Education Programs of Muslim Aid

Education programme is one of the core programmes of Muslim Aid in Bangladesh aiming at providing opportunities for underprivileged children to obtain a quality education. Education Programme comprises of Non-Formal, formal, Orphan Sponsorship (Rainbow), Skills Development and Stipend projects for the under-privileged children and youths of the country. Muslim Aid has been implementing formal and non formal education, vocational training programme since 2000. In addition to implementing non formal education for school dropouts and street children, it introduced technical education for disadvantaged unemployed youths in Dhaka, Rangpur, Jessore, Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar. There are provisions of some special incentives to the students and the graduate students, such as stipends, tools and equipment, job placement support, internship linkages, etc. Women Development project which provides skills for slum women to make their socio economic changes are also implementing by education program.  

Objectives:

Ensure access to education for underprivileged children, women & unemployed youth to enhance their socio economic status and involve them in main stream development initiatives of the country.

There are two types of beneficiaries; one is underprivileged and another one privileged. For underprivileged, training is absolutely free but the privileged one is encourage paying for training. Beneficiaries will be selected as per following criteria:

      Orphan

      Unemployed & Underprivileged

      Disabled.

      All types of youths and professionals who need technical education and agreed to pay fees.

      Children (5-12 years)

      Unemployed youth

      Unemployed and indigent men and women

      Physically, socially and economically disadvantaged sections of the community

      Minority groups (in respect of ethnicity and religion)

      Coastal community (more exposed to natural disaster)

      Meritorious students

Muslim Aid Hospital, Pabna:
Muslim Aid Pabna Hospital established in March 2003. Since inception it has been serving people from Pabna sadar as well as other upazillas from Pabna. Qualitative impact is enhancing the progress and reputation of this hospital. Poor people are getting better treatment at lower price. The hospital is progressing slowly and the geographical location is very much conducive to make excellence for the health care of the adjacent communities. During last January to December a total 18,798 have received services from hospital. Out of total patients 17,354 were out patients and 1,444 were inpatients. From beginning of January to December 31 the income was BDT 1,53,87,017 and expenditure was BDT 1,41,61,668.
Muslim Aid Hospital, Kulaura:
Kulaura an upazilla under Maulvabazar district. Geographically Kulaura is very important and Muslim Aid hospital is located there. Aim is to help the community through providing inpatients and outpatients services at minimum cost. Since inception in 2003, the community of Brammon bazar union and surroundings villages have benefited through hospital. The community has confidence about this hospital and they acknowledge the services rendered by this hospital. The patient flow is gradually increasing. In 2013 outdoor patient were 26,241 and inpatient were 4.152. Over the reporting period from January to December, 2013 the hospital was earned BDT 2,02,59,618 and spent BDT 1,82,06,647
Muslim Aid Hospital, MCHC Mirpur:
Mother and Child health Center, Mirpur, Dhaka was established in 1996. It is a health center of Muslim Aid Bangladesh Field Office and operates under the Health Program. The health center provides health care services like outdoor medical services, vaccination, indoor services, free medicine distribution and works for creating awareness on health care. From beginning January 2013 to 31 December 2013 18,800 out-patients have been benefitted directly along with 306 in-patients. The income and expenditure of hospital up to December 2013 was BDT 22,41,933 and BDT 43,40,016 respectively.
Muslim Aid Hospital, Pirojpur:
Muslim Aid Hospital Pirojpur was established in March 2009. There are 28 employees working at present in this hospital. The services that are provided by the clinic are outdoor services, indoor services, diagnostic services, X-ray, ECG etc. It works for creating awareness on health care through community meeting, house hold visit etc. A total 12,901 patients received services from hospital in stipulated time (January to December 2013). Out of total patients 306 were in-patients and out patients were 12,595. The income was BDT 36,00,512 and expenditure was BDT 98,08,393

School feeding is intended to contribute to the Government’s goal of achieving universal primary education by 2015. It constitutes a safety net to ensure that children receive adequate micronutrients and is an incentive to parents to send children to school. The expected outcome is increased enrolment, attendance and retention.[1]

