The New Nation - Internet Edition

Wishing the two organisations a hearty Shubho Nabobarsho, the Australian High Commissioner, Douglas Foskett, handed over cheques totalling Taka 13 lakh to the Society for Peoples' Actions in Change and Equity (SPACE) and PARTNER.

The two NGOs are working towards the welfare of the poor and distressed in Bangladesh and the funding was made as part of the High Commission's Direct Aid Programme.

Foskett said he was delighted to start this Bengali New year by extending Australia's support to those who need it and hoped it would contribute to a better and brighter year ahead for the beneficiaries.

In Manikgonj district, SPACE will build 60 EcoSan toilets, part of an innovative sanitation system that is sustainable, cost effective, and environment friendly. EcoSan toilets can also be used to produce organic fertilizers. SPACE will provide the owners of the installed toilets training on proper utilization, maintenance, and management of ecological sanitation.

PARTNER, on the other hand, will provide necessary prenatal and antenatal care to 50 pregnant Shaotal women and their children, as well as all immunization, vitamin, and nutritional support with the DAP fund. The NGO will also ensure safe water supply for the community and organise health camps to provide basic medical checkups and treatments of 344 Shaotal families that are covered by the NGO.

Md Azahar Ali Pramanik, Executive Director of SPACE and Md Abdus Sobhan Meah, Executive Director of PARTNER received the cheques from Mr Foskett on April 14, 2008.