What we do?

We work with and support the poorest and most vulnerable people to fight for and gain their rights to food, shelter, work, basic healthcare and a voice in the decisions that affect their lives.

Among them are widows, orphans, the homeless and disabled, and refugees. We also champion poor people’s rights through campaigns on food rights, and education.

Working through our offices and partners, SAWAB’s fight against poverty has reached millions of people in Bangladesh.

Where does SAWAB work?

Since our inception in 1995, we have supported projects in over 55 district, making a real, long-term difference. In many district we support emergency support, short term & long-term projects.

Wherever we work, we always make sure that our programs are created in collaboration with local people, often working very closely with partner organizations, to ensure that we are addressing the real root causes of poverty, rather than just alleviating the symptoms.

What makes SAWAB different?

We see poverty as an injustice and poor people as partners in tackling the causes of poverty.

We never try to impose solutions, but work with communities over many years to strengthen their own efforts to throw off poverty. We constantly ask ourselves how we can make the greatest impact with our resources.

Other things that make us different from other development agencies are: our long-term grassroots development approach our innovative ways of working on basic education, healthcare and livelihoods our rights-based approach to emergencies our close partnerships with local organizations in developing countries our committed, long-term supporter base our lack of affiliations with any religious or political groups.

Where our funds come from?

All our funds come from international Charity organization, private individuals, businesses, mosques and local organizations. We do not receive any funding from government institutions. This enables us to work independently.

Is SAWAB a political organization?

SAWAB has no political or religious affiliations, but we’re not afraid to challenge injustice. We work with poor and marginalized people, seeking to make governments and international institutions tackle the real causes of poverty.

Campaigning works – it’s as effective as giving a financial gift.

Governments are responsible for building the frameworks needed to give people their basic rights, so we also encourage poor people to hold their national and local governments to account.

We also work with governments, locally and nationally, to help them build their knowledge and skills so that they can fight poverty effectively in their own countries and international arenas.

Can you volunteer overseas?

SAWAB does not send volunteers overseas, preferring to employ local people wherever possible. We through our local offices and with local partner organizations at grassroots level.

We do, however, occasionally have opportunities for volunteers in the different district, usually in Bangladesh. Volunteers can help us maximize our efficiency, achieve our aims and bring new skills, experience and perspectives to our work. At the same time, we believe that volunteering can offer valuable training and work experience, as well as a chance to directly contribute to our work.

How much does SAWAB spend on administration?

Accountability – to poor people is central to our work, as is accountability to our donors. How we spend their money is something we take very seriously.

In 1995, for every DBT 1000 donated for our donors we were able to spend BDT 100% directly on our work for the poor. This is because all our us work as unpaid volunteer and our very admin and fundraising costs are covered from the local donation.

When appealing for funds we make every effort to be very clear about the purpose for which they are being raised. Through rigorous monitoring and auditing systems we ensure that money is being spent effectively and efficiently and for the purpose intended.

How does child sponsorship work?

When you sponsor a child with SAWAB, your contributions go straight to projects in that childs’s community. It’s a fantastic way to gain an insight into the difference that your donation can make, and build up a personal relationship with a child on the other side of the world.

Some of our sponsors are also involved in a programs which allows us to use sponsors’ money wherever the need is greatest in each country, helping us support difficult-to-reach groups such as migrant workers and orphans.