A Journey through Livelihood

Another Script I did for an International NGO to make a documentary to present to the International Doner Groups and to the various organization of UN.

A Journey through Livelihood

Emphasing on two core topic of NATIONAL FOOD POLICY 2008-2015, the government of Peoples Republic of Bangladesh has started an project called FOOD & LIVELIHOOD SECURITY in short “FLS” in the year 2012, funded by the European Union. In the field level, this project has been implemented by the Department of Women Affairs under Ministry of Women and Children Affairs.

The two core topics on which the FLS project has emphasizes particularly are:

1. Provission for income for the poor women and the disabled
2. Ensuring the effectiveness of Food Security and preparing other safety zone

This project is the next part of already implemented IFADEP, FSVGD and VGDUP funded by EU, which by dividing into four grant lot implementing in the field level through four NGO(s) in to the 22 upozilas and 196 unions of 3 northwestern district of Bangladesh – Naogaon, Nator and Chapai Nawabganj. 

The NGO(s) which are implementing this project in 3 districts are:

Grant Lot-1: Village Education Resource Centre (VERC)

Grant Lot-2: Assistance for Social Organization & Development (ASOD)

Grant Lot-3: Eco Social Development Organization (ESDO)

Grant Lot-4: Resource Integration Centre (RIC)

The main target of FLS project is to enhance the idea of Gender Equality and to achieve women’s empowerment for improving their life and livelihood by including them in to the productive and income enhancing activities.

The approximate cost of this project is 223 crore 33 lac taka. In which the contribution of EU is 216 crore taka, contribution of Government is 5 crore 40 lac taka and the contribution of NGO(s) are 1 crore 93 lac taka.

To achieve the target of this project properly, selection of the beneficiaries also taken into consideration with much importance. It is a very clear process. Female members of ultra poor women headed families of village who are mostly hasband abandoned, divorced and widows are selected as the beneficiaries through careful evaluation of their life standard and financial condition judged by the field level organizations. Also the small and marginal share croppers, who, due to the lack of capital constantly became unable to do the farming and constantly became a victim of financial struggle and social deprivation.

So, it can be said for sure that the people those who needs the assistance most, became benefitted by FLS project. Untill now, 50000 ultra poor female headed families and 30000 ultra poor marginal share croppers families from northwestern region of Bangladesh brought into the opportunities of FLS.

The FLS project opened the door of opportunities for these selected beneficiaries towards a sustainable improvements through cash allowances, money transfer, collection of productive resources, income enhancing activities, training on social awareness and technical training for the female beneficiaries, marginal and sharecroppers. 

[INTERVIEW]

One of the most innovative steps of the FLS project is opening separate bank account for it’s beneficiaries. So that the money granted for the materials or productive resources can be deposited directly into their Bank Account. With the active help of Bangladesh Bank, the beneficiaries are able to open a savings account by depositing only 10 taka which enhance their peace of mind and minimiseed their risk of depreciation. 

For 20 months the ultra poor females and sharecroppers received 400 taka per month from which they have deposited 50 taka into group bank account compulsorily as savings. The women received 1000 taka with which they have started house hold gardening. This gardening helps to increase their income along with increasing the body nutritions of their family members. 

[INTERVIEW]

The FLS project already gain the confidence of each family included as a people-centred project. The main

reason for this is the co-ordination of periodic development.  

Such as: with the employees of associate NGO(s), orientation courses were organized frequently. So that, the employees can gain, adequate knowledge about the purpose of the project, desired result and how to measure the financial condition of the ultra poor from villages and the effectiveness of the project.

So that the beneficiaries can ensure a sustainable improved life standard by enhancing their professional efficiency, the employees of FLS project frequently arrange meeting between the beneficiaries and high officials of local government-non government organization and with leading businessmen. 

[INTERVIEW]

Achieving financial prosperity is not sufficient to ensure Food & Livelihood Security for the poor, along with this another important issue is to increase person’s own, family and social awareness. It can be viewed clearly by the various activities of people-centred FLS project to increase social awareness. So the implementing organizations frequently arrange for themetic group discussions and workshops with the beneficiaries. Besides, combining the local peoples and with the help of local administrator and Department of Women Affairs the FLS instinctively arrange rallies, discussion forum and cultural events to objerve various national and international days.

Direct dialogue with the beneficiaries, to distribute cash allowances and the money for resourses amomg the beneficiaries and even the officials of the related ministry and department and from the donating organization- The EU people frequently visits the project areas to evaluate the implementation of the project and its result. And this increased greatly the beneficiaries’ incentive for better work.

[INTERVIEW]

We can hope that with the proper implementation of FLS project, ultra poor people from the project areas of 3 northwestern district of Bangladesh- Naogaon, Nator and Chapai Nawabganj- can be able to stand on their own feet as a competent workforce soon. This will empower the underprivileged women. Everyone will have the food safety. With the improved life standard will bring the livelihood security. At the same time the improvement of other safety zones of Food and Livelihood security as projected in the National Food policy 2008-2015 will gain the pace.

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