, in the community and to ensure a sustainable socio-economic improvement in the
livelihood of the target population.
SDS Goal:
Sustainable development through gender equity and poverty alleviation of the disadvantaged
community.
SDS Objectives:
The Major objectives of SDS are:
a) Reduce loss of peoples caused by the disaster Management.
b) Promote and support PHC service for ensuring health and hygienist of women’s in
Bangladesh.
c) Increase awareness for disadvantage people on the importance of Governance,
democracy and human rights.
d) Promote and support education programs focusing on Basic education, non-formal
primary education, adolescent education, adult literacy and continuing education.
e) Provide life skill training to the vulnerable groups specially for women.
f) Endeavor changes in respect of gender relation in family and society to improve situation
of Water, Sanitation and Environment.
g) Raising awareness and provide support and training for increase family income of the
poor community by Income Generating Activities (IGA).
h) To motivate/trained the local Government and community people on disaster
management.
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