Nagar Daridra Basteebashir Unnayan Sangstha (NDBUS)

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.