Crowds of people, floods of water
Unimaginable throngs of people in the world’s most densely populated country. A thousand people are, on average, crowded into every square kilometre. The traffic chaos in the cities seems almost apocalyptic. In the monsoon season, two thirds of the country is flooded every year. The frequently occurring natural disasters finish things off, making life in this miserably poor country into a chronic nightmare.
Something needs to happen
In 2003, AVC started its involvement in Bangladesh in cooperation with the partner organization Ethnos Asia. This was initiated by enquiries from Christian churches into getting support for training workers. Visiting the country itself, further areas clamoured for attention where urgent help was needed. The work has been spreading rapidly ever since.
Education for children and adults
Primary school in the Chittagong Hills
The Chittagong Hills are a remote area that is even more underdeveloped and poorer than the rest of the country. There AVC has helped establish three primary schools. Around 200 pupils are currently being educated, to a level that is far above that of state schools. In addition, Christian values, principles of hygiene and other vital information are taught. In this way, the pupils are given a solid foundation for life. As a side effect of this, a number of parents have already come into a relationship with God.
Primary school in Muslim slum
In 2009, an additional primary school was opened in a Muslim slum in Dhaka. Slum children are to be given an opportunity to find their way out of misery by means of an above-average school education. In addition to their school education, the children are supported by a local Christian church and provided with food and clothing.
- Escaping from the misery by educating mind and heart and with...
- ... a helping of rice
Training church workers
With the Church Empowerment Programs (CEP), a three-stage training course developed in Asia, church workers from the Chittagong Hills are thoroughly prepared for their manifold tasks. Since 2002, each year around 100 workers have been trained. Dozens of Christian churches with significant spiritual and social involvement among the poorest people in their region have been established during this time. The CEP training program is to be made available to people nationwide.
