GOAL: Committed to poverty eradication through the empowerment of the poor

PSDI Model Programs

Environment

Environment

Trees have been planted on both sides of 830 km (498 mi) of rural roads since 1989. PSDI partners with poor families to provide work, safeguard the environment, and secure the infrastructure of the country by planting millions of trees along both sides of the roads.

Plant 1,000 trees along 1 km of roadside               $180
Annual Salary for 1 caretaker per 1 km                  $257.50
Image here

Primary Schools

80,000 children have completed the first two years of primary education since 1996. Traditionally, poor children are not educated in rural Bangladesh. Introducing these children and their parents to the benefits of education changes their future and the future of their country.

Educate a child for 1 year with snacks                   $37
Sponsor a school of 30 children for 1 year            $750
Snacks for 30 children 3x a week for 1 year         $360
Image here

Agriculture

55,000 families have been helped to develop agricultural crops and 75,000 families to establish vegetable and fruit gardens. 25% of our partner families are small or marginal farmers. By providing them with a variety of healthy plants and seeds, which give higher yields and greater income, they are able to work their way out of poverty.

Agricultural inputs for cultivation of 1/5 acre         $33
Tissue culture support for seeds for 5 families    $15
Rental of .1 acre of agricultural land per year        $215
Image here

Animal Rearing

69,982 families have benefited from grants for rearing a variety of animals since the program began in 1988. This program has been successful on many levels by offering animals for every budget and physical capability. These numbers do not include those in micro credit programs.

Purchase of 10 ducks or chickens                           $22
Purchase of 2 goats                                                      $45
Purchase of 1 calf                                                          $145
Image here

Micro Finance

26,000 poor, rural women are currently enrolled in micro credit programs. Women’s group members, supervised by an experienced social worker, learn banking, the importance of savings, asset building and money management.

Avg. loan to support an individual entreprenuer     $60

Small Businesses

6,960 families have been given grants to start their own businesses since 1994. It is necessary for all family members to work. Small family-owned businesses can accommodate every age group and varying physical abilities allowing all members to contribute to the family income. Each entrepreneur receives training to ensure success.

Small business training per person                               $75
Purchase sewing machine with accessories             $90
Purchase bicycle rickshaw and van                              $170
Image here

Tube wells

2,124 tube wells and 418 arsenic-free wells have been installed since 1989 benefiting 25,000 families. Pure water flows beneath the surface of the ground and is usually accessible within 75-150 feet. Where arsenic contamination is present, a special well 700-800 feet deep is required. Each well benefits 5-10 families.

Ordinary Tube Well with platform                                   $160
Arsenic-free Deep Well with platform                           $720
Image here

Small Industries

Factories of 20–25 women have been established throughout work areas to fill local employment needs of the poorest. These factories are opportunities for women to work together to produce items in larger quantities or items that require machinery or greater space to fabricate.

Individual skills training for 6 months                            $65
Image here

Tin Roofs

10,560 poor families have received tin roofs in seven work areas. Loss of work due to illness is a serious problem for families already struggling to survive on one meal a day. Protecting their health by supplying proper shelter from the elements can literally save lives.

Tin roof to keep hut dry during monsoon rains           $105
Image here

Silk Industry

714 poor women are engaged in the process of making silk. There are multiple steps in the production of silk, each one requiring different skills and offering employment to the young and old, disabled and housebound.

Training/employment in silk industry per person       $210