 Recognizing that education is crucial to effectively tackling poverty, the government has implemented a Food for Education Programme (FFE), later known as Food for Schooling (FFS) in 1993-2002. Although the FFS was merged with Stipend Programme without making any significant change in the reduction of micronutrient deficiencies the quality of education is still problematic 

Patuakhali District (barisal division) with area of 3204.58 sq km, is bounded by barisal district on the north, the Bay of Bengal on the south, bhola district on the east, barguna district on the west. The area of the district is composed of some small chars or islands. Maximum temperature 33.3°C and minimum 12.1°C; annual rainfall 2506 mm. Main rivers are the Andharmanik, Agunmukha, Payra, Lohalia, Patuakhali and Tentulia. The region having been close to the sea, frequently falls victim to tornado and tidal bore.

 Administration Patuakhali, a subdivision of the then Bakerganj district, was elevated to a district in 1969. It consists of 7 upazilas, 3 municipalties, 27 wards, 61 mahallas, 67 union parishads, 566 mouzas and 882 villages. The upazilas are bauphal, dashmina, galachipa, Rangabali, kalapara, mirzaganj and patuakhali Sadar.

 Population 1444340; male 50.01%, female 49.99%; Muslim 91.45%, Hindu 8.39%, Buddhist 0.13%, Christian 0.03%; ethnic nationals: Rakhains 13300. Density of population per sq km is 397.

Literacy and educational institutions Average literacy 36.4%; male 42.7%, female 30%. Main occupations Agriculture 45.84%, fishing 3.32%, commerce 9.94%, service 6.12%, agricultural labourer 16.72%, wage labourer 4.53%, construction 1.31%, others 12.22%. Land use Cultivable land 222899 hectares, fallow land 3694 hectares; single crop 59.02%, double crop 37% and triple crop land 3.98%. Cultivable land under irrigation 3.8%. Land control Among the peasants, 30% are landless, 24% small peasant, 41% intermediate and 5% rich; cultivable land per head 0.174 hectare.

Therefore Patuakhali district is not on track to achieve the MDG targets.  PRSP-II acknowledged that people living in remote and vulnerable areas like the coastal belt, river banks, remote hilly areas, and certain groups of indigenous and disadvantaged people are the victims of extreme poverty. This coastal region is vulnerable to climate change as well as natural disasters. The area of the district is composed of some small chars or islands. The region having been close to the sea, frequently falls victim to tornado and tidal bore.

 There are also many gaps in the government services related to poor quality and low coverage compounded by a lack of community participation in development activities. Livelihoods, local government services, health and hygiene, protection, water and sanitation are major concerns and food security is a key area which has been identified as an area where there should be more focus. 

The programme will be started in the areas that are considered as highly food-insecure with the long term objective of complementing the government’s initiatives to achieve the universal primary education by improving access to the basic education in poverty prone areas and in areas of low school attendance. And also the short term objectives of increasing primary school enrolment, attendance and reduce dropout rates; improving the attention span and learning capacity of students by alleviating short-term hunger; and sensitizing and building up capacities of local communities to operate School Feeding/ Food for Education Programme.

 This operation will be directed to the students of government primary schools, registered primary schools, community schools Temp. Registered primary schools, and Shotontro Ebtedia Madrasha in all unions including the Pouroshovas of Kalapara, Golachipa and Rangabali Upazilla of Patuakhali district.

 High energy biscuits fortified with vitamins and micronutrients commodities will be distributed: 75 grams per student per school-day provides 338 k.cal. and covers approximately 67% of the Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) of vitamins and micronutrients, which are critical to enhance the cognitive learning capacity of school age children. The biscuit is fortified with a premix of 13 vitamins and minerals tailored to cover the said 67% daily required nutrient intake of a school child between the ages of 5-12 years. The composition of high energy biscuit is around 69% wheat flour, 12% sugar, 13% vegetable fat, 6% soya flour, necessary iodized salt and baking soda.

