Nagar Daridra Basteebashir Unnayan Sangstha (NDBUS)

NDBUS wishes you all a very happy new year!

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 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 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.

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 evaluatio

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.

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.

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.

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 discussin

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 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.

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

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.

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 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

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

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.

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.

Mr M A Mannan, Chairperson of Nagar Daridra Basteebashir Unnayan Sangstha (NDB US) d ied 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 regist ered 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), Coaliti

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 a

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.

Studio workshop on ‘low cost housing’ by 4th year students of the Department of Archite cture, 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 f

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 htt p://ndbus.blogspot.com/2009/01/briefing-relating-pre-study-tour-at.html).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 exampl

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.