Organizational Profile

Organizational Profile

Gram foundation(GF), a non-profit non-government voluntary socio economic development organization is started its development intervention since 2006. GF perceives every development issues as philosopher, thinker and analyst. Every human being possesses in born capacity to positively change his surrounding environment. Unfortunately hostile forces interwoven at different points make it difficult for him to achieve it. However, Gram Foundation has strategically believes in peoples’ participation at the grassroots level to plan for village development. The Gram Foundation model is based on the benefit that for villagers to be involved in community development efforts. They need to be organized in such a way that they can collect and collate their own data about their condition, and based upon data they can formulate plans at their continuous development process. Once they have decided what efforts need to be undertaken, they can call upon government officials to provide the services and assistance that will facilitate the implementation of their plan. Few more focus area like health, environment, child right, disability, women development; vocational training, education for slum, poor meritorious urban/rural children, public knowledge center, etc. are also included in the scope of work of the NGO

1.

Name of the Organization

Gram Foundation (GF).

2.

Type of Organization

:

A project oriented non-profit and service provider organization, working through-out Bangladesh.

3.

Date of Establishment

:

1 June 2006

4.

Legal Status

:

a)

Registered with NGO Affairs Bureau, Registration No. 2700 dt. 21.05.2012.

b)

Directorate of Social Services, Registration No. 744, dt. 18.12.2008.

c)

Joint Stock Company Registration No. S-8480 (501), dt. 24.11.2008.

d)

Directorate of Youth Development, Registration No. 163

5.

Address of the Organization

:

Central Office Address: Housing Estate, Goalchamot Post- Sree Angan-7804 District- Faridpur. Phone: 063166759, 01716500482, ED- 01737766200 E-Mail- gfngo.bd@gmail.com               gramfoundation@yahoo.com

Besides the central offices it has area office at Rajbari & Narail districts and has 7 Upazila offices. It has 35000 organized beneficiaries and 6,12,000 indirect beneficiaries.

6.

Contact Person

:

Syed Moinul Sohid

:

Executive Director

Cell Phone

01937--766200

E-mail Address

ed.gfngo.bd@gmail.com

7.

Vision,  Mission, Goal & Objectives

Vision:

Awareness build up, health, education & socio- economic development.

Mission:

To establish the social and human development of the targeted people.

Goal:

The aim of the organization is to promote the process of participatory, self-reliance, environment friendly sustainable development of the poor to help themselves in alleviating poverty by exploring their potentialities and using local resources for socio-economic development and empowerment.

Objectives Summery:

¨     To create a favourable environment for development where the targeted disadvantaged people can utilize and material resources properly. ¨     To make bridge among the community, government and target groups, so that social gaps is reduced.

8.

Major Field of Activities:

a.       Social Mobilization, Motivation & Group formation. b.      Training, Seminar & Workshop. c.       Education Support Program (ESP).  d.      Child & Adult Education. e.       Income Generating Activities (IGAs). f.       HIV/AIDS Awareness & Equipment Distribution Program.  g.      Health & Nutrition Program. h.      Family Planning & Reproductive Health Program. i.        Disaster Management Relief & Rehab Program. j.        Women Development & Empowerment. k.      Training program for vulnerable women group members.  l.        Disabled Development & Rehab. Program. m.    Capacity & Skill Development Program. n.      Human Right & Child Rights Awareness Program. o.      Rural Water & Sanitation Program. p.      Sustainable Livelihood for hard core poor. q.      Free legal support through case dealings & mediation for woman & disabled

9.

Geographical Coverage

District

Sl

Upzaila(s)

Union(s)

Faridpur

1

Faridpur Sadar

11

2

Boalmari

11

3

Alfadanga

6

4

Charbhadrason

4

5

Sadarpur

9

6

Nagarkanda

9

7

Saltha

8

8

Bhanga

12

9

Madhakhali

9

Rajbari

1

Rajbari Sadar

6

2

Baliakandi

4

3

Goalunda

6

Narail

1

Narail Sador

3

2

Lohagara

5

3

Kalia

3

10.

