UTSHO Bangladesh is a non-government organization focusing on the rights of women and children. Founded in 1993, UTSHO works on ensuring basic human rights such as free health care, education and freedom from oppression are accessible to all. Its comprehensive and innovative community based approach raises awareness, and ensures UTSHO takes meaningful action against domestic violence, human traffi
cking, substance abuse, and forced labour. UTSHO’s belief that empowerment comes through education is best demonstrated through its three schools – two residential and one non-residential. By operating a boutique tailoring service, restaurant, catering service, and a grocery store, there is opportunity for on-the-job training and skills development for many of the parents of UTSHO’s school students. All sales profits feed back into UTSHO’s schools and projects. Community engagement and support has enabled UTSHO to maintain support for its valuable work, and ensured that it can operate in a self-sufficient manner. Support has come from health sector professionals, philanthropists, farmers, teachers, students, and local household neighbours. All these supporters have selflessly contributed resources, their expertise, time, and care.
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UTSHO School Bidyaniketan – Residential and Non-Residential schools
Utsho’s school began in 1993 and consisted of just three students. By 2005, the school had grown significantly to 130 students. The decision was made to separate the residential children from the day students due to the space constraints. Utsho now has two schools; a residential and non-residential school. Both schools are called Utsho Bidyaniketan (Place of Knowledge), and aim to create a healthy educational environment for under privileged and marginalised children. Currently there are 75 residential students and 60 non residential students. UTSHO Bangladesh’s students are taught not only the mainstream education syllabus, but also vocational skills and training. Vocational education is given equal importance so that the children may develop particular skills to support themselves. In addition, the children also participate in extracurricular activities including singing, dancing, art classes and computer classes. Bidyaniketan not only provides an educational environment, but also provides the children with care, shelter, food and healthcare.
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UTSHO Restaurant:
Utsho’s restaurant, established in 1996, has provided marginalized and vulnerable women opportunity for skills development and on-the-job training, while also giving refuge and shelter. The Restaurant is located in Lalmatia and operates seven days a week serving fresh, traditional and inexpensive Bengali food. For Further Information contact UTSHO Restaurant on Ph: 814 2582
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UTSHO Catering Program:
The UTSHO Catering program is yet another initiative providing marginalised women with shelter, protection and job space. The catering program has been in operation since 1995 and supplies and caters food for numerous events, parties, iftar parties, celebrations and gatherings. The catering service serves delicious food at unbelievably low prices.
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UTSHO Boutique:
Utsho’s Boutique was created in 1996. The Boutique also provides marginalized and vulnerable women with job space and shelter for both themselves and their children. The Boutique is located in Lalmatia and specializes in handmade Salwar Kameez, Saris, Punjabi’s and a selection of fashionable children’s wear all at economical prices. The Boutique is open seven days a week. For Further Information contact UTSHO Boutique on Ph:
814 2582
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DONATIONS AND SPONSORSHIP:
From the very beginning, UTSHO has been running on voluntary donations. These come from a variety of sources, including the extended families of resident children. Monthly sponsorships and regular donations also come from socially-conscious members of the society. UTSHO also generates funds through fundraising events held annually. The money collected through these events go directly to UTSHO and contributes towards food, rent, clothing, furnishings and education.
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HOW YOU CAN HELP ~
> Volunteer
> Sponsor a child
> Become a member (fill up a form with a payment of Tk. 500)
> Purchase clothes at the Boutique
> Taste the delicious food at the UTSHO Cafeteria or order dishes from Utsho Catering service
> Buy groceries from UTSHO
> Contribute a monetary donation
> Advocate for human and child rights
> Promote the work of UTSHO raise awareness
> Donate goods for UTSHO's garage sale
