Allow us to introduce our objectives, our ongoing programmes, and our accomplishments.

The Dhaka Project was founded by Maria Conceicao, an Emirates Airlines flight attendant, who on her first trip to Bangladesh, was moved by the extreme poverty in Dhaka.

Our objective is to bring new sources of income to some of the poorest people of Bangladesh. The emphasis is placed on supporting sustainable development, particularly with children. Our goal is to use local resources where ever possible to support local economy and work longevity.

How do you help the social and intellectual development of some of the poorest Bangladeshi population? At The Dhaka Project, we are currently focusing on three key attributes:

Children’s Education Development Programme

The children are selected from low productivity – low-income families living
in slum areas. The programme caters to children aged 4 and above and provides them with education along with daily basic needs such as food, school uniforms, books, stationery material, raincoats, shoes, socks and toiletries. A Computer Learning Center, library and sport and recreational activities are available

Women’s Skills Development Programme

The women’s programme involves training in English language, tailoring, beautician skills, and fabrication of handicrafts. The ladies are also provided with daily meals, stipend salary and raw materials. Courses last between six months to one year and on completion of training, efforts are being made
to place the women in jobs of their specialization.

In order to help the women focus on learning their skills effectively and in
a timely manner, a pre-school/day care facility is offered to all the participants’ children.

Men’s Skills Development Programme

The men are admitted in a driving school and undertake English language classes. In addition, the project has a small fleet of Rickshaws, which the men may rent out to earn supplementary earnings, welding and carpenter workshops are available.

In order to do these activities and to support suitable employability: hygiene, medical and welfare needs are critical. With this in mind, basic homes are provided with clothes and food. In addition, medical and dental center is available. W hen needed The Dhaka Project provides funds to poor families for essential medications.

Accomplishments:

Since envisioning the project in April 2005, we have accomplished quite a bit. As of March 10 th 2007, here are some examples:

44 families have made the successful transition from the slums of
Dhaka into stable housing.

A school has been setup and 145 children (aged 4 and above) are
attending. We also fully support 491 children who are attending in
local education.

The same school is utilized for adults to teach basic reading & writing
English courses as well as general knowledge, hygiene, family planning
and etiquette classes in evenings.

A day care center and pre-school has been setup and has 50 young children attending.

All our children have been vaccinated against Hepatitis, Polio
and Typhoid.

A sewing/handcrafts training center has been set up and successfully trained 80 women.

As a contribution to the community we placed 50 rubbish bins and 3 water
pumps in our local area. This will keep the environment of our kids clean
and hygienic.

To make The Dhaka Project independent and self sustaining we
established an internet café, grocery store, and clothing store.