24 Jul 2004 - World Vision - Child Sponsorship
The Fellowship supports Ashit Saha, a rising seven year old (he's seven on the 2 August) who lives in Bangladesh, through the work of World Vision. Recently we have received an update on Ashit's progress over the last year.
It's reported that Ashit is at primary school in Grade 2 and his favourite subjects are languages Bengali and English together with mathematics. His hobbies are reading and drawing and he enjoys cricket. At home Ashit helps with the cleaning and shopping.
Ashit comments that he is 121 centimetres tall (48"), he weighs 22 kilograms (3 stone 5 pounds) and his health is fair. Ashit lives with his mother Aroti and sister Turnpa in a village some 40 kilometres (25 miles) south west of Dhaka.
This is the second year that the Fellowship has supported Ashit and the Fellowship is committed to continue supporting him through his growing years. The monthly donation for Ashit's upkeep is raised through contributions given each Sunday by members of the congregation young and old (this appeals particularly to the young).
The Tuital Project in Bangladesh, through which the support is directed, serves seven poor villages in a low-lying rural area. Most families struggle on low and uncertain wages from day labouring in paddy fields, while a few farm their own plots. The meagre diet of rice and lentils is supplemented by fish caught from the river. Poverty and illiteracy have led to malnutrition, disease and exploitation.
Muslim, Hindu and Christian families are all involved in the project. More than 200 children are enabled to go to school, receiving extra tuition from project staff when required, and there are literacy classes for adults as well. A community health programme has been launched - children have health checks, treatment and vitamins, while mothers are taught preventative health care and hygiene. The project has acquired land so that needy families can improve both income and vitamin intake through vegetable gardening.
An important aspect of the project is the training of local leaders, in preparation for the time when urgent needs have been met and the people can begin to build on what has been achieved through sponsorship support.
Key Facts - Bangladesh
Population: 140.9 million
Life expectancy 60.5 years (UK: 77.9)
59.4% of adults cannot read and write
77 of every 1000 children do not live to their 5th birthday
48% of children under five are underweight
Main religions: Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1%
It's reported that Ashit is at primary school in Grade 2 and his favourite subjects are languages Bengali and English together with mathematics. His hobbies are reading and drawing and he enjoys cricket. At home Ashit helps with the cleaning and shopping.
Ashit comments that he is 121 centimetres tall (48"), he weighs 22 kilograms (3 stone 5 pounds) and his health is fair. Ashit lives with his mother Aroti and sister Turnpa in a village some 40 kilometres (25 miles) south west of Dhaka.
This is the second year that the Fellowship has supported Ashit and the Fellowship is committed to continue supporting him through his growing years. The monthly donation for Ashit's upkeep is raised through contributions given each Sunday by members of the congregation young and old (this appeals particularly to the young).
The Tuital Project in Bangladesh, through which the support is directed, serves seven poor villages in a low-lying rural area. Most families struggle on low and uncertain wages from day labouring in paddy fields, while a few farm their own plots. The meagre diet of rice and lentils is supplemented by fish caught from the river. Poverty and illiteracy have led to malnutrition, disease and exploitation.
Muslim, Hindu and Christian families are all involved in the project. More than 200 children are enabled to go to school, receiving extra tuition from project staff when required, and there are literacy classes for adults as well. A community health programme has been launched - children have health checks, treatment and vitamins, while mothers are taught preventative health care and hygiene. The project has acquired land so that needy families can improve both income and vitamin intake through vegetable gardening.
An important aspect of the project is the training of local leaders, in preparation for the time when urgent needs have been met and the people can begin to build on what has been achieved through sponsorship support.
Key Facts - Bangladesh
Population: 140.9 million
Life expectancy 60.5 years (UK: 77.9)
59.4% of adults cannot read and write
77 of every 1000 children do not live to their 5th birthday
48% of children under five are underweight
Main religions: Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1%