Draft for comments only Reviewing existing NGO services for the ...

credit for the ultra poor is a slightly modified version of general microcredit and NGOs do not
follow any common rules. Activities financed through micro-credit of different NGOs also vary
significantly. The ultra poor are considered a high credit risk group and NGOs usually offer
specialized schemes for financing which can bring high returns within a very short time. Interest
rates and repayment schedule may also differ from general microcredit. Low interest loan with
flexible repayment schedule for beef fattening, rickshaw/van pulling, milching cow, goat and poultry
rearing were some of such schemes identified in the list. There are also specially designed NGO
sector programmes for the ultra poor where participants don’t need to invest anything except
labour. Roadside plantation is such a programme where participants take care of planted trees under
an agreement that after 15-20 years, when the trees will matured, they will receive 60% of the sold
amount. There are also NGOs helping the poor in leasing arrangements for vegetable and other robi
crop cultivation. They also sometimes provide free seeds, seedlings of fruit and timber trees and day
old poultry birds.
A third category of inteventions involves the provision of different kinds of vocational training.
Several NGOs were providing tailoring training to the women under the government's VGD
programme. It is very important to note that none of the NGOs, except SDP (a local level NGO) in
Kotiadi of Kishoregonj district, provide direct employment to the ultra poor. However, different
study results show that the ultra poor lack secured and continuous source of income and the BRAC
study results show that the ultra poor prefer wage employment over credit.
Health support
All NGO’s with provision for training are also active in creating health awareness. We found few
NGOs providing health services to the ultra poor. Chinna Mukul in Kurigram and World Vision of
Bangladesh in Kalkini, Madaripur provided treatment (including food) to the ultra poor for Tk. 12.
TMSS in Gaibandha and Proshika in Gopalgonj, VORD in Pangsha, Rajbari, Ganashasthya Kendra in
Sherpur have programmes to provide nutrition for pregnant women and children. As part of relief
and rehabilitation programme Proshika in Gopalgonj, AVA in Jamalpur and Udayan Swabalambi
Sangstha in Gaibandha have some provision for free or subsidized treatment. Uddog in Palashbari and
Atmwa Unnayan Sangstha in Gaibandha district provide treatment to the disable people. Hitaishi
Bangladesh in Kaligonj of Kurigram/Lalmonirhat has water and sanitation programme. Islamic relief
has programme for the orphans.
Education
Three local level NGOs in two thanas of Gaibandha district (Uddog, Hachina Machir Welfare
Association and Atmwa Unnayan Sanhstha), two in Jamalpur (AVA and Swanirbhar Bangladesh), one in
Rajbari (VORD), one in Kurigram/Lalmonirhat (Modern Rural Progressive Society), one in Shirajgonj
(Manob Mukti), Three in Kishoregonj (Swanirbhar Bangladesh, Swanirbhar and Nari Uddogh Kendra) and
one in Sherpur (Ganashasthya Kendra) regions are providing free education support to the children
from ultra poor households. In Gopalgonj two large development agencies, Grameen and Proshika,
and a local level NGO, GGS, run education programmes. Students in these schools receive free
books.