Areas office & upozillas office address

SL

District Name

Name of Upozilla

Address

1

Faridpur

1

Faridpur Sador

Housing Estate, Goalchamot Post- Sree Angan-7804 District- Faridpur. Phone: 063166759, 01716500482, ED- 01737766200 E-Mail- gfngo.bd@gmail.com               gramfoundation@yahoo.com

2

Modhukhali

Maxami, Modhukhali, Faridpur, Mobile- 01677122571

3

Boalmari

Taljuri Bazar, Boalmari, Faridpur.  Mobile- 01716532464

4

Boalmari

Gohailbari Bazar, Boalmari, Faridpur Mobile- 01720943277

2

Rajbari

1

Rajbari Sador

Ramkantapur, Sador, Rajbari. Mobile- 01728559546

2

Baliakandi

Notapara,, Laxmandia, Baliakandi, Rajbari. Mobile- 01735804640

3

Goalonda

Doulotdia Bazar, Goalanda, Rajbari. Mobile- 01711244175

3

Narail

1

Narail Sador

Rupgonj Bazar, Sador, Narail. Mobile- 01911030800

2

Lohagara

Lahuria Bazar, Lohahara, Narali. Mobile- 01915900890

3

Kalia

Babra, Noagram, Kalia. Mobile- 01722466775

11.

Human Resource:

Type

Male

Female

Total

Management/Supervision

5

2

7

Professional Team Members

9

3

12

Technical Staff

2

1

3

Support Staff

4

2

6

Teachers

5

10

15

Total :

25

17

43

12.

Gram Foundation is Maintaining the Following Bank Accounts:

Name of the Bank

Account No

Janata Bank Branch- Goalchamot Faridpur

Account Name- Gram Foundation Saving Account No- 4887

13.

Networking

·         ADAB ·         MJF ·         ASK ·         CDL ·         FNB (Appeared) ·         NFOWD (Appeared) ·         BNWLA (Appeared)

14.

Our Commitments:

We are committed to work with the sense of equality and no discrimination on the ground race, color or sexuality, religious.

15.

Implementation Strategy:

Target beneficiaries are selected by following several criteria and procedures; supports and services are channeled through the groups to the target beneficiaries of the selected project.

·     The poorest of the poor will get first priority. ·     Woman’s institutional capacity building. ·     Structural poverty alleviation. ·     Environment protection & regeneration. ·     Improvement of gender equality. ·     Increasing woman participation in public institution. ·     Capacitate people to restore & exercise democratic & woman rights. ·     Family based program. ·     Group and institution building at grassroots level. ·     Empowerment of community. ·     Strong relation and coordination with stakeholders. ·     Coalition, networking, mobilization and advocacy. ·     Experience and expertise sharing. ·     Learning from community. ·     Encouraging research and innovation. ·     Cooperative and supportive to government development programs. ·     Participation, gender diversity, capacity building, alliances,     coalition and network shall be addressed as crosscutting outcomes. ·     All project proposal to be designed and implemented as per local context having participation of community which will be viable, feasible, manageable and overall cost effective. ·     Awareness build up about disaster people. ·     Ensure the environment of woman. ·     Stop violence & trafficking against children and woman.

16.

Target Beneficiaries:

Target beneficiaries will be selected from all classes of people such as organized ultra hardcore poor, asset less, marginal & small farming families, destitute woman & children, pregnant poor mother, disabled elderly citizens are the targeted development partners of GF who are the poorest of the poor, under-served with no discrimination, giving emphasis on woman, children, teenager, disaster people and disables. Ultimately all benefits goes to the total community people of the program areas.

17.

Philosophy:

Some of the philosophy of the organization is enumerated below:

·   Sensitize community to develop their own strategy for        adopting the concept of Human Rights, Good Governance and within the local context through a participatory process keeping in mind the broader PRSP. ·   Transforming institutional and ensuring gender justice and social protection for women through empowering and participation in decision making. ·   Required sophisticated qualitative and quantitative research for finding out gaps in policies and practices and will initiate policy advocacy and lobbying to create access to justice for the poor and disadvantaged people specially women. ·   Fulfillment of Human Rights obligation to uphold Right to life in case of natural and climatic disaster. ·   Introducing Organizational Development Process to assess the gap in skill, capacity and knowledge to implement the project efficiently.

18.

