News
English Language Day
English Language Day is celebrated each year on April 23 – both William Shakespeare’s birthday and the date he died. Shakespeare has been called the greatest writer in the English language. A worthy number of people consider English as the unofficial “world language” because it is so widely used. English is the main language of business and communication so the learning of English is not only essential but also very significant.
The Preparations of Pohela Boishakh have begun...
As Pohela Boishakh (Bengali New Year) approaches this weekend preparations are well under way at The Sreepur Village. It is here once more, that charming time of the year when the age-old Bengali spirit of festivity is renewed to welcome the Bengali New Year. Pohela Boishakh is practically around the corner and there are arrangements a plenty to praise this celebration.
Candle Making by A Mother of The Sreepur Village
Earlier in 2017, The Sreepur Village began a ‘Candle Making’ training programme for the mothers, to help empower them as entrepreneurs. A small business idea, such as this, helps the mothers to support their families as they can make candles in their free time and earn an additional income, a driving force that never existed before.
My Trip to Bangladesh, by Emma our UK Fundraiser
I oversee fundraising in the UK for The Sreepur Village so before my trip I was feeling fairly confident of what to expect and see in the heart of Bangladesh or so I thought I did. What I didn’t expect to see was over 700 smiling faces, children content to play with just a leaf and mothers willing to do the smallest of jobs so that they could have the biggest results, like feed their families.
The Sreepur Village Celebrates the 48th Independence Day
On Sunday, The Sreepur Village, celebrated the 48th Independence Day by participating in different programmes organised by the Sreepur Village School.
As a first phase of the programme, the children of the Sreepur Village School celebrated the free spirit of the Bangladeshi Independence day with great fervour and joy. In excited anticipation, they gathered in the school grounds for an assembly while the national flag was hoisted by Pat and Imran (our two directors) and the melody of the national anthem of Bangladesh played in the background.
International Women's Day at The Sreepur Village
In celebration of International Women’s Day 2018, the mothers’ association of the Sreepur Village arranged a cultural programme and led a discussion which focussed on this year’s theme of #PressforProgress. It was an opportunity for the Sreepur mothers to celebrate womanhood in all its form and during the two-hour long discussion, the mothers primarily discussed the importance of self-reliance, training and development, they also thanked The Sreepur Village for supporting them and their children.
World Book Day
Today is World Book Day and The Sreepur Village would like to take this opportunity to share with you the story of Alo, a 45-year-old mother of four children and whose name means light.
Alo, real name Sobeda Begum, lost her husband 12 years ago just before the birth of her youngest son. Her husband was an agriculture labourer and the only earner of the family and one day he never returned home. Due to Alo’s early marriage she never had the opportunity to go to school.
Rare Disease Day
As today is Rare Disease Day we would like to share with you the story of Surzo (meaning sun in English), a boy whose left leg was infected by a rare bone infection called Osteomyelitis.
Surzo, whose real name is in fact Nahid, was only 12 years old when he fell from a high brick stake whilst playing with friends. After 3-4 days he got a very high fever and became unconscious. Immediately, Surzo was taken to The Sreepur Village Health Clinic but due to his high fever and unconsciousness and the concerns of The Sreepur Clinic, he was taken to a nearby NGO clinic named Public Health Centre (well known as Gonosyastho Kendra (GK). The GK clinic also failed to identify the reasons for Surzo's condition. After thorough consultation between The Sreepur Village and the GK Clinic staff, Surzo was immediately sent to a government hospital in Dhaka accompanied by one of The Sreepur Clinic’s trained nurses.
Anchal Programme
Recently, The Sreepur Village initiated a programme for the safeguarding and development of young children - a modified Anchal Programme of Centre for Injury Prevention Research of Bangladesh - CIPRB.
After much research, it was noted that the children were most at risk between 9.00 am and 1.00 pm so, by setting up the Anchal Programme the children, under proper management and supervision, are now able to be kept safe while their mothers or family members attend to other activities. The programme also helps in the early development of children. An Anchal is a centre managed by trained ‘Anchal Ma’ (mothers), the supervisors who provide children with care and the opportunities to play and learn.
International Mother Language - Competition Time
As International Mother Language Day, held annually on February 21, is such a significant event, we would like to share with you, in detail, the activities that The Sreepur Village organised on this most memorable day.
International Mother Language Day
At the crack of dawn, everyone walked bare foot to lay wreaths at the alter of the Shaheed Minar (a memorial monument) and paid their respects to the language martyrs of 1952.
Story Telling Week and The Sreepur Village Library
To mark the end of Story Telling Week we are delighted to share with you some pictures of our new library, currently being updated.
Led by Matthew, our child development specialist, the school teachers have been busy working on modernising The Sreepur Village school library. Last year, we restructured our school and teaching system so that we could improve each-and-every child’s learning experience, and to keep in line with these plans, the library is now being reorganized, painted and most importantly filled with a selection of new book
National Story Telling Week (27th January - 3rd February)
"After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world." Philip Pullman
The Sreepur Village, a UK-based charity, provides a safe haven for over 400 children and 150 mothers in rural Bangladesh. Living alone in fear and not knowing where the next meal is coming from is the start of many a story, and one that all of our beneficiaries have been able to share.
Keeping The Sreepur Children Warm and Cosy
The Sreepur Village is wrapping up the week with a visit from Blankadesh, a remarkable charity which, every winter, distributes fleece blankets to poor children throughout Bangladesh.
The Head Lice Treatment Bangladesh Clinic
“What struck me first is the number of children there, the noise of over 400 of them and the happy smiles as we arrived, they eat together and live in the village receiving food and protection with their mothers. They attend school and get healthy meals. I have to admit the amount they eat is small and the diet is not so varied but they are grateful for every little bit.”
Orange the World – End Violence Against Women and Girls
November 25, was the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls.
One in three women and girls around the world has experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. Currently, The Sreepur Village is working to empower 150 mothers, of which the following are: 23 divorced, 57 abandoned, 30 separated, 5 unmarried, 35 widowed. Out of these 150 women, regardless of their marital status, over 100 have experienced some form of brutal violence in their lifetime.
Garment Training and Mothers Livelihood
The garment industry of Bangladesh has played an important role in economically enriching a large group of poor and vulnerable women. Today, approximately 80% of garment workers are women. So, having this source of income not only helps women to lead a better life but it also provides them with more confidence at home, a social sphere and higher self-esteem. The most important thing is, however, that they can survive and help save their families. The number of women from impoverished northern districts of Bangladesh joining the garments sector are much lower due to lack of awareness of opportunities, risks of relocation, and uncertainty about securing a job quickly.
Celebrating Eid UL Adha in The Sreepur Village
Eid UL Adha, the second most significant Muslim festival, was recently celebrated in The Sreepur Village. A three- day-long programme Eid, in The Sreepur Village, is marked with a number of lively activities such as singing, dancing and games. Every mother and child from the village went to each and every event, in which they sported not only their best attire but lots of enthusiasm too.
Flooding in Bangladesh
The recent flooding in Bangladesh has submerged more than a third of the low-lying area of the country, affecting over 7.5 million inhabitants and killing at least 147 people. Although the overall flood situation in most affected areas has improved, as the flood water comes down the situation is actually becoming worse. In this current state, the flood-hit people are passing their days in misery as most of the farmers have lost their crops, cattle, and fish farms.
National Mourning Day
People from all walks of life of Bangladesh, observed the National Mourning Day today with due respect and solemnity, marking the 42nd death anniversary of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh.
