The villagers of Durgapur Union observed the Victory Day (16 December 2006) for the first time after 35 years of independence of Bangladesh. The program was organized by Durgapur UCC (Union Coordination Committee) under the auspices of Durgapur Union Parishad (Md. Hazrat Ali, Chairman) with supportive assistance of NBDs, NGOs, Village Committees, school teachers and the villagers in common. PRDP-2 supported the program, for the first time, as an event-based activity of "common interest" to mobilize the villagers.
The day-long program started from 12:01 o'clock midnight with sounds of cannons awakening sleeping inhabitants; hoisting of National Flag at sunrise; various games and sports organized for the villagers specially for school children, youths, girls and freedom fighters from 9 am to 2 pm; discussion session and grand gala reception of 66 freedom fighters residing in the Union with souvenirs commemorating their patriotic deed at 2:30 pm; cultural functions and variety shows from 4:30 pm which lasted till late into the night.
PRDP-2 plans to sponsor this type of "soft schemes" organized by UCCs or VCs bearing 70% cost along with conventional micro-infrastructure build-up. There are many more soft schemes in line that are to be organized by different UCCs, including speech contest, debate, drawing contest, school cultural events, etc., commemorating such national days as 21 February, 26 March, Boishaki, etc.
Sewing Training Bears Tailoring Business
As many as 20 women bought sewing machines and some of them started small tailoring and dress-making businesses at their villages. This is far-more-than expected outcome from the four-month sewing training conducted in Bangra union since March 2006, from which 34 village women successfully graduated (as reported in June, October and November 2006 issues). These petty entrepreneurs are now earning trust of fellow villagers for their high skills, timely delivery with relatively cheap charge. We are told that they have more customers week after week. Some of them are giving fellow MD (Mohila Dal) members primary sewing training, too. We hope they will stand on their own feet someday and earn improved social status in the villages owing to their confidence obtained through the training course.
What Shall We Do to Keep VC Active?
One day in December 2006, as a part of awakening campaign of sleeping VCs, PRDP Kalihati called Dhamunda VC meeting at 8 p.m. The VC members were telling us they were preoccupied in their individual work during daytime. Main point that we motivated the VC members was that some other VCs in the locality have been receiving NBD services free of cost to the great benefit of them, for example, a SAAO may give them information on new boro rice seeds and deep-placing of pellet fertilizers to increasing yield while reducing cost. After hours-long discussions between the two parties, to our delight, the Dhamunda VC has decided to hold the next meeting during daytime in the presence of NBD workers. We have to realize that some VCs are dormant not necessarily because they are too busy or lazy to meet but because they are not convinced of the benefit they may obtain through interacting with NBDs. We must tell them clearly what benefit they are entitled to enjoy through the UCC-NBD-VC linkage.
Arsenic Test Assures Safe Tubewell Water for Ghunipara Villagers
Villagers of Ghunipara, Birbashinda union were relieved from anxiety of possible arsenic contamination of their tubewell water after arsenic testing was conducted by Md. Shafiqul Alam, Mechanic of Department of Public Health Engineering on 6 December 2006. Of the 12 tubewells tested, 10 were arsenic free, and the remaining two contained arsenic but below danger level. The mechanic was called in by the request of VC, which was motivated by collective voice of Mohila Dal (MD). Women are more aware of the need of safe drinking water for their family.
"Village Chicken Doctor" Born
Responding to the request of villagers of Mirhamjani in Salla union, Mrs. Seauly Begum, Secretary of Notun Analiabari Mohila Dal (MD) has got 116 chickens vaccinated with Ranikhat-type vaccine. She has also been requested to attend VCM of her village to popularize her services. She had attended a short training session of chicken vaccination given by Livestock Department of Kalihati under PRDP-2 arrangement. She is now confident in her new role as a "village chicken doctor" in her village and around.
Notice Boards in Kalihati
PRDP considers Notice Boards one of the most important media for disseminating information on development in our VC villages. While the old four unions have a total 106 NBs in strategic points in Bangra (30), Narandia (19), Salla (30), and Shahadebpur (30), seven new unions are catching them up and at present running at a total 76 including Birbashinda (15), Durgapur (10), Elenga (17), Kokdahara (2), Nagbari (21) and Paikora (11). Notices that are being put up there include UCCM resolution, NBDs' campaign posters such as EPI and other activities, training schedules, and our Link Model barta (news), etc. We are planning to put up more colorful, more visual and more attractive notices, rather than the present "literal" notes.
