Probashi pride
Bangladeshi girls raise a substantial amount for the Qld Flood appeal. SHAFEEN MUSTAQ reports
The evening of January 30 saw members of the Bangladeshi community in Campbelltown gather for a good cause, despite the intense heat. More than 350 people came together at the request of Projonmo Bangladesh Sydney (Probasy). A registered charity organisation run by a group of young Bangladeshi girls, Probasy has been catalysing social change through assisting those in need in Bangladesh and abroad.
Their latest project was closer home, as the organisation felt it was important to rally local efforts to support the thousands of people affected by the floods in Queensland. A charity dinner and auction was held, and was attended by the Federal MP Laurie Ferguson and the Ambassador of Bangladesh Lieutenant General Mausud Uddin Chowdhury. Support and donations were also received from Mr Andrew McDonald, local state MP, Campbelltown.
Over the past 10 years, Probasy has been an active participant in organising cultural programs, Tree Plantation Day, Blood Donation programs, as well as festivals and fairs held in Sydney
The event raised $10,220 through the sale of tickets and an auction of items sponsored by the local business community. It was an enjoyable night for all who attended. The total expenses totalled to $1,199, which was fully sponsored by businesses in the local community.
A bank cheque of $10,220.00 payable to The Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal was accepted by Mr Laurie Ferguson on February 11, on behalf of the Premier of Queensland.
(The final accounts of the event are available from Mr Nizam Uddin Ahmed, Mr Mahbubul Islam Chowdhury, Mr Mossaref Chowdhury, Mr Jacob Chowdhury, Mr Mustaq Khan and at the registered office of Probasy).
Probasy is overwhelmed by the help, co-operation and assistance from their community, sponsors, donors and media, and is grateful to all the members, participants and volunteers for their co-operative efforts in making the event a success. Probasy also thanks those who bought the tickets but could not make it on the night, and everyone for their support.
The team at Probasy are deeply aware of social and current issues and actively work to address them. Created in 2001, the organisation arose from a collective need to better the lives of the disadvantaged in Bangladesh, as well as in Australia. Its main focus was originally to raise funds for the acid victims of Bangladesh, and the organisation has now branched out to aid other causes in both countries. Over the past 10 years, Probasy has been an active participant in organising cultural programs, Tree Plantation Day, Blood Donation programs, as well as festivals and fairs held in Sydney. Stalls have raised funds for dedicated projects including charity functions for the Red Cross, Cancer Council breakfasts and Clean up Australia day, among other initiatives.
Probasy has raised funds acid victims in Bangladesh, and these have been successfully deployed for their treatment, legal aid, rehabilitation, self-employment needs and social awareness campaigns.
Probasy has raised funds for acid victims in Bangladesh, and these have been successfully deployed for their treatment, legal aid, rehabilitation, self-employment needs and social awareness campaigns. In the past, money was raised for a cancer patient named Prapti (a 3-year-old girl in Bangladesh) and a Bangladeshi cancer student in Australia. The team also raised funds for SIDR Flood affected people in Bangladesh, and held a Cadbury chocolate run, raising money for the 20 most affected families in Nilfamaria to the north of Bangladesh, providing them with income-generating items such as rickshaws, sewing machines, cows, van, wheelchair and tins for their shelter.
In September 2010 during the month of Ramadan, the Probasy team organised an Iftar party, raising $5,000 for fistula patients in Bangladesh. Fistula is an injury of obstructed labour without timely medical intervention, which may result in stillbirth and leave the mother with many complications. The team has successfully organised for 25 fistula patients to be operated on as they have been suffering from this disease for 10 to 20 years. This was organised through Motaleb Community Hospital in Dhaka, and cost an average of $200 per patient. In Bangladesh there are 100,000 unfortunate poor mothers who still suffer from fistula disease today.
Probasy’s next project will be to put up a stall at the Bangladeshi Boi Mela (book fair) at Ashfield Park on February 20 from 10am to 6pm, to raise further funds for the acid victims of Bangladesh. Support from the community would be appreciated by Probasy and its members.
