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The Advocacy Project helps marginalized communities to tell their story, claim their rights and produce social change. We recruit graduate students to volunteer as Peace Fellows with partners.

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Kate Cummings (Tufts University) volunteered in 2009 as a Peace Fellow for Vital Voices in Africa.

For more 2009 feedback click here.

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Partners > Asia > The Blind Educati...

The Blind Education and Rehabilitation Development Organization

Photo Credit: BERDO Photo Credit: BERDO Photo Credit: BERDO



The mission of the Blind Education and Rehabilitation Development Organization (BERDO) is to empower people with disabilities through income generation, leadership development, education, training and treatment facilities to become full members of their community with access to the social mainstream.  BERDO also aims to increase public awareness about disability issues, facilitate partnerships between disabled and non-disabled members of the community and prevent disability through medical treatment.




Watch an interview with one of BERDO's training recipients!









BERDO was formed in 1991 with a goal of empowering the disabled community of Bangladesh, a poor and overcrowded country where approximately 8-10% of the population is disabled.  An estimated 8.5 million people are physically disabled; 1.3 million are speech and hearing impaired; almost 2 million are visually impaired or blind; and approximately 1.5 million people are intellectually impaired.

Lacking access to education, employment and medical facilities, disabled people are dependent upon their families and are considered a burden on society by their communities. 

To address the harassment and humiliation which people face, BERDO works to empower the disabled community and uplift its members towards full participation in society (source: BERDO).


  • BERDO has a talking library that produces and disseminates “talking books” for students and individuals with visual impairments.
  • The organization's medical center provides accessible medical services to prevent or manage disabilities.
  • BERDO awards scholarships to support the educational endeavors of students with disabilities.
  • By building relationships with business and government institutions, BERDO is able to find job placement for persons with disabilities. 
  • BERDO provides Braille education to visually impaired children through their School of Happy World .
  • They help in the development of computer skills for visually impaired persons through their School of Information and Technology for the Visually Impaired.
  • BERDO's Community-Based Rehabilitation program facilitates AP Peace Fellow, Caitlin Burnett, awarding Salma Chowdhury a scholarship. dialogue between individuals with disabilities and non-disabled persons and provides training to people with disabilities, family members, teachers, and community leaders.
  • BERDO runs a microcredit program with loans that range from $50 to $200 that are usually invested in purchasing a cow, a rickshaw or a community store.  The repayment rate of disabled borrowers is 98 percent.
  • In addition, BERDO hopes to expand their activities to include the printing of Braille books and a vocational training center.



Press Releases

On August 16, 2007 BERDO sent out its first e-newsletter with commentary, news articles and a profile of a scholarship recipient.

December 2001-
Disability development in education in the urban community: A study in education for children with disability
Md. Saidul Huq, Executive Director

 


 AdvocacyNet

August 28, 2008- Disabled Villagers Become Savvy Investors in Rural Bangladesh

July 20, 2007- Advocates for the Blind Bring Vision to Impoverished Bangladesh

Blogs

Amanda Lasik, 2011 Peace Fellow. Read Amanda's blog.
Abhilash Medhi, 2009 Peace Fellow.  Read Abhilash's blog.
Danita Topcagic, 2008 Peace Fellow. Read Danita's blog.
Caitlin Burnett, 2007 Peace Fellow. Read Caitlin’s blog.

Photographs

Income Generating Tea Stall

Mizanur Rahman receiving a scholarship from BERDO

Group Meeting in Barisal


A Braille Lesson In Dhaka





























In the Media Highlights

July 25 & 26, 2011-

BERDO’s 20th anniversary was covered by The Financial Express, The New National Independent Daily, The Daily Star and The News Today.  Dr. Captain (Rtd.) Mozibur Rahman Fakir, MP, Honorable State Minister of Health and Family Welfare of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh was featured as chief guest.




Outreach Partners

In recent years, BERDO has received the financial support of a number of international entities, including:


In addition, BERDO has enjoyed the support of a number of corporations working in Bangladesh, including:

The government of Bangladesh has also supported the work of BERDO, through the following ministries:

Other organizations have provided in kind support, including training and computer donations:

For more information about networking with Berdo, email Md. Saidul Huq, Executive Director.







Support BERDO in Bangladesh:

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Website: http://www.berdo-bd.org/

3/1, Road # 11,
Rupnagar, Section # 5
Mirpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Tel : 0088-02- 8060703
         0088-02- 9009451
Res:  0088-02- 8058317
Fax : 0088-02-9003786
Email: support@berdo-bd.org
       or: edberdo@berdo-bd.org

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