 Area (Upazillas and unions) wise coverage can be shown below:

Executive Summary

Bangladesh has been facing tremendous challenges in achieving and sustaining food security. Still, nearly 40 percent of the total population lives below the poverty line and over 40 percent of children under five suffer from acute malnutrition. Fortifying the food security pillars-availability, access and utilization is constrained by a number of factor, all exacerbated by increasingly frequent and intensified natural disasters and the impact of global climate change. Additionally we have incorporated research and innovation activities in our programme by introducing improved varieties of crops to increase production as well as cropping intensity

Muslim Aid-UK Bangladesh Field Office (MABFO) in partnership with ACDI/VOCA, PCI & iDE has been implementing the project PROSHAR funded through USAID/FFP. This is a 5 years project but Muslim Aid came into this partnership in August 2011 for 4 years. The project’s goal is “Reduced food insecurity among vulnerable rural populations in selected Upazillas in Khulna division. Muslim Aid’s working area is Lohagara Upazila of Narail district of Khulna division. It covers all of 12 unions of the Upazila and total numbers of beneficiaries are 32,227.

PROSHAR empowered communities through an integrated approach to food security by providing household members with the tools they need to improve their food security and facilitating linkages between donor, government and community activities to deepen impact and sustainability. Specifically, activities and their intended results are designed around three major technical areas: the promotion of sustainable livelihood strategies; improved health and nutrition; and enhanced community ability to respond to vulnerabilities and shocks. The project also addresses numerous cross-cutting activities including gender, behavior change communication and monitoring and evaluation (M&E). For ensuring proper implementation of this program, training for staff on specific issues was given special priorities. Different type of trainings were provided to the 110 staff of MABFO so that the staff could perform at standard level.  7076 farmers were provided training & orientation to increase their skill and knowledge for production practice.

For better implementation we have included 609 Farmer Field School approach in the PROSHAR to learn demonstration plots where farmers have the opportunity to observe production methods and conduct learning experiments on their own lands, to stimulate behavior change. Farmer Field Schools led by Master Trainers who were identified by the group, in consultation with PROSHAR and the staff.  These Master Trainers were received 5 days’ Training-of-Trainers (ToT) to lead the Farmer Field Schools. 

 6847 farmers were given different agricultural inputs support through demonstration study plots & micro grants distribution from ACDI/VOCA for goat, indigenous poultry and cow fattening, crop production, mini-mix orchard plantation, vegetable production, seed production & aquaculture.

Strengthening market linkages through relationship building amongst agriculture beneficiaries, input supplies and buyers, as well as improving collaboration with local level Government agencies whose mandate is to provide extension services to the beneficiaries.

Project Background:

Program for Strengthening Household Access to Resources (PROSHAR) has been implemented from December, 2011 at lohagora upazila under Narail district. It is an integrated initiative that improves livelihoods, quality basic health and nutrition services and strengthens the capacity of institutions and households to respond effectively to shocks caused by rapid-onset natural and chronic disasters. The program will directly serve 70868 unique households which will improve the lives of approximately 473365 vulnerable people of three upazilas in Khulna division. The program will work through government and private sector structures to improve services for others living in the target areas. The overall goal of the project is to reduce food insecurity among vulnerable rural populations in all the union in the upazila. The basic approach followed was to empower communities through an integrated approach to food security by providing household members with the tools they need to improve their food security and facilitating linkages among donor, government and community activities to deepen impact and sustainability.

Title of the project:  Program for Strengthening Household Access to Resources (PROSHA)

 Specific strategic objectives (SOs) of the program include:

• Income of poor and ultra-poor households increased;
  • Health and nutrition of women and children improved; and
  • Resiliency to shocks and their long term impacts strengthened.

 Duration of the project:

• Date of commencement : August 01, 2011
• Date of completion         : May 31, 2015

 Implementing Agency: Muslim Aid -UK Bangladesh Field Office

Sources of fund:  USAID through ACDI/VOCA 

Amount of Fund:

No. of families benefited: 32227

Working area:

Dig a Well Project UK

Project Objective            :

a)      To install new and fresh tube well to the level free from arsenic contamination

b)      Aware, educate & motivate mass people about health & hygiene, cleanliness and Arsenic contamination.

c)       Reduction of morbidity and mortality.