Policies and Systems:

For smooth implementation of the project activities, different policies and systems are in place. The policies are as follows: ·   Personnel policy ·   Financial policy ·   Gender policy ·   HRD policy ·   Procurement policy ·   Internal Audit policy In addition to the policies, different systems like Project Management Committee (PMC) and Financial Management System (FMS) have been developed to implement the project activities effectively and efficiently.

19.

Governance: (GC, EC Auditing etc.):

GC:

·         General committee is the highest body of Gram Foundation. It holds the supreme power of attorney of the organization. The general committee has a total 21 members from different profession. There is no ceiling regarding the number of members in general committee. The general committee elects the executive committee for a period of Three years. The general committee meets once a year, if necessary, it can hold emergency meetings.

EC:

·         The organization has an executive committee Consists seven members. The general members elect the executive committee members for a period of three years. It performs all responsibilities on behalf of the general committee. The executive committee includes one Chairman, one Vice‑Chairman, one Secretary General/Executive Director, one Treasurer & Three executive members

Auditing:

·         GF maintains Standard accounting & book keeping system with double entry cashbook Relevant voucher & documents are preserved for verification & audit the book accounts of GF.

20.

List of Executive Committee Members:

Sl

Name

Profession

Qualification

Designation

Present Address

1.

Adv. Abdus Satter Shaikh

Social Worker & Lawyer

M,S,S L,L,B

Chairman

Vill- Housing Estate Post- Sree- Angan Dist- Faridpur

2.

Nasrin Chaudhawry

Social Worker

H,S,C

Vice-Chairman

Vill- Tapakhola Post- Faridpur Dist- Faridpur

3.

Adv. Syed Moinul Sohid

Social Worker &  Lawyer

B,Sc(Hons) M,Sc L,L,B

Secretary

Vill- Housing Estate Post- Sree- Angan Dist- Faridpur

4.

Md. Mamunur Rahman

Business

H,S,C,

Casher

Vil- Rogunandanpur, Post- Sree- Angan Dist- Faridpur

5.

Mrs. Mitu Islam

House Wife

S,S,C

Member

Vil-Tapakhola Post-Faridpur Dist- Faridpur

6.

Adv. Swapon Kumar Saha

Social Worker & Lawyer

M,S,S,L,L,B

Member

Vil- Ibrahimdi Post- Kanaipur Dist- Faridpur

7.

K.H.M. Mostak

Business

B,A(Hons) M,A (Pol Sc.)

Member

Vil- Guho-Laxmipur, Post-Faridpur Dist- Faridpur

21.

Total Staffs in details of the organization. (Name, designation, sex and placement.)

SL

Name

Designation

Sex

Placement

1

Md. Alimuddin

Advisor (P.M&E)

Male

Head Office

2

Syed Yousuf Iqbal

Advisor (Finance)

Male

Head Office

3

Syed Waliul Islam

Advisor (HR & Adm)

Male

Head Office

4

Sures Houlader

Advisor (R&D)

Male

Head Office

5

Syed Obaidul Islam

Chief Coordinator

Male

Head Office

6

Tapon Kumar Das

Coordinator(F & A)

Male

Head Office

7

Abu Bakar Siddiq

Coordinator (Disability)

Male

Head Office

8

K. H. M. Mostak

Coordinator(GG)

Male

Head Office

9

Adv. Uma Rani Roy Choudury

Coordinator (GE)

Female

Head Office

10

Adv. Swapan Kumar Saha

Coordinator (Legal Aid)

Male

Head Office

11

Asma Sultana

Coordinator (Education)

Female

Head Office

12

Bilkis Parvin

Head of Training Cell

Female

Head Office

13

Md. Moktar Hossain

Senior Program Officer

Male

Head Office

14

Khan Md. Alimuzzaman

Administrative Officer

Male

Head Office

15

Md. Mamunur Rahman

Accounts Officer

Male

Head Office

16

Md. Sohidul Islam

Program Officer

Male

Branch Office

17

Rubiya Yasmin

Accountants

Female

Head Office

18

Sonia Akter

Trainer

Female

Head Office

19

Md. Ariful Islam

Upazilla Organizer

Male

Head Office

20

Md. Mizan Shaikh

Upazilla Organizer

Male

Head Office

21

Md. Mahafuzur Rahman

Assistant Upazilla Organizer

Male

Branch Office

22

Md. Faysal Ahmed

Assistant Upazilla Organizer

Male

Head Office

23

Md. Aklas

Field Organizer

Male

Head Office

24

Md. Asaduzzaman

Field Organizer

Male

Branch Office

25

Md. Manik Gazi

Field Organizer

Male

Head Office

26

Fatima Lisa

Receptionist

Female

Head Office

27

Badana Khatun

Service Staff

Female

Head Office

22.

