Symbiosis International

Madarganj, Bangladesh

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Madarganj is a very fertile area in Jamalpur district on the eastern bank of the mighty Jamuna River in Bangladesh. The local farmers grow great crops of rice and, in the dry season (November to April), vegetables including chilies do well. If you are fond of chili, come to Madarganj in March! Symbiosis International, through Symbiosis Bangladesh, has been working for over 3 years, running projects aimed at improving the health and welfare of poor people in this area.

During the wet season from May to October, the waters of the Jamuna River spill out over the flood plain and in some years flood waters make life very difficult for the poor farmers. People have to live in cramped damp conditions, have to travel by boat from one dry place to another and struggle to keep their domestic animals alive when dry land is almost non-existent. In 2007 the area was flooded twice, resulting in the destruction of the main rice crop.

Symbiosis Bangladesh made an application to the Australian High Commission in Dhaka for a direct aid grant to help build a multi purpose centre in the area. The plan included a building of reinforced concrete pillars with a concrete roof, which could also be used as a second floor during flood times. More concrete pillars, brick walls and a corrugated iron roof completed the second floor. We wanted the centre to be used as an office for the local Symbiosis project, as a training centre, and as a shelter for people and domestic animals during floods. Along with the land for the building, some adjoining land, including a deep pond, was also purchased and will be used as a demonstration area for fish culture and small kitchen gardens. The application to the Australian High Commission was successful and approximately $A13,000 was given to the organization in February 2008. After site preparation, building commenced in March. Every effort was made to complete the centre before any flooding commenced, and the building was successfully finished in mid July. The Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Mr Doug Foskett officially opened the centre on the 28th of July, 2008. 

Symbiosis and the people of Madarganj are extremely grateful to the Australian Government through its High Commission in Bangladesh for its practical help in building this centre. Not only is there now a secure building that can provide shelter in time of flood, but we also have a facility that can be used for training in areas such as sewing, fish culture, animal and vegetable raising. The poor and marginalized people of Madarganj will enjoy lasting benefits from this project for many years into the future.