News
Merseyside Embroiderers Guild Endeavour Exhibition (September 22-29)
This weekend, Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral opened its doors to showcase the Merseyside Embroiderers Guild Endeavour Exhibition.
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.
Happiness is a Full Tummy
Everyday on the grounds of the CMC (Child and Mother Care) our Baby-House's children have their lunch under the big water tank.
Prior to coming to The Sreepur Village, these mothers were not able to afford food to feed their babies so, everyday at lunchtime is a happy moment for both mother and child.
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.”
Victory Day 2017
Last Saturday, the nation celebrated the 47th Victory Day, paying homage to three million victims and freedom fighters of the Liberation War. The Sreepur Village, Bangladesh, also celebrated this memorable day and in the morning the National flag was proudly waiving high above the school building.
10th December 2017 - World Human Rights Day
“Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home -- so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world” Eleanor Roosevelt (The Chair of the drafting committee of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights).
Today, the world will be observing Human Rights Day, and if you follow The Sreepur Village, you will see how we wholly support this declaration.
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.
Support for Rohingya Refugees
Over 800,000 Rohingya refugees are now living in the southern most districts of Bangladesh. Since the end of August over 600,000 people have crossed the border, having fled the violence in Myanmar. The majority of the new arrivals live in crowded makeshift settlements and there are no words to describe their sufferings, particularly the conditions of the women and children. In such a humanitarian crisis, we all need to help.
At the beginning of October, the Sreepur Village team, led by Pat, visited the Rohingya refugee camps and decided to produce sanitary products for the women and nappies for the babies. According to Pat, these products are essential to the women and children as they face the harsh reality of life in the makeshift settlements. With the help of the Sreepur women and children, we were able to produce 4700 sanitary towels and 1600 nappies.
Adoption Awareness Month
November is being observed as adoption awareness month. The purpose is to raise awareness and to put the limelight on adoption as a means of building families for children. Throughout the world, every child deserves to be part of a family, however, this is not always the case. This month will not only be raising awareness, but it will also be focusing on the ways adoption touches our lives and how we can make a better life for every child.
The Sreepur Village Clinic
The Sreepur Village Clinic plays a vital role in each and every beneficiary’s health. The clinic, open 24/7, works hard in assessing and treating the many health problems that arise. Mothers and children, upon admission to the village, go to the clinic for routine health checks and whether their symptoms are minor or major the care, that the clinic delivers, is second-to-none.
World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day, a day for global mental health, knowledge and advocacy was, last week, noted worldwide but really it is something that we should be recognising every single day.
International Day of the Girl: The Story of Confidence
We at The Sreepur Village are proud to share with you a story of confidence and determination. Empowering women and children so they feel confident and equal in society is key to every single girl child, and the story of Setu shows that with love, encouragement, support and education, dreams can come true.
The Rohingya Crisis Continues - Story of Two Women
“Please give us something for our children”, pleaded Yasmin, 25 and Farida, 15, in their broken voices - they couldn’t say any more than this.
Later, Farida narrated her horrific experience. Her father was slaughtered and her husband was gunned down by the Myanmar army right in front of her face. The same thing happened to Yasmin’s family. Both women, along with their children, fled from the spot with the sole aim to cross the border and reach a safer place.
The Rohingya Crisis - Day Three
This morning we had a very early breakfast then drove to Shah Pori Diip, which is where the refugees come after they arrive in Bangladesh. Most of them have to barter jewellery for the fare or borrow money to pay to get to the mainland. It is tragic to see families with many young children, and all their belongings in just a few rice sacks. One young girl was so traumatised she couldn't speak or communicate in any way.
The Rohingya Crisis - Day Two
When we left yesterday the large mud field in front of the camp was virtually empty. Today it was packed as 20,000 more refugees had arrived overnight. The army personnel had worked well in-to-the night and a baby had been born in the very early hours, both mother and child had to be sent to Teknaf hospital.
Halfway House
Every year, in three phases, our mothers move to the halfway house which is one step closer to them being totally independently. They stay in the half-way house for three months and then The Sreepur Village rehabilitation team start the final processes of discharging them. This autumn, on October 8, some of our mothers will move to the half-way house. If you wander around The Sreepur Village, you can easily recognise which ones are moving on as they are armed with bundles of firewood, collecting as much as possible in preparation for cooking for themselves. The mothers are also currently completing their final training in tailoring, which covers all aspects from skills to business acumen. We recruit our mothers in such schemes so that they can earn a livelihood immediately after leaving The Sreepur Village.
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.
Life at Sreepur: Monira and Konika
"One year later, after my daughter has grown up, I plan to master the art of tailoring and candle making, schemes which are taught here in #TheSreepurVillage. There is a candle making factory in my local area where I can work and earn some cash. Then I would love to open a small tailoring shop. So, that’s the plan for now, but most importantly I do not want to be a burden to anyone.”
Swimming in Sreepur
Every day at three o’clock, Sumi, a seven-year–old girl of Sreepur Village, rushes home from school eagerly wanting to visit the village pond. Keen to get there, when the actual time comes to dip her toes into the welcoming waters, Sumi doesn’t want to enter. When she finally gets in, she makes sure not to let go of her swimming instructor’s hand. Every day Mousumi and her friends Rimon, Sajal and Rani all have similar experiences which, seen from afar, provoke a number of emotions.
