Tuesday, April 29, 2008

What is Habitat for Humanity Bangladesh?

Bhuapur Flood Rehabilitation Project

Habitat completes 120-home project in Bhuapur.
Click here for article.

Al Jazeera Report

The following is a report from AL Jazeera, showing Habitat Volunteers working in Mirzaganj.

As stated in the report, there are many more families to help; if you would like to be involved in the Cyclone Rehabilitation Program, whether personally or as a corporate partner, please visit our website or contact our Resource Development team.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Dhaka Triathlon Club Charity Run



The Dhaka Triathlon Club is holding a 4-mile Charity Race for Habitat Bangladesh!





Pull on your running shoes and get to the American Club on FRIDAY, APRIL 25 by 7.30 am to register and participate in this fantastic event!

Entry fee is 500 taka for our Habitat Bricks - the organisers are aiming for 100 people to finance the cost of a complete house, so make sure you spread the word!!

More info can be found on the DTC site.

Buy a Brick for Bangladesh


Habitat Bangladesh is selling pocket sized bricks, for only 500 taka!

Your contribution is equivalent to the cost of between 200 to 500 bricks for the homes we build.

We can also fit a custom message on the back of the bricks, in full color if required.

Delivery is also possible throughout the world, upon inquiry.

Get your bricks today, and help Habitat Bangladesh continue to Build Homes and Change Lives!!

Building in Patuakhali






















































Habitat Calendars Available

Get yours today!!



Picture taken by Pierre Johannessen, during a needs assessment mission by Habitat Bangladesh to Patuakhali, following Cyclone Sidr.


Habitat Bangladesh is currently working in Patuakhali, Building Homes and Changeing Lives. For more information, please visit our website.

E-Newsletter 2nd Edition

Contents:
1 Bhuapur Flood Rehabilitation Project Dedication Ceremony
2 Volunteers in Patuakhali
3 Global Village/Volunteer Teams
4 Fundraising
5 Hoops for Habitat
6 Coming Events
7 Asia/Pacific Updates
8 Habitat Merchandise
9 Regular Program


1. Bhuapur Flood Rehabilitation Project Dedication Ceremony
Habitat for Humanity Int’l Bangladesh handed over rehabilitation shelters to 120 flood affected families in Bhuapur, Tangail during a house dedication ceremony on 3rd March 2008.

The ceremony was organized at the Arjuna Union Council in Bhuapur upazila in Tangail District. Md. Akther Ali Sarker, Deputy Commissioner of Tangail was present at the occasion as the Chief Guest.

Yoshihiro Sakakibara Fist Secretary for Development Cooperation and Economic Affairs of Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh graced the occasion as the Guest of Honor.
In her speech Megumi Nishijima International Program Officer of Habitat Japan expressed her gratitude to the audience in Bangla. She cherished all who came to celebrate the House Dedication Ceremony.

While recalling the situation after the flood she said when the assessment team visited the villages by boat, they couldn’t see houses but water every where. She said, “The area almost looked like an ocean. We witnessed people were trying to evacuate with their belongings by boat.” She also mentioned the critical conditions at the shelter camps. She added “People were living at congested and very small places with tiny shelters made of jute sticks. There were no safe water and sanitation. People have no enough food. Agricultural products were damaged. But people had the urge to go back to their own places after the water subsides and start all over again.”

Ms. Megumi thanked HFHI-B staffs to respond even on holidays. She continued her touchy speech saying, “All though there were lots of discussions and arguments along the way now everything turned to me like good memories.” She gave her gratitude to each Project staffs including drivers and cooks by their names and mentioned how their enthusiasm was instrumental in completing the project on time.

In concluding her remarks she cited the home owners’ duty. She said, “Now it depends on you how you will make your lives comfortable. You have to work hard, face new challenges and bring changes in your lives.”

Whilst speaking at the ceremony Roger Bodary the CEO/National Director of Habitat for Humanity Int’l Bangladesh thanked Govt. of Bangladesh especially for the cooperation and timely approvals of the Disaster Management Bureau, NGO Affairs Bureau and local government of Tangail District to make this project such a success.

He said “Habitat for Humanity is indeed very pleased to be able to be a part of the flood rehabilitation effort of the Government of Bangladesh. Our only sorrow is that we could not have provided more.”

2. Volunteers in Patuakhali
This past month has been quite busy for The Patuakhali Cyclone Sidr Project. Volunteers from Christian Aid Mission (CAM) have been diligently working on-site, creating the first of many transitional shelters for those affected by Cyclone Sidr.

