VAB
ANNUAL REPORT – 2007
"VAB has made amazing gains in
2007," according to Peter von Christierson, Program Director, after his
3-week trip to Bangladesh. "More schools, more scholarships, new
activities and VAB began fund raising in Bangladesh. VAB is poised for
expansion and implementation of new activities in 2008. All VAB needs is strong
support from our sponsors."
Teachers Training Program: VAB learned in 2002
that training teachers from VAB schools probably has the most impact to improve
the quality of rural education. The training helps to motivate teachers, to
build confidence by reviewing the national curriculum, and to make teachers
more effective by modeling new teaching methods. In September 2007, the annual
VAB training provided several 3-day training sessions to 91 teachers at the VAB
office. Teachers of Grade VI–VIII were given content-curriculum training for
Math and English—the subjects students have the most trouble with on the
national SSC exam. Teachers also were trained using new interactive teaching
methods by peer trainers. Trainers used discussion methods and modeled how to
have students think out problems rather than memorizing—new concepts for many
teachers. General Science was included along with Math and English. Again,
Principal Hamida Ali, a Member of the VAB Advisory Board, took responsibility
for recruiting the trainers and organizing the training. As always, the
teachers were quite excited about the training and demanded more as soon as
possible.
High School Scholarship Program: On the Secondary
School Certificate (SSC) exam, VAB schools averaged 63.8% in 2006 and 75.3% in
2007. A total of 480 meritorious Class VIII, IX and X students from poor
families received VAB scholarships (20 each from 24 Schools—3 girls and 21
coeducational). Textbooks, exercise books and educational materials were
properly distributed to all scholarship recipients in February 2007. Session,
exam and tuition fees, and school uniform allowances were distributed in
April–June. In 2008, VAB will include 4 additional schools for a total of 28.
College Scholarship Program: For VAB high school
scholarship holders, a VAB college scholarship is the reward for outstanding
performance on the nationwide SSC exam. The VAB scholarships are a great
opportunity: they provide admission fees, textbooks, tuition fees, science
equipment, calculators, college exam fees and, finally, registration fees to
sit for the centrally administered Higher Secondary Certificate Examination
(HSC).
Class of 2005: In 2005–2006 academic
year, VAB, for the first time, awarded full college (2-year program)
scholarships to 39 VAB students who had achieved (A+, A and A-) on the national
SSC exam. In July 2006, a midterm performance review recommended 31 students to
continue into the second year program; eight students dropped for a variety of
reasons including only one student who failed. These 31 students sat for the
HSC exam in 2007; 25 got A; 2 B and 3 C and only one student failed. Pass
percentage was 97%. VAB is now working to put all 25 VAB students who
scored A into universities, medical and engineering colleges. The
students are now busy writing their admission tests. As a special effort, VAB
invited nine students to have a room and coaching at the VAB office to prepare
themselves for the admission tests they will be writing and to get acquainted
with Dhaka city; they brought their food from home. VAB provided a free stay,
cooking facilities and coaching for three months. This VAB service will greatly
benefit them as they take their university tests. VAB is currently recruiting
sponsors for these University Scholarships.
Class of 2006: In 2006, a total
number of 86 VAB students sat for SSC exams from 15 schools. 56 achieved A
level (A+, A, A-) performance. 60 students (56 VAB students and 4 targeted
donor students) received VAB college scholarships. With VAB assistance and
advocacy, all the students have been admitted to colleges, most of them in
their local areas; two were admitted to colleges in Dhaka. First-phase
funds have been distributed to all scholarship holders. In July 2007, a
midterm performance review was made and out of the VAB 60 students, 53 scored
grade A and 7 B. VAB secured, from sponsorships funds, scholarships for most
of the 60 students, allowing them to complete their final year of college.
Class of 2007: In 2007, 150 VAB
students (an increase of 64) sat for SSC exams and 76% passed: 102 scored A, 11
got B and 4 C. Most failures occurred in Math or in English. VAB secured
sponsorship from 46 families for all 102 students.
School Improvement Program: VAB selects new
schools to be part of the Improvement Program to assist each school to
improve its quality of education and as a reward for performance under the
School Scholarship Program. Under this Program, schools are provided with
computers and accessories; books for (sometimes non-existent) libraries;
science equipment for poorly equipped laboratories; and sports and cultural
equipment. By 2006, 12 Scholarship schools were included in the Improvement
Program and two more schools were included for 2007, for a total of 14.
Tutoring Program: VAB initiated a pilot
program of tutoring for the SSC Exam for mid- and poor-ranking VAB schools.
Tutoring will improve the performance of all students who qualify to take the
SSC Exam and thereby improve the rankings of the schools. As English and Math
are considered the major hurdles in the SSC exams, VAB provided financial
assistance this year to six pilot schools for tutors of English and Math to
tutor the candidates for three months before starting the SSC exam. In 2006–7,
the school results were impressive. In 2007–8, a total of 11 schools were
brought under this program and are expected to excel.
Pre-School Program: VAB operated a
Pre-School Program in Sirajgonj with full support from a targeted
donor. The project is aimed at children who are mostly from slum dwellers
and who have not shown interest in school for lack of funds, facilities or
family environment. The school has been under operation for three years where,
besides education and play, a nutritious snack is also provided. The results
are promising as most students graduate after one year and get admission to
Grade II at local primary schools. VAB intends to develop an additional eight
pre-schools in 2008.
