"Development rests on cooperation", Union Parishad Chairman Md. Chad Ali Mia of Kutubpur union expresses his feeling about his UP's participation in VC schemes. This was the reasoning for Mr. Mia's having decided his UP's 10% cost-sharing of VC schemes. He says "this is one kind of golden opportunity for village development, because the scheme can bring about 100% benefit with the 10% investment. I like to suggest every Union Parishad gets advantage of this opportunity."
In his view, PRDP's VC scheme has hit a good point where government services had never reached, that is bottom-up planned and self-implemented micro-infrastructure building at village level. By joining PRDP activities villagers are not only getting benefit but also directly participating in the process of their own development, and finally developing their future. He is also very frank to say "my motivating fellow villagers to work in PRDP also gives me benefit because they may again vote me to chairmanship at the next election."
Answering the question of "future of PRDP", he says "it is easily recognizable if you compare our village with other villages where PRDP is not working. It is also apparent if you compare our past scenario with the present one. So I believe every village should come under PRDP project".
Five VC Schemes Implemented in January-March Term (Kalihati)
January-March term saw five VC schemes implemented as indicated in the table below. They were all para road repair. Villagers participated in the respective schemes contributing 20% cost either in cash or in labour, but UP's 10% share of the cost is yet to be realized.
New UDOs and Os Join
Two new UDOs and two more new Organizers were posted at the respective unions as from March 1 after successfully completing on-the-job training (OJT) at Kalihati. Md. Taufiq Hasan Jubery and Mrs. Nasrin Akter joined in Balla union in Kalihati upazila as UDO and Organizer, respectively. Md. Thowhidul Islam was assigned at Durgapur union in Kalihati as a UDO. Kutubpur union under Meherpur Sadar upazila had Md. Anower Hossain as an Organizer.
Seven New Village Committees (VCs) Formed in February & march (Kalihati)
Seven new VCs were formulated in last February and March as indicated in the table below.
Upon receiving request from any villages to help them formulate VCs, PRDP sends a group of UDO/O/RS/RA for a simple general village survey. Family members of every household are recorded, and village/para matabbors and other leading personalities are also identified. A simple map may be drawn showing households, gustis and paras, etc. In this survey, the group explains and motivates whomever met in the village, particularly village leaders, about the concept and usefulness of the Link Model.
A VC is formulated at a village general meeting where a quorum of minimum 60% household heads (including men and women) is required. VC members are selected there by "proposal and seconding" which is practiced traditionally in the villages. Villagers are advised to select their representatives on the basis of para (or gusti in case of small villages) approximately in proportion to the respective number of households. VC executives such as chairman, vice chairman, secretary and vice secretary are selected mutually among the VC members.
JICA Officer's Focus about PRDP-2
Last September I came to Bangladesh on a program of overseas on-the-job training for new JICA recruits, which is meant for getting them familiarized with project fields. I joined PRDP-2 for two months from February mainly at Kalihati project site..
At first sight, I was very impressed by their high working morale. Newly appointed UDOs/Os were motivated to operate this new project and were well supported by all including URDO, ARDO, instructors and research support staff of JICA. Attending a number of UCCM, VCM and MBM, I witnessed high calibre of villagers in handling the meetings, and the "link" between village and staff sides was improving gradually. In addition to these regular meetings, I have had chances of visiting villages on the occasions of festivals, celebrations, feasts and so on. I have learned a lot from them, particularly charming way of life and hospitable culture. I hope that they will get a better tomorrow through our project, Link Model. I thank everyone in PRDP-2, especially JOCVs who supported my work in the field. I think I will try to keep watching PRDP progress and look forward to hearing good news at whatever post and place I may be assigned in JICA system.
Two JOCVs Leave
I was given an opportunity to serve for Salla union for two and four months. During this period, I devoted myself to work for woman through activities of Woman Groups, so-called "Mohila Boithok". Implementing sanitation schemes, conducting trainings and workshops were just tools I used for woman to become aware how much they could do by their own will and initiative. I do hope I did something to let them notice their possibilities. I would like to appreciate all who cooperated with me. Nothing could have been done by me alone.
My two-year term just went so quickly. It was fortunate for me to have had a chance of living in a house in Jagatpur union. By living and working together with villagers, I think I could share the same feeling with them and have become tolerant to whatever happened in the local society. Conducting VC schemes, mainly road construction, with VC members was the most precious experience. I wish my successor will share my feeling and make his contribution to the good of the villagers. Thank you very much.
"Development rests on cooperation", Union Parishad Chairman Md. Chad Ali Mia of Kutubpur union expresses his feeling about his UP's participation in VC schemes. This was the reasoning for Mr. Mia's having decided his UP's 10% cost-sharing of VC schemes. He says "this is one kind of golden opportunity for village development, because the scheme can bring about 100% benefit with the 10% investment. I like to suggest every Union Parishad gets advantage of this opportunity."
Seven new VCs were formulated in last February and March as indicated in the table below. 
I was given an opportunity to serve for Salla union for two and four months. During this period, I devoted myself to work for woman through activities of Woman Groups, so-called "Mohila Boithok". Implementing sanitation schemes, conducting trainings and workshops were just tools I used for woman to become aware how much they could do by their own will and initiative. I do hope I did something to let them notice their possibilities. I would like to appreciate all who cooperated with me. Nothing could have been done by me alone.
My two-year term just went so quickly. It was fortunate for me to have had a chance of living in a house in Jagatpur union. By living and working together with villagers, I think I could share the same feeling with them and have become tolerant to whatever happened in the local society. Conducting VC schemes, mainly road construction, with VC members was the most precious experience. I wish my successor will share my feeling and make his contribution to the good of the villagers. Thank you very much.