Current and Implemented Major Projects/Programs:

SL

Project Title

Name of Development Partner

Objective

Geographi- cal Location

Beneficiaries

Project Duration

1

Social Inclusion of the persons with Disabilities through Community Mobilization& their Legal Support Program

Education & recreation. Health and Therapy. Elite people Orientation Meeting. Guardians Meeting. Ward, Union & District level       Policy Advocacy. Parents Platform and their capacity building and IGA.  Free Legal Support Through Case Dealings & Mediation.

Faridpur District

Disable People

June 10 to on going

2

HIV/AIDS Awareness Program

Self Finance, Local Civil Surgeon & Health Ministry

Awareness building on AIDS through meeting, discussion, seminar, symposium, ralley and distributing pamphlets & stickers.

Sador Upozilla in  Faridpur

Youths, Womans & Sex Workers

June 10 to on going

3

Youth Development on their reproductive health and HIV/AIDS

Self Finance, Local Civil Surgeon

Orientation for Gate-keepers. Life Skill training for Young people. Establishing youth friendly corner. Counseling service. Orientation for Youth People. Message Development competition with for Youth people. Condom seller training for Pharma and non pharmacy.

Sador Upozilla in  Faridpur & Goalanda Upozilla in Rajbari.

Youth People

June 12 to on going

4

Arsenic Awareness Program

Self Finance, Local Civil Surgeon & Health Ministry

Awareness building through meeting, discussion, seminar, symposium, ralley and distributing pamphlets & stickers on Arsenic Contamination of drinking water.

Sador Upozilla in  Faridpur, Narail & Rajbari

All people of the targeted area

June 10 to on going

5

Primary Health Care Service & Population Control

Self Finance, Local Civil Surgeon & Health Ministry

To provide medical service and free medicine through Primary Health Care.

Sador Upozilla in  Faridpur

All people of health camping area

June 10 to on going

6

Reproductive Health and Hygiene.

Self Finance, Local Civil Surgeon & Health Ministry

Awareness on Reproductive Health and Hygiene. Awareness development on HIV/AIDS & other health related issues.

Faridpur District

Disadvantaged women, youth.

June 12 to on going

7

Social Forestation & Environment Dev. Program

Self Finance & District Forest Office.

To create and increase awareness  of target population on importance of plantation and social forestation for environment development through meeting, discussion, seminar, symposium, rally and distributing pamphlets & stickers. Accordingly, built interest among the target population on plantation and social forestation.

Sador Upozilla,Charvadrason, Nagarkanda in  Faridpur, Lohagara, Kalia in Narail & Baliakandi in Rajbari.

All people of the targeted area

June 06 to on going

8

Agriculture Dev. on the cause of Climate Change Program

Self Finance & District Agriculture Office.

To create and increase awareness of target population on alternative cultivation system against climatic change including effect (result) and remedy through  workshop, meeting, discussion, seminar, symposium, rally, distributing pamphlets-stickers And Farmer Training.

Sador Upozilla in  Faridpur

Farmers

June 11 to on going

9

Cause, Result of Climate Change & it’s Prevention Awareness Program

Self Finance

To create and increase awareness  of target population on reason of climate change, its effect and remedy including defense management through  workshop, meeting, discussion, seminar, symposium, rally and distributing pamphlets & stickers.

Sador Upozilla in  Faridpur

All people of the targeted area

June 10 to on going

10

Livelihood Security Through IGA Training

Patheon, Canada

Create income source through training who are unemployment people; develop the self capability of ignored, widow, divorced and poor woman; ensure agricultural development through agricultural training to the farmers; create self employment of parsons with disability through skill development training.

Sador Upozilla in  Faridpur. Lohagara, Kalia in Narail & Baliakandi in Rajbari.

Young, Woman, Disable & Deprived People

July 12 to June 13

11

Adult Education

Self Finance

To disseminate literacy among the adult illiterate woman community.

