Friday, August 22, 2008

Charity in Bangladesh

On November 15, 2007, Cyclone Sidr struck Bangladesh and left thousands of people dead and around 3 million people without any shelter or food. This is one of many natural disasters that has affected Bangladesh over the years.

As one of the poorest countries in the world, millions of people in Bangladesh are stricken by diseases as a result of water contaminated with arsenic and water-borne diseases in general. Poverty also leaves many without any food or proper shelter. Building deep water wells helps provide arsenic-free water to people in the village. Over the past 3 years through donations we’ve (my family – aunts and uncles personally go into the villages to make sure the wells are constructed properly) managed to provide 7 tube wells. Each tube well costs around KD 300 (almost $1,000) which can be used by around 50 people in a village.

Moreover, for several years I have been closely working with an orphanage in Dhaka that provides shelter, food, and education to the children. KD 60 (around $200) takes care of all expenses needed by one orphan (food, clothing, materials for education (books, pens, paper etc.) for one year.

Among our charity projects are providing school supplies to village children – our usual school packs include one waterproof backpack with an umbrella, 6 exercise books, 12 pens, 12 pencils, 1 geometry box – costing KD 5 (around $20). Last year we were able to donate 5,000 backpacks throughout Bangladesh.

We also provide vaccinations against and medication for various water-borne diseases (typhoid, cholera etc.) which are ever so common throughout Bangladesh. In addition, during the cold winter months it is very difficult for villagers to stay warm, especially without electricity. To help them we distribute blankets to as many villages as possible. KD 10 (about $40) provides enough blankets for 20 people.

Many of you have been extremely generous with your donations for these various causes. Your donations have helped provide corrugated metal for shelter, rice for sustenance, and deep tube-wells for clean drinking water. Thank you for placing trust in me and my family to make sure that 100% of your donations go directly to the people in need.

I have attached some photos from when my aunt (father’s sister) went to Bagerhat to distribute rice and shelter materials to the people in the village after Cyclone Sidr of last year.

Your donations are much appreciated. Please spread the word and feel free to contact me if you have any questions about our charity projects.


Some of the destruction of Cyclone Sidr.










Stand that was set up to distribute rice, lentils, and other food to villagers affected by the cyclone. All were bought using money contributed from friends in Kuwait.








My aunt (father's sister) at the village distributing food. 100% of the money goes directly to those in need. The time, transportation, and all other things to make it happen are on us.