The CAM teams were met by a contingent from ARUP, a global design and business consulting firm specializing in building and construction engineering. The ARUP team comprised of employees from the U.K., Australia, Italy, South Africa and the United States.
The project was also visited by a local group, comprising of Habitat staff and supporters, as well as a noted photojournalist.

3. Global Village Teams/Volunteer Teams
This has been a busy month for Sanjay, our Volunteers Manager, hosting 6 teams since the last e-newsletter. The following teams joined Habitat Bangladesh during the last month:

Rits Habitat (Campus Chapter)
Kandai Habitat
Meiji Gakuin University
International School Dhaka
ARUP Grup
JCC Kansai

To be a part of the Global village program, please contact Sanjay, sanjay@habitatbangladesh.org

Pierre is organizing yet another group of local volunteers to visit our builds around Bangladesh. Some positions are still available for the 24th and 26th of March. Please contact Pierre if you would like to join a 1-day build on those days.
Pierre@habitatbangladesh.org

4. Fundraising
Sponsor a regular home only at USD 800 or Taka 56,000. You can donate a core shelter unit for our Sidr rehabilitation project with Taka 70,000.

A little bit of your sharing can ensure a home for a family. To donate or getting involved with Habitat Bangladesh contact Emelda at emeldam@habitatbangladesh.org

5. Hoops for Habitat
On Saturday, 15th March, a charity basketball tournament, Hoops for Habitat, was organized to benefit local NGO Habitat for Humanity Bangladesh.


Organized and run by a team from Dhaka, comprising of an Australian (our own Pierre from the RD/PR Department), 2 Frenchmen and a Bangladeshi, the event drew 20 teams and over 150 people, raising 16,700 taka for Habitat’s work in rural Bangladesh, building homes for those most in need.

The event was sponsored by the International School, Dhaka, who provided the venue and support staff free of charge, as well as Virgin Cola, who generously provided refreshments for players and spectators alike.

Comprising of a 3 on 3 tournament and a 3-point contest, Hoops for Habitat attracted a diverse range of players, from Bangladeshis to Americans, Chinese to French.


After 5 hours of competitive basketball, the “Big Bangs”, incidentally the organizer’s team, emerged as tournament victors. They were presented the trophy by Roger Bodary, CEO of Habitat Bangladesh, and in turn presented Mr. Bodary with the proceeds from the tournament.

6. Coming Events
a) Concert for Habitat - April
b) Battle of the Bands - April
c) Rep Your School Competition – More details soon!

7. Asia/Pacific Updates
Some of our stories from the field will be appearing on the Habitat Asia/Pacific website, keep checking the website!
www.habitat.org/ap

8. Habitat Merchandise
Both our Calendars and Bricks are still available, get yours today!
Bricks: 500 taka
Calendars: 150 taka
Contact us for orders.

9. Regular Program
House Projection:

Total family served = 1197
Under Construction = 35
Family served for the month of February = 58
Total FY 08 Family served = 133

E-Newsletter 1st Edition

Contents:

1 Welcome!
2 School Presentations
3 Global village/Volunteer Teams
4 Fundraising
5 Website
6 Coming Events
7 Asia/Pacific Updates
8 Habitat Merchandise
9 Disaster Response Project
10 Regular Program


1. Welcome
Welcome to the 1st E-Newsletter for Habitat Bangladesh!
This will be a monthly newsletter informing all Habitat Staff, partners and volunteers about the activities of HFHI-B.

If you have any comments, questions or concerns, feel free to email us, we would love to hear from you.

2. School Presentations
On January 23rd, the RD team visited the International School, Dhaka, (ISD) to give a presentation about Habitat Bangladesh to the senior school assembly.

Over 1,200 students and teachers were given a presentation about Habitat’s work, values, goals and volunteer programs, in anticipation of the School Build planned for March 2008.

The RD team answered questions from students and teachers alike, and presented the school with information and marketing materials to display until the build.

ISD has been a fantastic supporter of Habitat Bangladesh, not only through donations, but also through support of our Buy a Brick project, as well as through volunteering
for builds!

Our sincere thanks and appreciation go out to Rebecca Garbenis and Alison Stanton from ISD, who have been instrumental in the partnership between the school and Habitat.

3. Global Village Teams/Volunteer Teams
On the 6th of January, Sanjay bid farewell to the Youth Builders from Korea. The 23 students visited Mymensingh and helped build 4 houses.

