BESCO - Hilfe für Bangladesch e. V.

Bangladesh

 

Bangladesh became an independent state in 1971. The People's Republic of Bangladesh is  located in South Asia between India and Myanmar (between latitude of 20° 34´ and 27° 34´ as well as longitude of 88° 01´ and 92  41´). It is about 12,000 km away from Germany.

Bangladesh is a beautiful country with abundant vegetation, very friendly people and the home of the royal Bengal tiger. In addition, crocodiles, pythons, monkeys, deer as well as different other species of animals live in the marsh area "Sunderban" (in the south of Bangladesh).

 

 

But Bangladesh is also one of the poorest countries in the world. More than 130 million people live in an area which has the size of approx. 140.000 km². The population has doubled itself within the last 30 years. More than 50% of them suffer from malnutrition. Moreover floods are constant threads. 85% of the people live in rural areas. There is a lack of qualified workers. A basic medical support practically doesn't exist in rural areas. This is problematic particularly for women since many are suppressed and maltreated. Illiterates are about half of the population, with the women it is even 73%.

For further information see also the homepage of the Embassy of Bangladesh.

 

Important facts about Bangladesh

Bangladesh map: BESCO acts mainly in the region Kushtia, about 250 km west of the capital Dhaka.

The Educational System

 

The educational system in Bangladesh is based principally on the British model. It is grouped into primary, secondary, college and university education. The primary school education lasting 4 years is cost-free. After that the pupils can attend a secondary school and qualify for the so-called "O level" 10th class. The best can qualify for the "A level" examination after the 12th class which allows the access to the university. This way is, however, subject to costs.

 

Only few parents can afford to send their children to the secondary schools. Furthermore, in rural areas schools are too far away so that they can hardly be reached. Many can not finish even primary school and must start working to support their parents financially. Since they will, thereby, never qualify for a higher degree, they are forced to take low-paid jobs, if available at all. It's a vicious circle. Due to this fact approx. 15% of the Bengali children have not even the chance to attend a school at all. The cost-free primary education is abandoned by about 25% of the children. The schooldays therefore end for many after the primary school. In addition, the bad equipment of the schools aggravates the education of the children. Materials are often obsolete, the school furnishings are in very bad condition and many schoolhouses stand shortly before the collapse.

 

We from BESCO want to counteract this. We want to break through the vicious circle. We want to help the children in rural areas to help themselves (see Projects).

 

 

The situation of the women

 

The situation of the women in Bangladesh is particularly problematic since many are suppressed and maltreated. Many women live in a vicious circle which already starts with the puberty. Girls are frequently married by their parents early and therefore usually cannot complete the school education since they have to do their domestic and maternal duties now. This contributes to the illiteracy rate of women to almost 73%. Hence they are dependent on their husband in every regard and not able to plan their life themselves. Some women have to suffer a particularly hard fate since they are maltreated by their husbands strongly. Here not only beating, but also some acid burning cases already have happened.

 

From BESCO we have our tasks to help these women (see Projects).

 

 

Basic medical care

 

In the rural areas of Bangladesh miserable conditions exist concerning drinking water supply and sewage system. Too little processed drinking water (partly contaminated with arsenic) and not available sewage systems frequently lead to infections and illnesses. Poverty and malnutrition resulting from it increase the illness risk and promotes spreading. Since there are hardly any practicing doctors or even hospitals in these regions, most sick persons remain untreated. The medical basic support isn't ensured even in few areas where village doctors are available, since most families can not even afford to visit the doctor. The few families, who can at least pay an examination by doctor, seldom have the money also to be able to pay for the medicine.

 

Therefore we have made our task to reduce the sufferings of the people in Bangladesh (see Projects).

 

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