VAB Newsletter: July 2005

VAB/BGD ACTIVITIES

Activities in Bangladesh for 2005 have been right on target and under budget.

Scholarship Program, operating since 2000, is currently meeting its goals. Scholarships have been awarded to 340 low-income students in 17 rural schools, enabling them to finish high school. The scholarships include: textbooks, education materials, uniforms, and session and exam fees (schools pay tuition fees for scholarship holders).  Three new schools will be added by September.

School Improvement Program currently operates in 6 schools.  The program will be expanded to 10 schools in September after school inspections, interviews and reviews by advisory committee.  The program provides science equipment for labs, books for libraries, 2 computers, and sports and cultural equipment.

Teacher training is probably the most important VAB activity for upgrading schools.  Now in its second year, the training was successfully completed in June.  Teachers were given 3 days of training in 1 or 2 of 5 subjects.  79 teachers from 17 schools upgraded their skills and are most appreciative of the training.  Because of the demand by teachers and schools, VAB may conduct a second session in September.

Computer Literacy Program is operated by D-Net (NGO), which is doing an excellent job.  Twenty training centers with 4 computers each are now in operation.  Forty computer technicians have been trained as teachers and are now learning hardware maintenance. The 20 centers will train 2,000 students each year.

Bangladesh Program Management is proving very capable.  VAB has switched from contracting our program through Prakritajan (NGO) to self-management.  Many thanks to Prakritajan, which did the initial organizing and operated the program for 5 years.  Now VAB is strong and has excellent leadership:Executive Director-Dr. James Das, Advisory Board Chairman-Prof. Samsul Haq Molla, and Executive Committee Chairman-Prof Syed Giasuddin  Ahmed.

 Volunteer Interns: The leadership realized additional help was needed and recruited 20 volunteer interns from Dhaka University. The interns and two new staff were given orientation; additional training will be given in August. The interns have given VAB a real presence at the schools.  So far in 2005, all schools have been visited at least 3 times.  The volunteers stay current with what is happening at and assist each school.  This is making a big difference in the perception of and reaction to the VAB program.  Partially because of this new effort, 3 schools have been dropped from the program due to lack of interest or lack of compliance.  The remaining schools are stronger because of the increased attention they receive.

VAB Advisory Board is made up from the elite of Dhaka, is very much involved in the program and recently set up committees to facilitate decision-making. The College Scholarship, the School Selection/De-selection, and the Medical Committees will have a strong impact on future VAB programs. By September the Selection/De-Selection Committee with the help of the interns will select 3 new schools for the Scholarship Program and, from current VAB schools, 4 schools to be included in the Improvement Program.

New Office/Registration: The office on Kakrail Rd. is furnished (donations from the Advisory Board) and working well for staff, volunteers and meetings.  And, lastly, VAB registration as an NGO is taking more time than hoped, but moving ahead.

 

VAB/US ACTIVITIES

Chapters:  As a means to inform and interest more donors, particularly Bangladeshis, VAB is organizing chapters in the US. This will establish more “VAB Faces” in local communities.  Efforts are underway in New York City and on Long Island.  Chapters may have either a special focus or provide general support for VAB.  If there is potential in your area, contact VAB and we can help you organize a chapter.

Personal Events:  Many thanks to Dr. Florence McCarthy (Peace Corps volunteer ’61-63) and her friends who established a VAB contribution to remember their good friends: Dr. Joseph Zygmunt, retired Sociology professor, Univ. of Connecticut and Mrs. Maggie Zygmunt, retired professor, Cornell Univ. Remembrances, birthdays, any personal event can be opportunities to contribute to VAB.

Web site: The first phase of the VAB web site update has been completed thanks to the help of Ms. Mariam Khan our new volunteer from England.  The first phase focused on adding basic information.  We would like to hear your thoughts regarding the site before we move to the second phase of redesigning the web site.

Brochure: The 2005 brochure in black/white is finished.  It is attractive, concise and tells the VAB story. Mr. RD Grant and Mr. von took major responsibility for the brochure.  Many others helped. Thank all of you for your ideas and comments. If you want copies to distribute in your area or to friends, please contact us.

Audit: Mr. Amazad Khan, VAB-NJ, worked with  Mrs. Mani, our volunteer accountant, to update the VAB and VAB-NJ accounts, then merged them into one account in preparation for the IRS report and our audit. The IRS Report was prepared voluntarily by the Chartered Accountant, Mr. Sarwar Salam. The VAB 2-year audit will be completed in July.

 

Fund Raising:  Past and future 

The VAB-NJ Chapter gala, “Giving Back & Changing Lives,” was held June 18.  The successful evening raised $15,000 for the Computer Literacy Program. The New Jersey Governor and Assemblyman Upendra Chivucula gave messages of welcome.  The featured speaker was Iqbal Quadir, founder of Grameen Phone. Three hundred Bangladeshis attended.

Personalized letters: You, the reader, can participate in sending personalized letters.  The activity is based on the experience of Dr. Mominul Hoque, Pittsburgh, and Mr. Mahfuz Chowdhury, Long Island, who sent letters to their colleagues, friends and relatives. Three simple steps: 1) VAB will e-mail a draft donor letter to you, 2) you will personalize the draft for for colleagues, friends or relatives, and will prepare a list of names, 3) VAB will do the mailing using the personalized letter and names, adding the VAB brochure and annual report.  This activity is dependent on you providing names of colleagues and friends. Please contact ATR Rahman (see below) if you will participate.

Outreach campaign: This will be a massive mailing to reach 5,000 Bangladeshis in the US. It will cost approximately $5,000 initially to identify recipients, prepare the package and conduct the mailing.  We have an agreement with a professional to do the whole package.  Now we need the funds.  We will acknowledge the donor, if desired, at the bottom of the letter.  Please consider funding either all or part of this activity. Contact ATR Rahman (see below).

Corporate Charity Listing:  IBM has recently certified VAB as a nonprofit to which employees or retirees may contribute through their annual giving campaign by noting the charity code-OM667.  Many corporations will contribute a like amount to any contribution made.  If your company has such a program, please have VAB added to their list.

 

UPCOMING EVENT

VAB will host a major fund raising event in September in the NY area.  Dinner, prominent speakers, and entertainment will be provided.  Ad space in a Journal will be used to attract sponsors.  The first Organizing Meeting will be held in July.  We need your help to make the event a success.  Please call ATR Rahman with your ideas and to volunteer at various tasks.

 

UPDATED 15-MINUTE VAB VIDEO NOW AVAILABLE

Many thanks go to RD Grant, board member, who has updated the VAB Video using film recently taken in Bangladesh.  The video tells the exciting story of VAB improving educational opportunities for Bangladeshi youth.  VAB wants everyone to see the video to inform Americans of the opportunities available and the success which their contributions can achieve.  If you are having a birthday, a party or other event, plan to use the video to raise funds for VAB.  For your copy contact Mr. Grant (860-669-5322) or Dr. ATR Rahman (see below address).

 

VAB CONTACT INFORMATION

For information or to contribute, contact:

Dr. ATR Rahman/VAB

P.O. Box 234, Irvington, NY 10533.

Telephone: 914-591-8635

E-mail: arahman10@aol.com

Web Site: www.vabonline.org