Through the partner farmer program, people learn agriculture skills that improve their crops

In a small rented flat in Kumarkhali city, Bangladesh, you will find the hub of the Community Development Project (CDP) of Kushtia. Working in the underdeveloped Western side of Bangladesh, the purpose of this project is to build people's capacity to improve their quality of life through better use of their own resources.

Lifting Up the Disadvantaged

Although health and education levels have increased in the past few years, Bangladesh remains one of the poorest nations in the world. It is the most densely populated agricultural nation on earth, yet the majority of its population makes its living through subsistence farming. Literacy rates are quoted at 45% countrywide, though among rural women the percentage is far less. Illiteracy has left people vulnerable to exploitation, ignorant about factors affecting their welfare, and inept in financial management.

Through creative means, SIM and Bangladeshi workers are assisting in the advancement of the underprivileged peoples of Bangladesh through:

1. Adult literacy training;
2. The formation of cooperative savings groups;
3. Maternal-child preventative health training and Traditional Birth Assistant training; and
4. Training of marginal farmers to use more effective and more profitable agricultural techniques.

Rokea's Story

	With a loan from the savings group, Rokea was able to purchase a rickshaw for her husband.

One person assisted by the CDP is Rokea, a 43-year-old member of the "Dollon" female savings group. Rokea finished CDP's literacy training a year ago, after which the savings group was formed. She took a loan of 2000 taka for the purchase of a rickshaw for her husband. Her husband, Sirazzul, has been a partner farmer for a few years and drives a rickshaw for his day job. He used to have to rent a rickshaw. Now they are spending 63 taka less per week with the loan repayment, and after one year the rickshaw will be fully repaid. The family situation is improving, and they have been able to purchase a small piece of land.

Rokea is just one of many whose lives have been improved through the work of CDP. You can get to know others whose lives have been changed by the love of Christ through this project.

Give

You too, can be a part of showing God's love to the poor of Bangladesh through your partnership with CDP.

• $30 will give a Birth Assistant the training and tools for delivering healthy babies;
• $50 will provide hands on instruction for a partner farmer to live better off his land;
• $100 will provide literacy materials for an adult literacy class.

Go

Is God calling you to join the team? The team has needs for a project manager to work with the business arm of the project.