Sador Upozilla in  Faridpur

Man & woman who are aged on 35 & illiterate.

June 07 to December 2008

12

Helping Social welfare Dep. on  Bigger Survey Through Community Engagement & Monitoring

Self Finance & Social welfare

Helped Govt. to carry out surveying and monitoring the Beggars population in Sador Upozilla in Faridpur and helped them in getting Govt. Registration and Govt. help.

Sador Upozilla in  Faridpur

Bigger

December 11 to on going

13

Helping Social welfare Dep. on  Disable Survey Through Community Engagement & Monitoring

Self Finance & Social welfare

Carried out survey and list of disable population in Sador Upozilla in  Faridpur and helped them in getting Govt. Registration and Govt. help.

Sador Upozilla in  Faridpur

Disable

June 10 to December 11

14

Social Mobilization for Woman Empowerment Through Gender Dev. & Their Legal Support Program

Self Finance

Woman Empowerment; Gender Dev.; Woman Rights; Free Legal Support Through Case Dealings & Mediation

09 Upozilla in  Faridpur

Woman

June 10 to on going

15

Free Legal Aid Support Program

Self Finance

To provide free legal aid support to the distressed target population.

09 Upozilla in  Faridpur

Woman & Disable

June 08 to on going

16

Training Program

Self Finance

Create income source & self capability through training who are unemployment people;

09 Upozilla in Faridpur. Lohagara, Kalia in Narail & Goalanda, Baliakandi in Rajbari.

Youth, Woman & Disable

June 10 to on going

23.

Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation:

P.M&E unit and program division of GF will provide follow up and monitoring support weekly and monthly basis. The performance of the project will be evaluated through both internal and external evaluators. The evaluators will conduct (a) mid-term evaluation and (b) impact evaluation. The midterm evaluation will be conducted during the midterm of the project period by the internal evaluators. This will evaluate the existing shortfall and effectiveness of the designed activities. The midterm evaluation will indicate the project authority which type of changes and modification are required for the next courses of activities of the project. The impact evaluation will be conducted by the external evaluator suggested by the concerned donor, after the completion of the project to assess the impact and necessity of the project for supporting the project target groups. The specific issues of evaluation of the project are (i) Inputs and activities evaluation; (ii) Process to be followed; (iii) Outputs to be generated and (iv) Impact to be created. Previously prepared evaluation tools will be used to conduct the evaluation.

24.

Financial Strength:

Gram Foundation has a developed & approved Accounts Manual for Financial Management. As per constitution and Accounts Manual, GF processes all kinds of financial transaction. The financial transactions of projects which is received from different donors are made with the existing Approved Accounts Manual for Financial Management smoothly.

25

Organogram of Gram Foundation:

26.

List of Office Equipment and Materials:

Name of the Equipment and Materials

Quantity

Status

Table- Long /High / Ordinary / Secretariat

30

Good

Chair- visitor / Single / Wooden / Pipe

75

Good

Steel Almirah

11

Good

Plastic tool

10

Good

Steel file cabinet

1

Good

Wooden & iron shelf

2

Good

Book shelf

10

Good

Computer

10

Good

Laptop

2

Good

Computer Accessory

Sufficient

Good

Photostate

2

Good

Weight machine

3

Good

Camera

3

Good

Web Camera

3

Good

Motorcycle 100 KB /4s

3

Good

By Cycle

16

Good

Cookeries

Sufficient

Good

Torch light

2

Good

Calculator

17

Good

Transport Boat

1

Good

Musical instruments

5

Good

Floor Carpet

5

Good

TV

2

Good

Radio- Cassette

1

Good

Wall Clock

12

Good

Fan (Selling & Table)

15

Good

Energy & Tube Light

30

Good

Telephone & Mobile

4

Good

File Cabinet

7

Good

Board (Display, Activity, Notice, Black, White Board)

15

Good

Swing Machine

10

Good

Embroidery  Machine

2

Good

UPS

5

Good

IPS

1

Good

27.

Facilities:

Training Facilities :

GF has 2 Districts Training Centers and 1 Central Training Center. All the training centers are well-furnished with sufficient equipment, materials, furniture’s, training personnel, accommodations and other facilities. Each training center can accommodate 30 trainees. All training centers are decorated by Flip Board, White Board, VIP Board, OHP, TV, DVD, Digital Camera; Video Camera, Multimedia Systems and other accessories are available in the training center. Have different training module, schedules, training calendar etc. All the equipment’s in the training center are own resources of the organization.