Methodology:

a)      It was selected on the basis of applications to Muslim Aid requesting for tube wells as per need.

b)      The type of tube well option is selected based on the hydro-geological situation of the area concerned as well as communities’ preference and ability to pay etc. 

c)       Implementation of tube well options will take place at HH level in the community, schools, institutions, public places of rural areas.

d)      Maintain Master roll of the beneficiaries.

e)      Collect different photographs at the time of Installation, case study, installation report etc..

f)       All documents will be preserved at Muslim Aid UK- Bangladesh field Office.

g)      Purchase committees collect quotations from suitable market/ dealer and prepare proposal. Purchase committee of the organization finally selects the lowest competent bidder.

h)      Pay necessary visit to the project area.

i)        After completion of the project, the completion report will be prepared and submitted to the MAUK-BFO and sent to Muslim Aid UK.

QURBANI PROGRAM -2013

Muslim Aid UK-Bangladesh Field Office (MABFO) has been implementing different activities under Qurbani programs in each year since its inception with the supports from Muslim Aid UK, Muslim Aid Australia, ECHO-USA and other donor & individuals. This year(2013) Muslim Aid UK-Bangladesh Field Office supports 2,200 beneficiaries of 440 families through the Qurbani Meat distribution activities with the support of ECHO-USA under Qurbani Program-2013. All these programs have been implementing directly by Muslim Aid-UK Bangladesh Field Office through Partner organizations with intensive supervision of MABFO staffs.

Specific Objectives of the Programme: 

 Provide food supports (Qurbani Meat) to the poor and needy people for celebrating their Eid-ul Adha with Qurbani Meat – hence supporting them to meet nutrition deficit of those poor people.

Qurbani is one of our divine programmes that make the lives of fellow poor Muslims easier and a bit cheerful. Muslim Aid UK, Bangladesh field office has been implementing Qurbani Programme in each year since its inception in 1991, with the supports from Muslim Aid HQ, Muslim Aid Australia, ECHO-USA and some other organizations and individuals. Muslims donate and sacrifice most to earn SWAB (Satisfaction of Allah). This year (2013) Muslim Aid UK, Bangladesh field office covered 111 Upazilla (sub district) under 48 districts and it covered 15,780 families of beneficiaries supported by Muslim Aid HQ, Muslim Aid Australia and ECHO-USA under Qurbani Programme- 2013. Muslim Aid UK, Bangladesh field office ensured Qurbani of 53 goats and 184 oxen and distributed 18,332 kg (Beef 17,520 kg + Mutton 812 kg) Qurbani meat among 78,900 beneficiaries (15,780 families) of the country. This programme was guided by approved Operational Plan through a committee. This programme has been implemented in two ways: Directly by MABFO project offices and through its 159 partner organizations with extensive supervision of MABFO. Out of 404 numbers of total partner applicants - we were able to fund only 159 organizations. Though MABFO received less amount of fund than last year from MAHQ but covered more geographical areas this year. 

Project intervention:

Distribute food package (Qurbani Meat) among the poor and needy families to help celebrate their Eid UL ADHA from ECHO-USA funding.  

Qurbani Programme covered the families and individuals who are socially, financially, economically and culturally disadvantaged and distressed. Especially the following groups were given emphasize in the overall programme:

• Widow
• Orphans
• People with Disability (PwD) or handicapped
• Destitute women, children and men
• Elderly men and women
• Poor and needy

 Selection process of beneficiaries:

1. Application received from partner organizations.
2. Selected partner organizations followed by Muslim Aid Qurbani guideline.
3. Fund distribution by A/C payee cheque after letter-head agreement.
4. Provided one day orientation to partners for effective and efficient implementation of “QURBANI PROGRAMME-2013.
5. Beneficiary selection by partners.
6. Monitoring as per our monitoring plan.
7. Collected activity report with beneficiary list, Photographs, Newspaper cutting, beneficiary statement and testimonial from local govt. administration, Upazila Nirbahi Officer, etc.  

