About VAB :: Mission

Our Mission

The Volunteers Association for Bangladesh VAB mission is to nourish a brighter future for the underprivileged youth through quality education, computer literacy, and vocational training.

Accomplishments Since 2000

Provided scholarships enabling over 3000 high school students from underprivileged rural families to continue their education in 24 schools located in 11 districts.

Offered college scholarships to 192 awardees of which 22 are pursuing post-HSC study.

Did tutorials for SSC examinees in 11 schools.

Supplied science equipment, library books, cultural and sports equipment, and computers to 15 high schools.

Orientation to Head Masters periodically.

Trained teachers yearly from all VAB schools in Math, English and science.

VAB New Jersey Chapter (VAB-NJ) has established 60 computer- learning centers and trained 9179 students under its computer literacy program (CLP).

Why We Do This

Rural Bangladesh is poor. The majority of families are essentially landless. Jobs are scarce. Only those who are educated have any chance of a job. Rural literacy is only 38%. The State cannot afford to provide adequately trained teachers or equipment to the schools. As a result, high school students must pay tuition and fees as well as buy books and supplies. Many students can afford neither the direct cost of further schooling nor the financial loss from the small earning they bring home from work in the fields. Consequently, obtaining a diploma or vocational training is very difficult. This reality makes it all but impossible to break out of poverty without outside assistance.

Every dollar we raise to support cognitive learning, school improvement, computer literacy and vocational training is an investment in Bangladesh’s future, in the stability of this South Asian democracy and in a better world.

VAB Programs – 2008

In 2008, VAB will continue and will expand all programs. Scholarships will be awarded to 580 additional students in 29 schools; tutorials for SSC exam will be continued; critical equipment will be provided to two schools; essential training will be conducted for teachers from 29 schools. The Computer learning centers will expand to 65. College scholarships will be expanded to over 300 continuing and new applicants. VAB will initiate remedial tutoring at grade VI in all 29 schools and will organize eight Pre-schools. VAB will expand Volunteer Interns to 29 in 2008.

How We Implement

In the U.S., using VAB and its US Chapters:

Publicize VAB’s work through letters and presentations at meetings

Raise funds separately for each program

Provide strategic plans for VAB Office and one NGO ( D-Net) in Bangladesh

Transfer funds & other resources

Develop criteria and guidelines for programs

Monitor implementation and arrange program evaluations

Audit expenditures and measure results

In Bangladesh, using two partner NGOs:

Prepare detailed plans with priorities and phases for implementing programs

Receive funds and resources for programs

Select schools, learning centers & awardees

Train teachers, trainers, staff and volunteers for various programs

Deliver program inputs and monitor their use in cooperation with local groups

Provide reports, receive officials from US, and participate in evaluations

VAB received registration as a foreign NGO from Bangladesh Government in January 2006.

How We Are Organized

The Volunteers Association for Bangladesh is the U.S. tax exempt, parent organization for all VAB activities and administers its educational program: supporting high school scholarships, tutorials, school improvement and teacher training, college scholarships, Pre-schools and vocational training. The VAB-NJ administers the computer literacy program by establishing and supervising the computer- learning centers.
In Bangladesh, two specialized NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) are utilized to implement our programs. For the Educational Programs, VAB has organized its own office under its Representative with an Executive Board comprising well-connected professionals and civic-minded businessmen. The Office is located in 107/1 Kakrail, Dhaka with four staff under an Executive Director. The Computer Literacy Program works under the guidance of VAB-NJ with D.Net (www.dnet-bangladesh.org) as the local NGO.

VAB Management & Accountability

VAB operations in the US are decentralized and carried out 100% by volunteers. Overhead costs are only about 3% of funds raised. VAB accounts are kept in standard format, using Quick Books; audits of both U.S. and Bangladesh operations are prepared annually; reports to IRS and Charities Bureau of New York and New Jersey states are submitted routinely. We publish one annual report and three newsletters a year. We e-mail periodic bulletins to our volunteers, donors and sponsors for specific VAB activities to keep them informed of progress. VAB welcomes visit to its office in Bangladesh from donors, patrons and media in USA and will arrange free their travel / stay within the country, if necessary, to its schools/ centers.

How Can You Participate

VAB seeks to help the youth of Bangladesh reach their potential. VAB activities are funded through contributions from individuals like you. We need your generous support to expand our programs. Please make a tax-deductible contribution and tell friends and family about us.

General contributions of any size are gratefully accepted. Or, you may target your donation to one or more of the following activities (if desired, we can accommodate your choice of place and ways of recognition for your support):

20 scholarships for a school of your choice for $1000 a year.

One college scholarship at $ 150 a year.

Furnish a science laboratory with one time donation of $ 3000.

Provide books for a school library for $2000.

Adopt a computer center with 4 new sets for $2750 + $250 for a teacher’s fellowship.

Support a pre-school of your choice for 30 students for $700 a year.

Adopt a Tutorial Center for $500 a year.

Sponsor Teachers training for one year in Math, English and Science with $ 1500.

Sponsor total improvement of a school covering science equipment, library books, and four computers with $8,000.

Please donate generously. Contributions to VAB (IRS ID No. 13-4034550) are tax deductible; you will be sent a receipt for your tax purposes.

Contributions may be sent electronically to: Chase Manhattan Bank, New York, Account No. 273-686-6795; ABA #: 021-000021, or by check payable to "VAB," mail to:
VAB, P.O. Box 234,
Irvington, New York 10533.

For any query, contact: Dr. A.T. Rafiqur Rahman at 914-591-8635; arahman10@aol.com Or Dr. Fazlur Chowdhury at 845-623-3819 or Peter von Christierson at 360-385-1587. Thanks.

Contact Us

Dr. A.T. Rafiqur Rahman

Phone: (914) 591-8635

Dr. Fazlur R. Chowdhury

Phone: (845) 623-3819

Mr. Peter von Christierson

Phone: (360) 385-1587

Dr. Mohammad Farooque

Phone: (732) 972-9094

Mr. Richard Grant

Phone: (860) 669-5322

Dr. Mohammad Abdullah

       Phone: (845) 454-2213

Prof. Mahfuz Chowdhury

Phone: (516) 485-2783

Dr. Jean Ellickson

Phone: (708) 445-3975

Mr. Ali Hayder

Phone (773) 539-6699

Dr. Mominul Hoque

Phone: (412) 384-2309

Dr. Delwar Hussain

        Phone: (516) 302-5989

Mrs. Farida Khan

        Phone: (714) 960-4133

Mr. Matilal Pal

        Phone: (718) 358-3617

Dr. John N. Pike

        Phone: (914) 769-5789

Dr. Ehsan Rahman

        Phone: (302) 658-0744

Mr. Md. Mizan Rahman

       Phone: (917) 796-2979

Mrs. Nasrin Rahman

        Phone: (410) 767-4211

Mr. Mohammad Saleh

        Phone: (516) 982-3460

Dr. Hasan Sarwar

        Phone: (203) 877-8717

Mr. A. Awal Siddiqui

        Phone: (516) 326-8476

Dr. Mohammad Anwar Ullah

        Phone: (304) 252-6586

Mr. Shahid Ullah

        Phone: (281) 774-2964

Mr. Bob Mac Alister

        Phone (301) 662-4497

www.vabonline.org

A Brighter Future

Through

Education

Volunteers Association

for

Bangladesh

Empowering rural underprivileged

youth through:

-- Education Scholarships

               -- Teacher Training

               -- School Upgrading

               -- Computer literacy

               -- Vocational Training

               -- Tutorial Programs

Quality education, computer literacy and vocational training: keys to a hopeful future