Our Projects

Showcasing impactful initiatives since 1991 for community growth.

Eradication of Hazardous Child Labor in Bangladesh (EHCLB)

The project is being implemented in the Khilgaon and Sabujbag Thanas under the Dhaka Metropolitan City area, as well as the Chandgaon Thana under the Chittagong Metropolitan City area. Funded by the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MoLE), the project started in January 2002 and will continue until June 2014.

The major activities of the project include selecting working children (both girls and boys) through a benchmark survey, forming community groups (comprising guardians, local elites, local government representatives, teachers, etc.), staff training, supplying training and educational materials, providing non-formal education to the children, and imparting skills development training (SDT) to them. The training covers areas such as tailoring, embroidery, boutique and block printing, cooking/food processing, candle making, and more. Additionally, credit support is provided to the learners' parents.

The target groups of the project are street children (both girls and boys), factory workers, children assisting with household work, workshop workers (e.g., welding workshops), and children engaged in other hazardous occupations. A total of 3,000 children, aged 8 to 18 years, including both working boys and girls, are direct beneficiaries of the project. Approximately 2,000 people, including their parents, benefit directly or indirectly from the project.

The project also provides micro-credit support to the children's parents to help increase their income and engage in alternative income-generating activities.

As a result of the project’s activities, awareness of education has increased among both the children and their parents. Additionally, both groups have become more aware of children's rights, and the children have gained skills both in learning and in alternative, child-friendly occupations.

Post Literacy and Continuing Education for Human Development (PLCEHD)

Self Development has been implementing the project activities in Gabtoli Upazila under Bogura district. The major activities of the project include selecting adult learners for non-formal education, selecting facilitators for training, enrolling learners (both dropouts and new literates) at PLCEHD centers, forming center management committees, purchasing and supplying materials (for learning and accommodation), providing post-literacy and continuing education, and imparting skills development training to the participants.

The target group of the project consists of individuals aged 15 to 45, including dropout children and newly literate adults. A total of 900 learners—510 females and 390 males—are direct beneficiaries of the project. Through the program activities, the beneficiaries are provided with access to TVs, radios, newspapers, magazines, and various recreational materials to support their continuous learning. Additionally, they receive farm equipment to support agricultural activities, sewing machines, and other trade-related tools for income generation.

As a result of the project’s activities, beneficiaries have improved their literacy skills in both reading and writing. The dissemination of news and information has enhanced their awareness. There has been an increased interest in learning, working, and engaging in professional activities. The project has also fostered linkages with other NGOs and financial institutions to assist the target learners with income and employment generation activities. The voices of local people are now being heard, and overall, their social status and lifestyles have seen significant improvements.