Microfinance Programme

In order to empower the poor and low income groups in developing countries, Muslim Aid pioneered the Islamic Microfinance Programme which, as certified by CDF, currently ranks among
the top 50 out of 745 MFI organizations in Bangladesh. Started in 1993, the programme is based on Shariah principles that emphasize equitable and justifiable resource distribution and
social development and currently works with 59,062 beneficiaries (99% women). As part of this programme, Muslim Aid is presently implementing the following initiatives: Qard-hasana, Murabaha,
Bai-Muajjal and Musharaka. Muslim Aid’s Microfinance programme has adapted some distinct features which are more acceptable to the participants and are Shariah-compliant as well.
Muslim Aid Bangladesh’s microfinance programme involves providing collateral-free credit and savings services to the doorstep of our target population,which includes the landless poor, marginal farmers
and vulnerable small entrepreneurs. We identify theheterogeneous qualities among the poor that match our criteria and focus on careful targeting and development of customized financial products
and services that best meet their varying needs. Aunique aspect of our microfinance programme is the credit-plus approach – in addition to providing investments and training we have developed an
integrated set of services that work to strengthen the supply chains of the enterprises that our members invest in, giving them access to quality inputs and support in marketing their products.
These services are provided by our social enterprises. Our microfinance members have access to all of our other development interventions as well.Our beneficiaries receive funds with minimum
service charge. Implementation of the programme has brought about significant improvements in their income levels and social dignity. Our beneficiaries have received training on Income Generating
Activities (IGA), and on a weekly basis receive knowledge on health and social issues including WASH, early marriage, eve teasing, dowry, tree plantation, health, environment preservation etc. in
order to lead better, more informed lives. As of 2013, our Microfinance Programme has established 56 branch offices in 31 districts. This year we developed a MFP manual and guidelines
based on which our staff has received training on operations including Shariah issues. We have also extended our operations by starting small and medium enterprises, agro-based Microfinance and
a customized Microfinance project for the ultra poor. Our beneficiaries are already gaining significant profits. The programme is expected to attain sustainability in all aspects in the near future.
Muslim Aid has forged partnerships with the Islamic Development Bank, Institute of Micro Finance, Credit Development Forum and is registered by the Micro Credit Regulatory Authority of Bangladesh
Government.

Our Microfinance Programme has been activated at all levels as according to its planned operational guidelines. A massive training programme for staff members was organized by Muslim Aid to enhance their knowledge in the

operation of Shariah-based micro financing at the field level. Muslim Aid is in partnership with Islamic Development Bank (IDB) along with other Australian and US based donors on the implementation of its Microfinance, SME and
ultra poor schemes in the country.

1. Name, Location and nature of the organisation

1.1  The organisation is named as Muslim Aid Bangladesh.

1.2  Head Office of the organisation is presently located at house # 13, road # 27, block-J, Banani, Dhaka-1213. However, the organisation could move on its preferable area through taking decision on executive committee and informing this to registration authority.

1.3  It is a non-profit, non-political, social welfare and development organisation

Principles and Objectives of the organisation:

3.1 To bring peace and prosperity of the society through helping poor and needy in improving their welfare and social development. 

3.2 To run the all activities of the organisation based on seven fundamental principles – Islamic values, unity, peace, discipline, wisdom, humanity and prosperity. 

3.3 To pursue the development along with government intervention in fulfilling the basic needs- food, cloths, shelter, education and health services of the needy people (through government approval).

3.4  To build up a society of peace, prosperity, and ethics through identifying & solving problems and ensuring optimum utilisation of resources.

3.5  To participate and assist in the government plan and activities to build a prosperous nation and society through increasing GDP, infrastructural development, and Social & economic development.

3.6  To participate and play partnership role in development through collecting funds from national, international, GO and NGOs.   

Project location:  Dhaka, Manikganj, Narayanganj, Comilla, Feni, Chittagong, Cox’sbazar, Rangpur, Gaibandha, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, Sirajganj, Pabna, Nator, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Moulavibazar, Jhinaidah, Magura, Shatkhira, Jessore, Kushtia, Khulna, Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Barguna, Barisal, Patuakhali districts.

Lessons learned

Practically experienced and proven microfinance staff are needed rather theoretical and assumed knowledge. 

Risk identified

1. Improvising  unrealistic  formula to the programme
2. Dishonest and unexperienced staff in the programme
3. Absent of dedicated department under MFP
4. Inadequate fund
5. Bureaucratic atmosphere in head office

 Way forward

 Accept professionals opinion;

Create dedicated department under MFP following MRA guideline