a development organization of Church of Bangladesh
Shalom is an integrated organ of the Church of Bangladesh (CoB) for responding to humanitarian needs and initiating development activities in support of dignified living of the poor. CoB has a long history of serving people with education, health and other charitable services. After the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, the Church began a mission to restore the lives of the war victims through relief and rehabilitation activities, and later in 1983 formed the Church of Bangladesh Social Development Programme (CBSDP), which is now Shalom, for mainstreaming development programmes to meet the needs of the people. Shalom seeks to show Christian love and establish justice and peace for the poor and oppressed, irrespective of religion, caste and creed. Special priority is given for Ethnic minorities along with other vulnerable classes prone to environmental, social and climatic degradation. Shalom in its development efforts follows a community based approach that leads to building people’s institutions and towards sustainable development. Shalom has gone through a massive reformation to make it effective and well governed towards its conviction. It is duly registered to work under foreign Donation Acts of the country and for operating micro-credit activities.
Shalom is implementing major programs focusing on Poverty, Food Security and Nutrition, Climate Change, Vulnerability and Disaster Risk Management, Local Advocacy and Rights Program, Women and Youth Empowerment programs, Income Generation and diversified activities, Community health and care for Leprosy patients, Humanitarian Response, Strengthening Institutional development and Peace building.
Shalom is an active member of different national and international Alliances and Networks including, Anglican Alliance, A coordinating body of Development Agencies in Bangladesh (ADAB), Community Health Global Network (CHGN), Credit and Development Forum (CDF), Disaster Management Bureau Government of Bangladesh, Global Mix Market New York, USA, Network on Climate Change Bangladesh (NCC,B) and the Voluntary Health Service Agency (VHSS).
Shalom is governed by an Executive Committee composed of 10 members, elected every 3 years by the General Body in which there are 31 members.
The General Body members are selected through the nomination of the Synod of the Church of Bangladesh consisting of CoB members, people from other faiths and development professionals. The Director of Shalom is the secretary (Ex-officio) of the Executive Body who oversees the administration of Shalom. Shalom covers a working area comprising 17 Districts, reaching 21,000 households and a total of 1, 15,000 people.
Vision
‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full’ (John 10:10, Holy Bible). From this lesson of the
‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full’ (John 10:10, Holy Bible). From this lesson of the Lord Jesus Christ, Shalom envisions a society free from exploitation where basic human rights are ensured through establishing compassionate LOVE and JUSTICE, and all the needs of the people are met, enabling them to live with all creation in a state of fair integration and PEACE.
Mission
Inspired by the directive of Jesus to ‘Love the neighbors as yourself’ (Mark 12:31, Holy Bible), Shalom sets out its mission to assist the deprived and vulnerable by being a catalyst to build their capacity for sustainable development towards attaining fullness of life.
The Core Thematic Issues Addressing
1. Food and Livelihood Security
Improving access to technologies, information and resource bases; increasing access to public and private services; and establishing better linkage to market and financial institutions is the goal of this program component. To reach the goal target beneficiaries are supported through training on agricultural issues and income generating activities. As a result members are enjoying additional income for their family and able to meet daily needs.
2. Community Health and Nutrition
Providing preventive community based health services and referral facilities; improving knowledge for better nutrition management with special focus on women and children; and ensuring proper sanitation and access to safe water. Shalom provided support through women’s group members through awareness sessions, training, orientation, vaccination, source of safe drinking water and treatment for leprosy patient. Gradually hygiene habits are changing.
3. Humanitarian Response, Rights and Social Security
Raising knowledge and capacity to prevent and protect lives from destructions, trafficking, epidemic, endemic, displacement, drugs, violence and so on. Shalom reached targeted people through awareness sessions during the group meetings. Now members are aware of the issues and disseminating the knowledge to others. At the same time Shalom experienced in humanitarian response activities for most vulnerable people.
4. Gender Equality and Development
Raising knowledge about the importance and necessity of gender equality irrespective of gender; and empowering women in terms of economic and social power in the family and society. Women and adolescents have received awareness on gender related issues. As a result women are now raising their issues in community meetings and taking steps to resolve the issues.
5. Climate Change and Disaster Risks Management
Building capacity on preparedness, responses, protection, adaptation, mitigation and rehabilitation in disaster and in context of climate changes. Targeted group members have received orientation and are actively involved in the disaster management committees at local level.
6. Target People’s Organizations Development and Strengthening
Developing and increasing knowledge of the targeted people about their rights and acquiring leadership capacity to build their own organization for mobilizing necessary supports, services and benefits from Developing and increasing knowledge of target groups about their rights and acquiring leadership capacity to build their own organizations for mobilizing necessary support, services and benefits from different sources such as government departments/ agencies, local government institutions (LGIs), NGOs and private sectors. Targeted group members have received orientation on group management and leadership to operate the group effectively. Now they are planning to form village organizations to ensure rights from the duty bearers.
7. Ethnic Community Development
Enabling those within ethnic communities to acquire and hold land resources; improving skill and competency to use the resources for more production; supporting the groups to protect and promote their identity and heritage, and sustain their existence in the society with full dignity in parallel with the mainstream society. Targeted group members have received orientation on land rights and few of them were financially supported to pay back their mortgage loan and protect their land rights for their families.
Management of Shalom
Chairman
Most Revd. Samuel S Mankhin
Vice Chairman
Rt. Revd. Shourabh Pholia
Rt. Revd. Hemen Halder,
Bishop of Kushtia Diocese
Treasurer
Mr. Labio Bala
Director
Mr. Senoy Sarkar
senoyshalom@gmail.com
Front Desk
Central Office
Telephone: +88-02-47111017
Address
Shalom
St. Thomas’ Cathedral
54 Johnson Road, Dhaka- 1100
Bangladesh.