Transport Facilities:

Ø      Motor Bike                              -           3 Nos. Ø      Bicycle                                    -           16 Nos. Ø      Boat                                        -           1 Nos.

28.

Information on Projects / Activities:

a.

Baseline Survey: The motto “the village is a holy book; we read it everyday”. Gram Foundation started with dream of statistical village society. Gram Foundation did not know in how to involve the community in the research process. We started learning by doing. During the last 3 years 10 villages brought under survey where disabled are living.

b.

Training for staff and group members The main motto of training “learn from the people; teach the people” Gram Foundation gives major emphasis to train the staffs as well as the group members. Gram Foundation provided topic-based training to the staffs who act as a facilitator in the field. Such 03 staff was trained during the reporting period.

c.

Human Rights: In order to address the human rights especially women and children rights Gram Foundation has conducted training for community people, civil society and minorities in the society. During the year 3 village seminar 4 union and one upazila level dialogues were arranged where they became aware on human and fundamental rights.

d.

Civic Education: In order to exercise the voting rights Gram Foundation has undertaken motivational activities for the citizens so that they can rightly exercise their voting rights to the sincere honest and dedicated candidate.

e.

Research: One of the main objectives of Gram Foundation is to conduct research on social and livelihood issues of minorities round the year. Gram Foundation did some research on persons with disability

f.

PHC, Watson & Nutrition Education: The health and nutritional status of the rural population is truly alarming. Hundreds of children die every year due to severe malnutrition. Almost 90% of the children under five years of age are suffering from malnutrition of varying intensity. The interaction of poverty, malnutrition and a low level of health care reset in high mortality rates. Infant mortality rate among the other is highest in the world. The public heath and family planning system reaches less than 30% of the population. It largely used by the poor but its performance is week. The local facilities in the rural areas suffer from inadequate supply of drugs, transport, and medical equipment. In the national survey amongst rural and urban household, 15% of the respondents claimed to be sick, but was seeking treatment. Of those using the health system only 15% used government facilities. The majority of people go to either qualified private practitioners or traditional healers or unqualified quacks. Gram Foundation continued ignition, seminar and motivational campaign on PHC, pure drinking water and nutrition.

g.

HIV/AIDS Campaign: HIV is a serious health hazard that is known by us in recent days. People know more or less about HIV and AIDS but still it is a social stigma in our society. There are no specific health care services that could manage people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) until their terminal stages. AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency (or Immune Deficiency) Syndrome. It results from infection with a virus called HIV, which stands for Human Immune deficiency virus. This virus infects key cells in the human body called CD4-positive (CD-4+) T cells. These cells are part of the body’s immune system, which fights infections and various cancers. In the education centre and group meetings Gram Foundation continued campaign on the adverse effect of HIV/AIDS.

h.

Networking of local NGOs: In order to networking of local NGOs those who are working for the development of the community Gram Foundation has been supporting them by providing technical consultancies in the areas of proposal writing, profile preparation & brochure, staff training, training module development, accounts manual, personnel policy, gender policy, procurement policy, recruitment policy, mid term review, project baseline survey, annual report preparation and linkage with donors.

i.

Local Level Advocacy: Gram Foundation is working with the group members/customers to promote their interests in ensuring their access to local level administration. Though the inputs, knowledge and technical assistance available at the Upazila and union initially Gram Foundation started it with the appointed officials later expanded the strategies at the union Parishad members and chairman in the operation area. Village history and village survey collected by Gram Foundation earlier has emerged as a basis of entering into a dialogue with officials, elected bodies. However, this is in the primary stage which will get save in future.

j.

Non-formal Education programme: In order to educate the illiterate man & woman whose age are 20 years above for their name signature capability Gram Foundation has started a learning centre in organization head office. 25 poor illiterate man & women used to come to the centre for 2 hours everyday for 01 months.

k.