The team also visited the Mymensingh Agriculture University, and were also treated to a visit and dinner with the Garo Tribal Community.

Sanjay’s work with GV teams seems never-ending; the next team arrives on the 3rd of February, building in Satkhira and leaving on the 13th.

GV teams are an integral part of the fundraising for Habitat Bangladesh; they are also an amazing and rewarding way to experience both Bengali culture and the power of
helping others build their own homes.

Experience the joy of volunteering. Contact Sanjay at sanjay@habitatbangladesh.org

On the 18th of January, Pierre took a team of volunteers to visit Habitat’s Flood Disaster Project in Bhuapur. This successful event allowed the volunteers to experience both the technical expertise of the project staff as well the scale in which we are building.

More day trips to Bhuapur are planned for the near future, please contact Pierre if you would like to participate.

The cost per person is 1,000 taka, and includes transportation to and from the site.
Pierre@habitatbangladesh.org

4. Fundraising
We are thankful to our donors for their generosity to raise fund locally. During the last quarter we got six new individual donors. It was a pleasure meeting new people and knowing their vision to improve living conditions for the poor. We extend special thanks to Barbara Brown, Community Liaison Office Coordinator of US Embassy Dhaka. She is a magnificent fundraiser. This Fiscal Year staffs of US Embassy Dhaka sponsored 6 houses.

Our deepest appreciation goes to Shirin Huda, who inspired her friends and family to support Habitat’s Sidr project. We want to thank Shikha Nag and Dorothee Binsfeld of ADBSA Manila for their contributions to Habitat Bangladesh Sidr rehabilitation fund.

Thanks goes to Francois and Chye de Ryckel and their friends from Belgium for their support for building homes for the Sidr victims. Thank you Mariha Chowdhury for raising funds to help building decent homes for Habitat beneficiaries.

Between July to December 2007 our in country fund raising stands at Taka 18,40,871 and 1250 US Dollars. God bless our donors and friends!

Sponsor a regular home only at USD 800 or Taka 56,000. You can donate a core shelter unit for our Sidr rehabilitation project with Taka 70,000.

A little bit of your sharing can ensure a home for a family. To donate or getting involved with Habitat Bangladesh contact Emelda at emeldam@habitatbangladesh.org

5. Website
As many of you would have noticed, the Habitat Website has been, and continues to be, redeveloped. Your feedback is invaluable, so please let us know what you think!
You can access the website at http://www.habitatbangladesh.org/

In the coming week we will be loading Google Earth links so visitors to the site can see exactly where we build, as well as view pictures directly from the build site!

6. Coming Events
a) US Embassy Build, Kaliganj, 15th and 16th February
b) Chevron Donation Handover- Details in next edition
c) Rep Your School Competition – More details soon!
d) Bhuapur Project visit, Tangail, Fridays in February
e) School visits – More details soon!
f) Bhuapur House Dedication - More details soon!
g) Sidr Response Project – More details soon!

7. Asia/Pacific Updates
Some of our stories from the field will be appearing on the Habitat Asia/Pacific website, keep checking the website!
www.habitat.org/ap

8. Habitat Merchandise
Both our Calendars and Bricks are still available, get yours today!
Bricks: 500 taka
Calendars: 150 taka
Contact us for orders.

9. Disaster Response Project
The Program and Disaster Response Department would like to report that they have just completed the 50th House in Bhuapur, Tangail.

Our congratulations to the team, and our best wishes for the continued success of the project.

10. Regular Program
As of January 2008, in fiscal year 2007-08, Habitat for Humanity International – Bangladesh has built 75 Save and Build Homes, bringing the total number of families served to 1139.
Congratulations to our new home-partners!

MERCHANDISE FOR SALE:
HABITAT BANGLADESH 2008 WALL CALENDAR
100 Taka
For orders please contact info@habitatbangladesh.org


Road #23/B, House #7, 2nd Floor
Gulshan-1, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
Tel: +88 02 883 2945
Mob: +88 01 726 7025 47
E: info@habitatbangladesh.org
http://www.habitatbangladesh.org/
http://www.habitat.org/


Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Welcome!

Welcome to the Habitat for Humanity Int'l - Bangladesh Blog!

Here we will keep you updated on all the goings on in our organisation. Feel free to ask any questions, we would love to hear from you!

Don't forget to check out our website, Habitat Bangladesh, for the history, purpose and values of our organisation.

Sincerely,

Habitat Bangladesh.