News

Ignorance and wrong beliefs surrounding disability, compounded with a negative and derogatory attitude of the community (including family members) have contributed to the marginal development in the disability sector in Bangladesh.

“We can change the world by our kindness. Kindness Begins with me.” Anik

Why pick The Sreepur Village as your chosen charity?

September 5 was International Day of Charity, and The Sreepur Village marked the day by asking one of its newest supporters why she supported The Sreepur Village. Sandra has, in the past, supported a number of charities like Breast Cancer, The Red Cross and Children in Need. She told us that, smaller charities like The Sreepur Village often get overseen. Sandra was particularly taken with a story she had read on Facebook which highlighted the importance of swimming lessons for children as the number of deaths from drowning in Bangladesh is staggering and she also told us that she was amazed that we were the only charity in Bangladesh to keep mothers with their children.

The 15th August is a significant day in Bangladesh as it is also National Mourning Day. In the Sreepur Village, the day's activities commenced with the students performing poetry and then gifts were distributed amongst all the children.

On Monday the #SwimSafe schemes commenced once again in The Sreepur Village. They are run by a team from the CIPRB (Centre for Injury Prevention and Research, Bangladesh) who, along with assistance from the British RNLI, have devised learn to swim schemes that are run in both rural and urban areas in Bangladesh

We are delighted to share with you photos of The Sreepur Village's newly opened beauty Salon.

Trisha, our Chair of Trustees, travelled from the UK to unveil the new salon.

This week in the UK its #DrowningPreventionWeek and in Bangladesh right now its the rainy season which means hundreds of families, in flood-stricken areas, will lose their homes but most importantly their lives. 

As today marks the start of Volunteers Week, this is not just an opportunity for us to thank all of our volunteers but it is also a chance for us to share with you some of the stories of how our volunteers have got involved and helped The Sreepur Village charity.

Dorothy has supported The Sreepur Village, Bangladesh almost from it' s inception. As a British Airways long haul stewardess she was aware of Pat Kerr’s vision for a new village where mothers and children could live together and babies could not be taken away from their mothers to go into an orphanage, which would leave both parties damaged.

The holy month of Ramadan started a week ago in Bangladesh which witnesses, for one month, devout Muslims observing, dawn-to-dusk, a fast for self-purification and divine blessings. The scenery of Ramadan in Sreepur Village is distinguished. The mothers and children are dedicated to their fasting and while the mothers training hour has changed a little due to prayer, everyone still attends all the regular activities.

At regular intervals, and for three months, a group (12-15) of our mothers and their families move to a pre-rehabilitation centre, known as the half-way house as a reintegration step into the community. Earlier this month, 15 mothers went to the half-way house and the local community. They began their lives in a new and independent way.

The mothers are also currently completing their training in sewing, garment training, small business shop and bamboo weaving and various other training schemes. We recruit our mothers in such training schemes so that they can earn a livelihood immediately after leaving The Sreepur Village and completing their three-month period in the rehabilitation centre

As part of #FosterFortnight, The Sreepur Village is a mother and child-focused organisation, in which every activity that is carried out is for the development of the 500 children and 200 mothers. At The Sreepur Village, whilst the vast majority of children have mothers, some have been abandoned or come from a life of trafficking.

Childhood is a period where parents are essential firstly, for the child’s survival and existence and then later for their full physical and mental growth. Emotionally, a child needs love and affection and the feeling and knowing that they are wanted and accepted in the family and community where they can have some sense of security and continuity.

As part of #NationalVegetarianWeek we are delighted to share with you one of Tommy Miah's fantastic vegetarian recipes.

Not only is Tommy Miah a Bangladeshi-born British chef and owner of the Raj restaurant in Edinburgh but he is also ambassador of The Sreepur Village charity.