Steps to Ensure NBDs Attendance in VC/MD & UCC: An Outcome from Last Staff Q-Meeting
Last staff Quarterly Meeting held on 25 November produced a set of Union-based slogans and immediate action plans to improved PRDP-2 activities (as reported in November bulletin). For an example, Birbashinda union in Kalihati identified "enhancement of NBDs attendance in VC/MD & UCC" as the most pressing need, and through a brain-storming came up with the following 6-step immediate action plans for the second quarter of fiscal 2006:
1. VC/MD members will be made more aware of different NBD programs through more intensive discussions with UDO/O.
2. Department-based information on NBD activities will be collected by Kalihati PRDP office and the written information on them will be provided to VC/MD and on Notice Boards.
3. Interpersonal relations (IPR) between NBD workers and UDO/O will be strengthened.
4. Repeat the step-1 and 2 continuously.
5. To make different stakeholders of rural development come much closer together, let us celebrate the Victory Day of 16 December jointly as a UCC event of "common interest".
6. Prepare local-level training schedule to involve resource-poor
The villagers of Durgapur Union observed the Victory Day (16 December 2006) for the first time after 35 years of independence of Bangladesh. The program was organized by Durgapur UCC (Union Coordination Committee) under the auspices of Durgapur Union Parishad (Md. Hazrat Ali, Chairman) with supportive assistance of NBDs, NGOs, Village Committees, school teachers and the villagers in common. PRDP-2 supported the program, for the first time, as an event-based activity of "common interest" to mobilize the villagers.
As many as 20 women bought sewing machines and some of them started small tailoring and dress-making businesses at their villages. This is far-more-than expected outcome from the four-month sewing training conducted in Bangra union since March 2006, from which 34 village women successfully graduated (as reported in June, October and November 2006 issues). These petty entrepreneurs are now earning trust of fellow villagers for their high skills, timely delivery with relatively cheap charge. We are told that they have more customers week after week. Some of them are giving fellow MD (Mohila Dal) members primary sewing training, too. We hope they will stand on their own feet someday and earn improved social status in the villages owing to their confidence obtained through the training course.
One day in December 2006, as a part of awakening campaign of sleeping VCs, PRDP Kalihati called Dhamunda VC meeting at 8 p.m. The VC members were telling us they were preoccupied in their individual work during daytime. Main point that we motivated the VC members was that some other VCs in the locality have been receiving NBD services free of cost to the great benefit of them, for example, a SAAO may give them information on new boro rice seeds and deep-placing of pellet fertilizers to increasing yield while reducing cost. After hours-long discussions between the two parties, to our delight, the Dhamunda VC has decided to hold the next meeting during daytime in the presence of NBD workers. We have to realize that some VCs are dormant not necessarily because they are too busy or lazy to meet but because they are not convinced of the benefit they may obtain through interacting with NBDs. We must tell them clearly what benefit they are entitled to enjoy through the UCC-NBD-VC linkage.
Villagers of Ghunipara, Birbashinda union were relieved from anxiety of possible arsenic contamination of their tubewell water after arsenic testing was conducted by Md. Shafiqul Alam, Mechanic of Department of Public Health Engineering on 6 December 2006. Of the 12 tubewells tested, 10 were arsenic free, and the remaining two contained arsenic but below danger level. The mechanic was called in by the request of VC, which was motivated by collective voice of Mohila Dal (MD). Women are more aware of the need of safe drinking water for their family.
Responding to the request of villagers of Mirhamjani in Salla union, Mrs. Seauly Begum, Secretary of Notun Analiabari Mohila Dal (MD) has got 116 chickens vaccinated with Ranikhat-type vaccine. She has also been requested to attend VCM of her village to popularize her services. She had attended a short training session of chicken vaccination given by Livestock Department of Kalihati under PRDP-2 arrangement. She is now confident in her new role as a "village chicken doctor" in her village and around.
PRDP considers Notice Boards one of the most important media for disseminating information on development in our VC villages. While the old four unions have a total 106 NBs in strategic points in Bangra (30), Narandia (19), Salla (30), and Shahadebpur (30), seven new unions are catching them up and at present running at a total 76 including Birbashinda (15), Durgapur (10), Elenga (17), Kokdahara (2), Nagbari (21) and Paikora (11). Notices that are being put up there include UCCM resolution, NBDs' campaign posters such as EPI and other activities, training schedules, and our Link Model barta (news), etc. We are planning to put up more colorful, more visual and more attractive notices, rather than the present "literal" notes. 
