Empowering Poor Girls in India with life skills

Dear friends,

This Fall has brought some exciting new developments at Reach Global!

We've recently partnered with Equality & Opportunity Foundation to support a pioneering new approach to low-cost housing for poor women, girls and their families in India and Bangladesh. 

Poor quality housing leaves families vulnerable to financial, health and environmental hazards, which contribute to illness, low productivity and greater vulnerability. Moreover, current housing is very expensive for poor families. In peri-urban Dhaka, for example, a 120 square foot shelter of bamboo mat, tin, bricks and mud, costs $1,500 - $3,000 for a family that typically makes $1,000 - $3,000 per year. And sub-standard building practices mean a family faces this cost every 2-4 years just to maintain their structure. Reach Global is supporting Equality & Opportunity Foundation to provide houses that are:

• Safe: built to withstand winds of up to 127miles/hour and earthquake force of 8.5, the houses are well lit, ventilated, and integrated with rainwater catchment, water filtration, mosquito netting, and a cook stove.

• Affordable: houses cost $500 - $2,500—a range that millions of poor Bangladeshi households have already demonstrated they can repay in 12 months to microfinance institutions like the Grameen Bank.  When home ownership is affordable, other priorities, such as sending daughters to school, become more possible. 

• Income-generating: mixed-use house designs support home-based enterprises, which enable a family to pay for the house within 12 months.

• Customizable: component-based houses are assembled in 2-3 days and families can expand incrementally over time, based on their needs, preferences and budget.

Thank you for your continued support! It enables us to continue innovating on behalf of, and supporting girls and women. As always, your tax-deductible donation made online through GlobalGiving (see link below) or at Reach Global's website is quick, easy and safe.

Sean Kline

Executive Director

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