Poultry and livestock: From the time immemorial the target beneficiaries are in the habit of rearing poultry and livestock as source of their subsidiary income and employment. The main objective of these programs is: Ø      Facilitating the target beneficiaries in implementing their village plan-short and long term in the poultry and livestock sector. Ø      Expanding income and employment base of the target beneficiaries. Ø      Removing malnutrition from the target beneficiaries.

l

Nursery and Social forestation: A part of land of Training Demonstration Farm is being used for raising plant nursery. Saplings are being distributed among the group members especially on the eve of loan disbursement. Gram Foundation treats a forestation as a major environmental program with the twin economic goal.

m

Provide Free Legal Aid Services: Preliminarily applications are received at the Union, Upazila and district levels. GF tries to support the poor. Attempts are made to resolve disputes at the local level through mediation or UP judicial system (Village Court & Arbitration Council). The disputes, which cannot be settled through mediation or AC or VC, are selected for legal assistance in formal court. Disadvantaged, hard-core poor, particularly women who are deprived of access to justice are identified for free legal aid support.

n

Dispute Resolution through Mediation: To ensure peaceful settlement of dispute at local level mediation the indigenous method of dispute resolution is more effective for establishing the rights of the disadvantaged people, particularly women. GF has developed a modern and professional approach to mediation. GF has established different types of Community Based Organization (CBO) with the representation and participation of UP representatives, Teachers, Women Health Workers, Religious Leaders, Social Activist, NGO workers, Women Group Leaders and other Social Leaders who are based at the Ward, Union, Upazila & District levels. GF also helps organize Community Based Organizations (CBOs) which operate like traditional Shalish but includes skill mediators with training on civil law and mediation procedures.

o

Advocacy and Networking: The advocacy cell aims to develop advocacy strategies for reforming the existing law and legal procedure for easy access to justice for the poor especially women. GF’s advocacy cell conducts different studies and research on present problems of law and justice. The findings of those studies and research are shared among the relevant agencies through meetings, seminars, workshops and round table conferences with an aim to influence policies.

p

Disaster Management: The project areas of GF are flood prone and during the monsoon, community members, especially women and children, suffer immensely (homelessness, lack of food and drinking water etc) which quite often threaten their lives. Right to life is also human rights. One of the GF’s principal goals is to improve quality of life of the disadvantaged people through establishing their rights to life. It also supports the community to increase their capacity on DRR issue. GF usually involves CBO members and local communities to carry out the activities on DRR awareness, relief and rehabilitation.

q

Capacity building of different Stakeholders: GF has been conducting various capacity building activities like training, workshop, orientation programme and exposure visit with its different stakeholders towards achieving objectives of the different projects in the organization. These are as follows: ·         Provide training to the local CBOs on human rights issues to motivate them as key role players in the society for tweaking mediation with the essence of human rights principle. ·         Provide training and technical support to the UP Representative to run the village court effectively. ·         Provide training and technical support to the local NGO activists on human rights issues to develop them as Human Rights Defenders. ·         Provide training and technical support to the CBOs, local government representatives, school teachers and members of school management committees on disaster management and preparedness issues with a view to uphold the right to life. Provide advocacy and awareness building support to community leaders and volunteers to raise their voice for getting timely supplies of essentials goods and materials in case of disaster.

r

Campaign on Consumer’s rights: Shield consumers' rights to have quality service, safe commodities in right price, rights to complain and get compensation against sustain a loss and to be aware to act secure rights. The purpose of the consumer’s rights program is to make the consumers, buyers, producers and sellers conscious and inquisitive on the quality and standard of commodities and services Objectives: ¨      Formation and nurturing of Consumers Forum to enhance consumers rights ¨      Different Stakeholders and market  committees are activated for ensuring safe commodities and services at right prices for the consumers ¨      Awareness buildup among consumers on quality, right components, right price, code of use and side effects of commodities. Enhance Grassroots Advocacy with policy makers on Consumers rights and link up Consumers forum with Bangladesh Standard Testing Institute (BSTI), Consumers’ Association in Bangladesh (CAB) and other relevant agencies.

28.

Conclusion

Gram Foundation has been emerging as a local NGO to protect and safeguard the interest of minor communities especially disabled man & women in the society. In spite of many limitations including resources Gram Foundation will continue it’s journey and will congratulate the well wishers and donors to contribute for attaining the goal.

Signature

The Head of the Organization

Date:

02/02/13

Syed Moinul Sohid

Gram Foundation

Goalchamot, Faridpur, Bangladesh.