OBAT

HELPERS

INC.

OBAT’s MICROFINANCE PROGRAM

Clearing the way for a brighter

future

Who are we ?

OBAT Helpers is a US based tax-exempt, non-profit organization registered as a non-religious and non-political organization.

Mission

Our mission is to work for the welfare, support and

rehabilitation of indigent, stateless and displaced

people. The primary focus is to alleviate the suffering

of thousands of stateless people stranded in refugee

camps in Bangladesh. Our goal is to provide them with

better living conditions, education and economic

empowerment.

Three Stateless Generations Commonly known as the stranded Pakistanis or Biharis.

Living in displacement camps in Bangladesh since 1971. In many cases the 3rd generation, is now living in camps.

Unimaginable suffering poverty, starvation and disease afflict them.

Their history goes back to the partition of India in 1947. Most

migrated from the Indian state of Bihar to East Pakistan (present

day Bangladesh) during the partition of India in 1947.

During the 1971 civil war that led to the creation of Bangladesh,

given the desperate law & order situation and their disputed

legal status, these people were accommodated in 66 temporary

camps across the country. Unfortunately their third generation

still lives in these same camps.

What brought them here?

The Forgotten People

Currently, about 350,000 people live in 66 refugee camps in 13 different cities around Bangladesh.

These Refugees have been living in squalor for the past 40 years.

All 66 camps are vastly overcrowded, leading to a demographic nightmare and a host of problems.

In some cases, a family of 10 - 12 live in a single 8’x10’ room.

On average, there is one bathroom for 100 - 110 people.

Education & Training

Self-Empowermen

t

Health & Sanitation

Current Projects

Construction of community bathrooms and drainage systems

Disaster relief projects during floods or storms

Construction of tube wells to provide clean water

Distribution of zakat in camp residents

Distribution of meat at Eid-ul-Adha

Community water project

Current Projects

What’s been done so far…

Two health clinics and one mobile clinic operated by OBAT have treated about 6,700 people for common ailments.

More than 2,500 students are enrolled in OBAT’s seven schools, twenty preschools, ten non-formal education centers, three tutoring centers and two computer training centers.

OBAT’s self-empowerment program has lifted more than 1600 families almost 9,000 people out of poverty by helping them attain financial independence.

In 2011, OBAT launched the REHMA initiative in Indianapolis whichis a partnering venture with Sense Charter School and Second Helpings to increase literacy and dissipate hunger in its hometown.

38%

30%20%

8%4% Education ProgramSelf EmpowermentCharity Program Health Related ServicesCommunity Development

Allocation of Funds by Projects

Why does OBAT propagate self-empowerment....

“Give a man a fish and you will feed him for a day, teach a man how to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” Chinese Proverb.

Microfinance- Program objectives

Improve socio-economic conditions of camp dwellers

Provide skills based training to women

Develop an orgn for poor women to increase their quality of life and their awareness about health and sanitation.

Micro lending; Micro insurance and Micro savings.

Project facts OBAT operates through ISDCM in

Bangladesh Loan cycle is 12 months Loan installment paid every week Loan recovery rate is about 99.3% No collateral Exemptions for loan default Mostly women members 10% service charge Medical service provision at 50% cost Businesses: Driving a rickshaw,

manufacturing of incense sticks; grocery shops; ice cream vans; handicrafts; stationary and clothing; renting dvds; selling food, and cosmetics etc.

Non formal education program.

Survey -> Member selection

Weekly training meetings for 2-3 mths before loan is disbursed.

Savings begin early! 14 cents a week.

Members choose business. Application for loan is filed.

Loan is given to individuals within groups of 20.

Insurance of .07 cents per thousand dollars needs to be paid.

Members maintain passbooks; checked by CO and group leader at every meeting.. Evaluation and mthly training continues.

Loan Process

Progress in numbers….

Criteria/Year

2006 2011

Members 105 1581

Outstanding loans

$ 5,313 $205,326

Member Savings

$116.25 $30,810

Use of health care facilities

34.7% 98%

Sanitation 51.1% 81.7%

School Attendance

77.6% 90%

• Savings increase for an avg member: 102%

• Increase in assets/wealth of members: 76%

• Loan recovery rate: Almost 100%

Empowered women: Financially independent & Increased Self-esteem & respect

Team work is fostered Members pursue business of their choiceHabit of savings is instilled.Improved family life- some women were subject to

domestic abuse.Increased awareness on health and hygiene among

the women, from the training programsChildren can attend school instead of helping

parents earn a living.Motivation to control and improve their own life.

The Impact

Barely older than a toddler, Kajol learns the trade she will have to do to help support her family for the rest of her life.

Little Kajol makes sticks of incense, so she can earn a total of $1.50 for weeks of nonstop, backbreaking, finger-numbing work.

The Impact

Kajol’s father now drives a rickshaw to support his family.

The Impact

How can YOU help?

LIK

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S!

FO

LL

OW

U

S!

WA

TC

H U

S!

•Adopt an educational project•Fund college scholarships•Support or sponsor our health clinics•Extend your support to the self-empowerment program•Fund camp improvement and development projects such as construction of tube-wells and community bathrooms•Hold fundraisers at your work place, school, or place of worship•Volunteer by sharing your skills with us like writing, video making, marketing, designing, accounting, etc.•Contact your local politicians and favorite celebrities to bring awareness to our cause!

“These millions of small people with their millions of small pursuits can add up to create the biggest development wonder." Professor Muhammad Younus.”

 

Thank you for visiting, TMI!

Questions & Discussion

Website: www.obathelpers.orgEmail: contact@obathelpers.orgPhone: 317.203.0603

Twitter: @OBATHelpers Youtube: obat06 Facebook: Obat.Helpers