Volunteers Training Program: Thirty motivated intern
volunteers are the key to well-operated and monitored VAB programs. They
are recruited from seniors at Dhaka universities and colleges. VAB
provides them with a real-life experience in rural Bangladesh, which is a foreign
world to many of them. After two days of training in practical research
methods and accounting procedures, and a day of fieldwork, interns are assigned
one or two schools for a year. They monitor and research the education
progress of scholarship holders and of the school in general and distribute
equipment and funds. The motivated interns make the program work and
translate their excitement to teachers and students.
New Program Activities for 2008: VAB is ready to
expand activities. Building on the success of on-going and pilot
activities, in 2008 VAB is planning the following: Teacher Training expands to
five days, Scholarship High Schools expand to 28 (560 scholarships), College
Scholarships expand to 162, University Scholarships begin with 25 students,
Tutoring expands to 11 schools and Pre-School expands to nine schools. VAB will
initiate pilot activities: a Class VI Testing/ Tutoring program
in six schools to ensure students have sufficient learning skills to succeed,
and Vocational Education classes in VAB schools for students not interested in
an academic path. VAB staff and advisors are currently developing plans for
implementation of these new activities. Additional funds are needed for the
expanded and pilot activities.
Computer Learning Program: The CLP is
administered by the N.J. Chapter of VAB and is implemented by D.Net, Bangladesh NGO. The CLP now has 60 centers offering computer literacy courses. CLP is currently
developing an instructional CD that will facilitate English learning. Since
2003, 9,179 students have received certificates.
Administration and Fund Raising: VAB/BGD is
registering a new NGO named, "The Volunteers." This will provide VAB
more financial flexibility and access to Bangladesh funds. Half of Peter von
Christierson’s 3-week Bangladesh trip was spent fund raising and discussing
future opportunities with other NGOs. Mr. Von wants to thank all of VAB’s
friends who offered names to contact in Bangladesh. As a beginning, three Bangladesh corporations indicated they would provide grants. Mrs. Eva Rahman was
instrumental in making the contacts and will follow up once she returns from
her visit to the U.S. Mr. Von also reviewed programs and helped plan 2008
programs with staff, Advisory Board, and the interns.
NEWS FROM THE U.S.
VAB Flood Relief Fund for Bangladesh: A
total of 45 individuals and one organization donated $8,550, which was wired at
VAB’s cost. Dr. Mohammad Abdullah of IBM, along with his friends, raised
$4,950, which was wired to Prothom Alo Tran Tahabil, as desired by the donors.
Seven VAB Patrons donated $2,350 and an organization—Helpers Helping the
Helpless (care of Dr. Mohammad Anwarullah)—contributed $1,250. These donations
were wired to Chief Advisors Relief and Welfare Fund, as desired by them. Detailed
records are available for review by any donor. One VAB volunteer, Mr. Abdul
Alim Khan, recently visited SIDR-ravaged Pathorghata, Barguna district,
recently, along with Mr. Muhith of the U.S.
Fundraising Activities and Volunteers: Fundraising letters
were sent to 400 donors in February. Dr. Fazlur Rahman Chowdhury mailed
out the second fundraising letter in August to nearly 300 donors. With the
help of a volunteer, Farhana Rahman, Dr. Rahman mailed 600 letters in October
to expatriate Bangladeshis using a database developed by Md. Mizan Rahman. Dr.
Rahman mailed the last fundraising letter in December. A Fundraising Dinner
was held on 24 March this year under the active collaboration of several
volunteers, including Messrs. Mohammad Saleh, Mizan Rahman, Matilal Pal,
Mrs. Afroza Huq and Ms. Afrin Huq. Additionally, a publicity and fundraising
dinner was hosted by Mr. Abu and Mrs. Shelly Rahman at their house on Sunday,
22 April in the Newton Square/Upper Derby suburb of Philadelphia, at which 30
persons joined. Five Patrons targeted donations of $1,000 and plus each
for scholarships in their targeted schools. They are: Mr. A. Rob Chowdhury, Dr.
Monwara Begum, Dr. Waheedul Islam, Dr. Ishtiaque Hussain and Dr. and Mrs.
Maksud Chowdhury. Several volunteers offered to take an active role
in VAB, including Ms. Tanjila Islam, Ms.Parveen Sikder, Messers Rashad Haque,
Shamsul Islam, Faizal Chowdhury and Dr. Mohammad A. Monzur.
VAB Membership with InterAction: The American
Council for Voluntary International Action: Thanks to a six-month
effort by VAB’s Washington Representative, Bob MacAllister, VAB has been
accepted as a member of InterAction. InterAction is the largest alliance of
U.S.-based international development and humanitarian NGOs. With more than165
members operating in every developing country, InterAction works to overcome
poverty, exclusion and suffering by advancing social justice and basic dignity
for all. Our membership will increase VAB’s creditability and assist in fund
raising. Thank you, Mr. MacAllister.
VAB Audit Reports: Thanks to the
generous help of Mr. Sarwar Salam and Mrs. Manju Mani, reports were submitted
to the IRS, New York, and New Jersey on time.
