End Hunger for Rural Families in Bangladesh

Project Update

• 28 group members have the capacity to process the basic necessities to provide to their family. • 32 group members have received training in nutrition and have learned to consume good quality food as well as to take the necessary steps towards improving family members’ health. • 41 group members have learned about keeping a healthy and active life as pregnant mothers and as caregivers of their children. This will help decrease the child mortality rate in the area and ensure a safe motherhood for the women. • 13 group members are managing income-generating activities, which have increased their household income. • 22 group members are currently producing high-quality food in the area. • 35 group members are managing small businesses. • 10 group members are producing high-quality food for the local market. • 15 group members are growing vegetables in their premises to sell in the local market as well for their own family consumption. • Pregnant mothers & children up to the age of five are having access to medicines, and in this way, common diseases are decreasing. • Water-borne diseases are gradually reducing. • By observing these impacts, other group members have become encouraged to also learn how to produce high-quality food, and obtain knowledge on health issues.

Project Outcomes

• Under this project, 40 groups with a total of 1,200 people have been organized. • 40 group members have received food-processing training • 60 group members have learned about mother & child health care. • 30 group members have received business skills training. • 40 group members have started food production as a source of income generation. • 50 group members have initiated small businesses.

SATU is planning to discuss with the project beneficiaries about the project success in their upcoming group meetings. In some cases, SATU will organize workshops and seminars to share this information. In addition, SATU will record this discussion by including a chapter about this project in their annual report.

Activities carried out

Group formation SATU formed 46 women’s groups in 20 villages, with a total of 1,040 members. The members were selected from extremely poor, small, and marginal households. SATU made regular visit to the groups and members to discuss the changes that were taking place. They found that in many instance the groups were convening their own meetings, discussing and taking action on issues affecting the members, and participating actively in the credit program. Some group leaders were taking an active part in the local government activities.

Training on capacity-building

Training and awareness building are key components of SATU’s projects. The training programs were organized to build on the skills of women and farmers and served 300 women. SATU provided training on vegetable cultivation, crop diversification, land use, integrated pest management , food preservation, and fish cultivation. After receiving training, the participants reflected on what they had learned at the group meetings.

Income generating activities 90 women were provided credit to carry out income generation activities and help them take steps out of poverty. The activities included food processing and vegetable garden, small trade, and poultry rearing. The credit amount ranged from $50 to $100. The credit was available through grants made this year and from the revolving fund (principal and interest repaid from earlier loans). The repayment rate is around 98%.

Women in small trade small trade, bakery, and grocery are making profits of 50% from their small business. Tangail is a commercial town with high traffic flow, women can sell their wares quickly and on a regular basis.

Mother and child health

To date SATU’s has monitored the health status of 150 pregnant women and 150 infants. A trained nurse conducts regular health counseling and treats minor ailments. The nurse and group leaders ensure that the women and infant maintain healthy diets and adhere to their immunization schedules. The crux of this program is to educate women about food quality and balanced diet preparation.

In an informal survey, SATU found that, “Awareness about health has increased among the group members and there is less blind observance to religious beliefs and superstitious practices. The door step medical facilities and health check-up of pregnant women is helping to ensure safe motherhood and in reducing incidence of child mortality.”

The group members put into practice what they learn in the meetings. For example pregnant women are more conscious about their diet and try to include meat, milk, and vegetables. They also make sure that they get sufficient rest after completing their daily household work.

The women are careful in preparing meals. They wash the vegetables thoroughly before cutting and cooking. They do not cook vegetables for a long time so as to not lose the protein content. After cooking they preserve the food in a safe place and cover it to protect it from flies & other insects.

• SATU Update April 2006 (DOC)