 Bangladesh has the highest population
density in the world, and many of its inhabitants live below the
poverty line. The
desperately poor and those from ethnic minorities face acute financial
hardship
in their day-to-day lives, and can hardly afford to maintain their
families.
Most people depend on agriculture for their livelihood due to lack of
education, employment opportunities and skills.
Young people in rural areas find it
particularly difficult to find
employment. Sometimes, while unemployed, they become involved in crime
and
unruly activities. Others migrate to nearby towns and urban areas in
search of
employment. The rate of unemployment has been gradually increasing.
Acquiring
technical skills through training can minimise the unemployment crisis
among
youth. Vocational technical programmes are an effective way to reduce
the
unemployment problems of the country. Unfortunately there is limited
opportunity and scope to get skills training in rural areas.
Human Development Programme (HDP) is a
non-Government
Development Organisation working with people in rural and urban areas
of Bangladesh. It was
established in 1982 at the initiative of local social workers, who saw
a chance
to alleviate poverty, and enhance the security and dignity of target
people,
through capacity building and empowerment.
HDP is aware that the empowerment of young
people is a necessary
precondition for sustainable socio-economic development. HDP is also
aware that
assisting only young men and women
will not resolve the problems of a vulnerable family - rather other
household
members should participate in the process to overcome the situation to
ensure
household security in a sustainable manner.
HDP aims to provide vocational
training skills in
order to create job opportunities for young men and women, which in
turn will
create self and institutional employment and income generation for
rural
families. These youths can participate in the socio-economic
development of the
country, mobilising resources in rural development to encourage
eco-friendly production
of bio resources. HDP
also
supports the education and integration of those in the community with
special
needs, for example the physically disabled and the elderly.
Projects undertaken by HDP include running programmes
for personal formation; health services, Leadership and Management
Training,
group management and skill development training, an Adult Literacy
Program, non-formal
child education, health and nutrition, women’s empowerment, as well as
Micro-Credit
Support and Income Generating Activities.
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