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ASPIRE
A quarterly OBAT Helpers publication
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July 2015
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Ramadan Campaign Gaining Ground!
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 With the onset of the sacred month of Ramadan, our
Ramadan, Spirit and Charity fundraising campaign is off to a great start, thanks to your overwhelming kindness and support. This month unites all of us with its simple message of self-control and benevolence toward others less fortunate than us. As this month progresses, do take a moment to remember your fellow brothers and sisters in the camps for whom simple food and clean water constitutes an indulgence. Share your Zakat and the blessings of Ramadan with them by supporting OBAT's programs that are a lifeline for their survival and well-being. This Ramadan, our goal is to raise $280,000 to educate, heal and empower the unfortunate camp residents. Help us reach 100% of our goal by joining the movement.
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Sight Restored for 46 Camp Residents
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Forty-six camp residents received the gift of sight during May when cataract surgeries were conducted by the Diabetic Hospital in Chittagong in partnership with OBAT. Thank you to the RS Foundation in Canada for their support of OBAT's cataract surgery project. You can also help give the gift of sight to a person for only $40.
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200 Families Receive Clean Water from New Tubewell in Ferozeshah
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| | Women get water from the new tubewell |
A new tubewell has been installed at Ferozeshah camp in Chittagong. A special thank you to our supporters for contributing towards this project. There is a severe scarcity of clean water in the camps and water-borne diseases proliferate due to lack of potable water. This tubewell is another step toward solving the severe water crises faced by the residents.
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OBAT's BLS School Under Renovation
|  The BLS High School is the latest addition to OBAT's educational projects, bringing the total number of OBAT's schools to eight, two of which now are high schools. In order to ensure a safe environment for the students, a new roof was installed on the school in anticipation of monsoon season. |
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OBAT Installs 15 Tubewells in Deteriorating Ishurdi Camp
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| | A woman draws water from a newly installed hand pump at Ishurdi |
OBAT, RSF and HCI Canada have initiated tube well installation work at Ishurdi camp. This is the first step toward rebuilding basic infrastructure at Ishurdi which is the most overlooked camp and has rapidly deteriorating living conditions.The total population here, according to a 1992 survey is 7,576 people and no NGO's are working here presently. According to the report of OBAT Project officer Humayun Kabir, water and sanitation projects need immediate and thorough attention.
The following number of tube wells have been installed:
Khulna, Khalispur: 5
Khulna, Gilatala: 3
Ishurdy: 3
Mymensingh: 4
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OBAT Khulna Holds Ceremony for Sewing and Computer Graduates
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A farewell and prayer program was held on March 30th at OBAT's training center in Khulna. The ceremony was a joint one held for the graduates from the sewing and embroidery program and the computer training center. This is the 6th batch of the sewing program, the 2nd batch of the embroidery center and the 9th batch of the computer training center in Khulna. A huge thank you to Mr. Humayun Kabir, OBAT's project officer in Khulna for his tireless efforts in making these programs successful. Best of luck to this graduating batch and we can't wait to accept new students!
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A Simple Dream
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"In February 2015 in Mirpur camp, I saw two kids who are brothers and who live at Wabda building camp with their family. They both are under the age of ten but they work everyday to survive. What shocked me the most was that their whole family depends on these two children to feed them from their income. One of the brothers pulls the cart from area to area and the other sells potatoes. When I asked them about their studies, they sadly replied that they didn't go to school yet but they really wanted to read and write. They have a dream to study in a school like other kids."
By: Murtaza Khan, OBAT former project officer
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About OBAT
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OBAT Helpers is a U.S. based non-profit, 501(c)3 organization committed to providing aid, support, education and economical empowerment to suffering and displaced people. Our immediate focus is the forgotten and ignored Urdu speaking community, commonly known as stranded Pakistanis/Biharis, who have been suffering silently in the many shanty camps across Bangladesh for the past 43 years. OBAT was formed ten years ago to empower the camp residents through its various projects related to health, education and micro finance.
We hope that you will continue your generous support and create hope for these unfortunate and forgotten people. Together, we are making a difference in their lives as we help them fulfill their hopes and dreams.
Please share this message with your friends and families and invite them to join us on this journey!
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We value and appreciate your support tremendously. For questions and concerns, please email us at [email protected]
Spread the word
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OBAT participates in charitable giving discussion on Dunya TV
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| Friends of OBAT, Seattle shines! | |
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New Friends of OBAT Chapter: Chicago!
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| You're Changing Zahid's Life | |
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Rangpur School Making Strides!
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| Tutoring Students Take on HSC exam | |
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Decathlon Brings Sports to Halishaher Students
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Visitors Facilitate Prenatal and Postnatal Care
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Mid Year Exam Time for Preschoolers
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Can you be our matchmaker?
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