OBAT Helpers is a 501(C) 3, non-profit organization committed to providing aid, support, education and economic empowerment to displaced, stranded and refugee populations residing in camps in Bangladesh. OBAT Helpers is a non-profit, 501(C)(3) organization committed to providing aid, support, education and economic empowerment to the suffering and displaced people known as, “Urdu speaking.” They are also sometimes referred to as, “Stranded Pakistanis” or the “Bihari community.” Based in Indianapolis, United States, since the last decade, OBAT is exclusively focused on capacitating this population through its education, health care and empowerment initiatives. They were supposed to be repatriated to Pakistan after the two countries separated but most of them could not due to various complications. They still live in the dilapidated and slum-like camps that were supposed to serve as their temporary shelter forty-four years ago. This population is scattered across one hundred and sixteen camps which house around 300,000 people. Commonly encountered in the camps are sights of families consisting of 7-10 people, sharing a living space of merely 8 x10 ft.; open sewers and overflowing drains; a single toilet or two for one hundred or so people; innocent six or seven year olds who should be in schools, working for a living; high-infant mortality rates due to absence of medical facilities; lack of clean drinking water and terrible or no sanitation facilities. Although the camp dwellers face nothing but abject poverty and a future devoid of hope, their spirits are resilient and their resolve to defeat these debilitating circumstances, very strong. OBAT’s goal is to improve the lives of this large group and to replace their misery with happiness, hope and dignity. Beginning only ten years ago, OBAT Helpers is proud to be now actively working in six cities and in more than half of the camps throughout Bangladesh. Although the suffering of the Urdu speaking community has disappeared within history’s pages, OBAT is determined to resurrect this issue and give the people the attention and aid they deserve. AREAS OF FOCUS FOR OBAT
EDUCATION & TRAINING: Altogether, OBAT operates more than 50 educational and training projects, including schools, tutoring, sewing and computer training centers. More than 700 scholarships have been offered to students pursuing education at different levels (middle school to higher education). Altogether, almost 4,500 students are enrolled in all the education projects. SELF-EMPOWERMENT: Over 1,600 families have been self-empowered through our micro-finance program. This program was mainly designed for women entrepreneurs who were provided financial assistance through micro loans. The women defeat poverty and attain financial independence as they set up businesses with the help of these loans. Women also learn sewing and embroidery skills at training centers that are devoted to this purpose. HEALTH & SANITATION: Over 10,000 people are assisted annually through 2 health care facilities which provide routine medical screenings and medication support. More than 2,000 cataract surgeries have been conducted since 2012 with the partnership of Sightsavers and the RS foundation. Safe and clean drinking water projects: OBAT has installed deep tube wells in different camps to provide better, safe and clean water for the camp communities. More than 21,000 people benefit from 7 deep tube wells and 29 shallow tube wells. INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT & FAMILY ASSISTANCE: OBAT provides financial assistance to the sick, elderly and widows in the camp communities. Thousands of families have been helped through our Ramadan Food Distribution and Qurbani Meat Distribution Programs. These programs are conducted around two Muslim festivals celebrated in the camps. Communities have also benefited through projects such as: rebuilding/construction of bathrooms, sanitation facilities and community center, etcetera. Relief projects are also undertaken by OBAT in case of a disastrous situation, for instance a camp fire or a natural calamity such as floods or cyclones.
