Project and Programs
HIV/AIDS Prevention Program
REO aspires to build an ADIS free society where everyone will be aware and conscious about spread and prevention of HIV/AIDSthrough united efforts. Bangladesh is a developing country with a population of 1.6 million people. Health care facilities and information services are so low. In 2005, REO observed that the potential of HIV/AIDS epidemic in Bangladesh is very high. HIV/AIDS are increasing in the country as well as in the working area. So, REO has decided to fight against the ongoing destroy of HIV/AIDS. But it has not enough economical ability for conducting this fight. This time, The Mercury Phoenix Trust, Uk provides us directly financial support and all kinds of advices. They continue support our efforts. We conducting this program in the Jashore, Narail and Jhenaidah district in Bangladesh. It is closed to India and Bangladesh border. This is far from Dhaka capital city 320 kilometers in – Southwest corner of Bangladesh. Some significant activities: Awareness raising training, sensitize/Behavior change training, Education and consciousness raising training, Community meeting, Seminar, Workshop, Folksong drama shows, Celebration of world AIDS Day, Poster and leaflets display etc. Transport and industrial workers, Sex workers, Teachers, Pair groups, Community adult people and all level community folk etc.
The organization has been implementing this program in Mohespur upazila of Jhanidah district with the financial support of the Mercury Phoenix Trust Switzerland to reducethe spread and infection of HIV/AIDS through consciousness and awareness activities. Under this program the organization has arranged different activities like community meeting, conduct training courses, organize seminar & workshop, IEC materials publication, celebration AIDS Day etc. towards developing knowledge and conscious about HIV/AIDS of sex workers, call girls, migrant women, transport workers, school teachers, religious/village leaders & other community people in the project area. The Mercury Phoenix Trust has been supporting REO since 2006.
Rural Women Development Project
This is the land where a large number of women were passing their life with pain only for their illiteracy, poverty and unconscious. They were the victim of male dominated social custom, discrimination, unjust and unemployment problem. Torturing of the women was a regular incident. In spite of the desire of uplifting in the society, they were right less, voiceless and helpless. In these circumstances, REO is working for the improvement of their existing painful life. Local people of the locality sounded positively as a large number of women benefited by the project. But women of the rest area were very miserable. They were deprived, neglected and tortured in their life. Considering of those women’s demand and necessities.
Key Program Activities
To achieve its goals, the project implements a range of targeted activities:
- Knowledge and Capacity Development Training: Equipping leaders of the Community Women Rights Protection Committee (CWRPC) with essential skills to advocate for women’s rights.
- Consciousness-Raising Training: Educating participants on women’s rights to promote awareness and empowerment.
- Gender Relation Development Training: Engaging young girls and boys to foster equitable gender perspectives and relationships.
- Skill and Capacity Development Training: Providing unemployed women and girls with practical skills for income-generating activities to enhance economic independence.
- Advocacy Meetings: Engaging community members to build support for women’s empowerment and rights.
- Seminars and Workshops: Facilitating discussions and knowledge-sharing to address gender issues and promote solutions.
- Publications: Disseminating informational materials to raise awareness and educate communities.
- Celebration of World Women’s Day: Organizing events to highlight women’s contributions and advocate for gender equality.
Through these efforts, REO’s Rural Women Development Project aims to uplift women from lives of hardship, enabling them to achieve liberty, financial security, and a stronger social standing.
Handicrafts Project
A skill and capacity development training program was implemented to empower unemployed women and girls through income-generating opportunities. The initiative successfully conducted four training batches focused on equipping participants with practical skills for sustainable livelihoods. A total of 2,00,000 women and girls benefited from the program, gaining expertise in various income-generating occupations.The training was designed to address the economic challenges faced by unemployed women and girls, providing them with the tools and knowledge to achieve financial independence. Each batch emphasized hands-on learning, covering skills relevant to local market demands, such as handicrafts, tailoring, food processing, or other viable trades. The curriculum also included capacity-building modules to enhance participants’ confidence, entrepreneurial mindset, and business management abilities.
Participants demonstrated improved proficiency and readiness to engage in income-generating activities. The initiative not only fostered economic empowerment but also promoted social inclusion and self-reliance among the trainees. The success of the fifty batches highlights the program’s effectiveness in creating meaningful opportunities for women and girls, contributing to their economic and personal growth. This effort underscores the importance of targeted skill development programs in addressing unemployment and fostering sustainable livelihoods for marginalized groups.
Gender Relation Development Training for Young Girls and Boys
A gender relations development training program was conducted to foster understanding and promote gender equity among young girls and boys. The initiative successfully implemented four batches of training, engaging a total of 100 participants. The program aimed to enhance knowledge and reshape perceptions about gender justice, gender gaps, gender equity, and responsibilities to build a women-favorable society.The training focused on interactive sessions that addressed critical topics such as gender stereotypes, societal roles, and the importance of equitable relationships. Participants explored concepts of fairness, respect, and shared responsibilities through workshops, discussions, and practical activities tailored to their age group. The curriculum focused on raising awareness of gender disparities and equipping participants with the tools to advocate for positive change in their communities.
End of the program, the 30,000 young girls and boys demonstrated a deeper understanding of gender dynamics and a commitment to promoting inclusive, equitable relationships. The training empowered them to challenge harmful norms and contribute to creating a society that supports women’s rights and gender equality. The success of the four batches underscores the program’s impact in fostering informed and socially responsible youth, laying the foundation for a more equitable future.
Child Education Program
The Child Education Program stands as one of REO’s most impactful and widely recognized initiatives. Launched in 2007 with generous technical and financial support from BRAC-Dhaka, this program was born from a heartfelt need voiced by our female beneficiaries—mothers who longed for better educational opportunities for their children. In response, REO carried out a flexible needs assessment to explore the viability of such a program in the targeted communities. The findings were clear: there was both a strong demand and a meaningful opportunity to make a difference. Acting swiftly, REO established 15 Pre-Child Education Schools, initially enrolling 450 children, both girls and boys, across three unions in the Sharsha Upazila of Jashore District. The response from the community was overwhelmingly positive. Encouraged by the success, REO expanded the initiative, gradually increasing the number of schools and touching the lives of thousands of students, many of whom have since successfully transitioned out of the program and into mainstream education. Beyond academics, these schools became community hubs. They hosted Guardians’ Day events and offered vital awareness sessions on primary healthcare, kitchen gardening, prevention of early marriage, child labor, and violence against women. These efforts helped strengthen the social fabric and empowered families with knowledge and support. The Child Education Program continues to be a shining example of how community-driven development, backed by thoughtful planning and support, can uplift generations