Introduction and Background

Shobar Jonno Shundor Jibon (SJSJ) is an independent registered non-government and nonprofit civil society organization based at Bangladesh. SJSJ prime motto is capacity building and services delivery to the deprived and marginalized people of the society.

In 2018 a group of educated, dynamic and like-minded people working in the development sector, got together to establish an organization, for addressing the most urgent and pressing needs of the people of Bangladesh. True to this spirit the organization was named Shobar Jonno Shundor Jibon (SJSJ) which means a quality life for all.

The organization’s focus was not kept limited either in in terms of geography or sector. Whilst operating in different districts of the country, SJSJ has been carrying a range of interventions in the areas of education, health & hygiene, youth & women empowerment, human rights, etc.

The type of activities undertaken by the organization range from capacity building to service delivery, with focus remaining on the deprived and marginalized segments of the society. Whereas in terms of operations what characterizes SJSJ’s functioning are its efforts to (a) enlist involvement of the locals when initiating activities at the grass root level; and (b) mobilize women for bringing peace, tolerance, and development in society.

Although a somewhat new entry in the development arena, SJSJ – Planning to the linkages of its members with national & international funding agencies .

What SJSJ Does?

 Influenced by the new development paradigm, which puts people before things, SJSJ follows a participatory approach in every sphere of its work. The traditional knowledge of the rural poor is valued and respected, and there is confidence that rural people are capable of self-reliant organization. On a practical level, the fundamental thrust of this approach is decentralization and empowerment.

 For a community to be able to work for its own development and reduce its dependency there is a need for full involvement at all stages of the development cycle. The participation of communities in identification, planning, management, implementation and evaluation of projects is a key factor in SJSJ work. Internally a participatory approach is adopted in managing the affairs of SJSJ.

 Externally, SJSJ role as a “change agent” helps to develop community management structures that are capable of managing their own development. This increases the ability of the community to demand accountability in all their affairs, from leaders and officials. It reinforces the community’s belief in the value of their own development choices and efforts. These community management structures are not parallel structures, but are built upon traditional institutions, promoting equitable representation and participation

 Human resource development is an essential part of our development work. This means ensuring that the community is trained and skilled, as well as organized, to maximize the potential of the community to take hold of its own development.

 SJSJ strongly believes in maximizing its impact by transferring field experiences into knowledge to influence the development policies and practices of NGOs, donors and government agencies. This is important for working towards the long-term goal of eradicating poverty.

 Approach

During the process of social mobilization, SJSJ adopted a participatory, self-help, self-sustainable approach through community involvement and formation of volunteer groups in remote rural areas of Baangladesh.

 Philosophy

Sustainable rural development is a dynamic process posing various needs at different phases of time. These can be dealt with continuous interventions based on designed frameworks that incorporate the requirements projected by the communities and with the help of the communities by strategizing for public-private partnership.

Scope of Work

SJSJ has strong linkages with major NGOs and funding agencies working in Bangladesh. It has undertaken initiatives in Bangladesh through collaboration with local NGOs and activists. SJSJ enjoys a rich experience of working in the diverse socio-cultural environment of Bangladesh and an extensive networking with the Districts & Governments, civil society institutions, media and political parties.

 Organizational Values

  • Honesty
  • Respect for individual
  • Integrity
  • Participation in communal activities
  • Transparency in all transactions
  • Accountability to all the actions/deeds performed by an individual
  • Creativity
  • Cost efficiency
  • Gender sensitivity

Values guiding our work

  • TRUE: Ensuring transparency at all levels of our work
  • PROFICIENCY : Providing creative expertise and strong commitment
  • SOLIDARITY: Within our NGO and with the people we aim to support
  • JUSTICE: Within our NGO as well as in society
  • INTEGRITY To act according to the values we wish to promote
  • FLEXIBILITY Showing our willingness to change and learn

Guiding Principles:

Shobar Jonno Shundor Jibon follows the below mentioned guiding principles in implementation of its projects/programmes:

  • Use of indigenous knowledge
  • Making efforts to achieve highest quality standards
  • Promoting a culture of innovation and creativity
  • Meeting deadlines
  • Enhancing networking and coordination
  • Facing challenges

Professional Strength

  • Highly qualified, experienced and devoted professionals and board members and staff;
  • Adaptability to cope up and meet the requirements of diverse socio cultural environment of Bangladesh;
  • Overwhelming support of local people.
  • Acceptance as a representative of common people of the area.
  • Extensive network to undertake initiatives at grassroots;
  • Availability of state-of-the-art modern equipment and tools;
  • Strong partnerships for undertaking innovative initiatives;

Community/Social mobilization:

SJSJ while implementing its programme/projects as a first step undertakes community mobilization so that to raise awareness in community on health and hygiene, importance of education in modern day affairs, gender related issues, socio-economic development and environmental protection. For this purpose SJSJ management holds meetings with the community members, conducts training/capacity building sessions and also launched campaigns.

Service delivery:

SJSJ is staunch believer in a very strong and efficient service delivery in the fields of health, education and environment. For this purpose, SJSJ management has always delivered services in the communities in a transparent manner taking care of quantity and quality. It is only because of this very reason that the YIAB interventions have always helped in meeting the community needs and achieving the desired objectives.

Target groups

SJSJ basically works mainly for the poorest of the poor in the rural areas of the country. Its target groups include the men, women and children in the rural communities of the country who are still living in miserable conditions and deprived of very basic necessities of life. Besides, SJSJ also focuses upon the urban populace living in slums and other such area. For achieving its goal and objective, SJSJ target groups also include health workers, paramedics and other staff related to health issues, teachers, students, environmentalists and stakeholders in the field of health, education and environment.

Reproductive Health

  • This thematic area entails following important features for development:
  • Establishment of community health centers at remote areas where people don’t have access to the health facilities.
  • Develop immunization programs for venereal diseases and epidemics.
  • Organizing events for public health along with government.

Child Protection

  • Under this theme SJSJ focuses on holistic development of children its protection and rights, following interventions are planned over the time:
  • Child rights education and protection awareness at different levels and different stakeholders.
  • Development of safe learning places for children at schools, hospitals, and community centers.
  • Children confidence building programs, walks, sessions, campaigns, and trainings.
  • Development of children groups and developing leadership skills in them.

Women Empowerment

Women Empowerment aims at promotion women to take lead role in democratic norms and culture in the operational area. Two types of activities are undertaken in this theme: one aim at building capacities of women and communities and their groups to engage effectively with government and other stakeholders for getting their constitutional and legal social, economic and political rights, the other aims at working directly with state institutions for creating an environment that can guarantee the rights of women citizens. It also focuses on enhancing women income generation skills through capacity building and micro credit. Under this program following sub activities are also conducted:

  • Formation of local women groups and their capacity building.