Ponchomi's story - building for safety

Ponchomi previously lived in a mud house. It was a one-room dwelling with thick walls made of a simple mixture of earth and water. Monsoon rains and floods eroded her home, so she had to constantly repair it. She often checked for snakes which like to burrow in the warm earth – a neighbour had died from such a bite. Her outbuilding was barely standing; the bamboo having rotted from rising damp and termite attack.

She dreamed of a house where she could feel safe with her children, a building that would withstand the elements. As a day labourer, her husband didn’t earn enough money to buy the bricks they needed, so they were about to borrow money from a loan shark.

Ponchomi heard about our ‘build for safety’ workshops, which offered an alternative and joined the training. We returned to see what difference it has made. Her family now live in a secure bamboo-frame house. The posts are raised above the damp earth on kaatla (pad foundations), the material is treated to resist termites, cross bracing reinforces the structure and stops it from twisting during storms and seismic activity, the corrugated iron sheet roof is securely tied back into the structure and steel bolts strengthen the primary building joints.

“My house is much stronger now. It will last longer. These are small improvements but they make a big difference.”

— Ponchomi

She invited us in for tea and proudly showed us all the improvements they’ve made. They only borrowed a small sum, and they’ve already paid it back. She’s now dreaming of an extension; a second room for when her children grow up. She feels confident she’ll again be able to use the techniques she learned.

Ponchomi is happy to share her skills. She’s now an advocate in her village for what can be achieved with bamboo, which is often seen as a ‘poor man’s’ material.

Help us train more women to build for safety in Bangladesh. Donate to our training programme.

Visit our project page for more information.

Author: J. Ashbridge

We want to give more women like Tahira the opportunity to thrive

If there's one thing that 2021 taught us it's that we're all connected, and we must work together to build a fairer world. Here's to another year of impact.

This week we caught up with Tahira* who attended our construction training a couple of months ago. She rents a one room house with her husband and young son in a rural village in Dinajpur.

“The house was built quickly, and damages easily. We’re constantly repairing it. We want to make improvements and extend in future. We’ll need another room for my son when he’s older... I heard about the training and wanted to learn.”

— Tahira

Their house is built with a basic bamboo frame, corrugated iron sheet walls and roof. Tahira dreams of a house that will last longer, and can withstand the storms that happen more and more regularly in her area. The thin walls mean it gets unbearably hot in summer, and incredibly cold in winter, and during the monsoon the earth floor needs ongoing maintenance.

“I remember the phrase ‘spend a little more and make your house stronger’. We are saving to do it... I learnt so much. This year we’ll focus on strong posts and frame, and hopefully upgrade the earth floor too. Then we’ll build another room. It will take 3 years I think. I want to join the next training and practice the techniques.”

In 2022 we're expanding our build for safety programme to offer additional hands-on training, and practical support during construction. We'll be checking back in with Tahira and her family as they build improvements to their home.

Inspired to be part of AzuKo's mission to end housing poverty, and support more women like Tahira? A regular monthly gift of £20 will help build dignified homes. And most importantly, will enable communities to do it for themselves.

We're excited for all that 2022 holds, and hope you are too. We'll be sharing more stories with you over the coming months, to show just how far your support goes.

Author: J. Ashbridge

(*name changed)

More than just a shirt

Around the world, football is known for bringing communities together and in Bangladesh it’s no different. We’ve been working with KitAid and Charity Boots to distribute kit and clothes across Sundarban Union. With help from CareTech Foundation, they were transported 4,798 miles from the UK to Bangladesh.

Included in the shipment were new items, such as end of line kits from Puma, high-quality recycled items from football clubs across the UK and a range of clothes for children and adults. Most of these would have been thrown away, discarded to landfill at the end of a playing season because they’ve been outgrown, are not the latest trend or due to over-production. Football shirts displaying the name ‘Sinnott’ were also included. These were specially made by football clubs around the world in tribute to professional football player Jordan Sinnott, who was tragically murdered in 2020. Once the parcels reached the village, they were distributed to two local teams, Bandhu Sports and Lal Sobuj Tarun Jubo Songho, JAAGO primary school and residents across Sundarban.

We have worked in the region for almost ten years, aiming to improve living conditions. The last two years have been incredibly challenging for communities here with national lockdowns resulting in extreme food shortages, violence between police and communities, and a serious impact on mental health.

Due to COVID-19 local sports teams have been unable to play. However, with restrictions easing and the new kits on the way, we organised a friendly football match. Both Bandhu Sports and Lal Sobuj Tarun Jubo Songho are extremely passionate about football. They train 3-4 times a week on a simple grass pitch and play in competitions against neighbouring communities. Before the donation, they played barefoot and without a team strip.

“It’s very exciting for us, we have everything now. We’ve never played with boots before.”

— Md Shahinur (player)

On 3 December the local community came out to support. There was a band, food stalls, medals and a trophy for the winning team, Bandhu Sports, who scored two spectacular goals. The football match was not only an opportunity for the teams to try out their new kit, but it also brought the community back together.

Kit was also provided to JAAGO, a nonprofit primary school which provides education for disadvantaged children.

“It’s a great gift for our school and much needed. It will encourage students to come to school and play. We will use the kit to show we are a proper team. Thank you so much.”

— Ujjol (Project Manager, JAAGO Dinajpur Primary School)

The students were incredibly excited to receive their new strips and immediately put them to good use during playtime. The remaining clothing was distributed to those in greatest need across the Union with individuals nominated to receive support by the community.

““This has been a very difficult time, no money, many people have no job. We’re hoping everything is getting better… Normally people in the city have these types of clothes and shoes. I feel proud to wear it.” ”

— Chandra (resident)

It’s more than just a shirt – it builds a sense of pride and self-worth. We’re so pleased to make it happen.

Author: C. Taylor