Programme for Sustainable Development [ PSD ]

Programme for Sustainable Development (PSD) is a grass-roots, non-government, non-religious, not-for-profit social development organisation based in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh. We aim to facilitate sustainable social change in ultra-poor communities through education and livelihood development. We achieve this by delivering free primary schooling, basic health care, micro-credit finance schemes, alternative livelihood development, partnering and advocacy. We have a particular focus on meeting the needs of the most disadvantaged groups in society – women, children and ethnic minority groups. PSD was established on 27 November 2000 by a group of community members concerned about increasing urbanisation in Dhaka and the associated rise in extreme poverty. In its early stages, only 20 students attended PSD’s first school in Moghbazar. Initially, it was difficult to convince the community that the free schooling and other programmes would be beneficial and potentially life changing. With great persistence, the PSD team have built up trust with the local community and today there are a total of 500 beneficiaries participating in PSD’s various programmes. At present, 200 families receive economic assistance through the microfinance programme and 150 students receive free schooling at the Moghbazar branch. The demand has been so high that PSD opened another school in Nandipara camp in 2010, which has 150 students enrolled. The school started with only 20 children which now has over 130 children: a dynamic average growth of 78% per year.The National Board Curriculum is followed. Subjects offered are Bangla, English, Mathematics, General Science, Social Studies and Religion. You too can participate by taking on the cost of one child's yearly education fee and become an education parent no matter where you are. We hold meeting with all our educational parents via skype or in-person so they can see their donation is going towards a worthy cause.