Project ViviFY a personal outreach

Shamim left his family and gratefully took up construction work in Singapore. 7 months later his company closed and he had to return to Bangladesh. He had paid $8700 to agents to secure this work, none of which was refundable. Fortunately, he didn't have any debts to pay. But ..most in this situation do.

The workers are then sent back to their home countries ... no work and debts to pay. Andrew says, "When Shamim first told me of his circumstances, before he went back to Bangladesh, I remember him simply saying, 'Oh uncle, all I want is to develop my life', and I just had to think ... it can't be that hard." Shamim was lucky again when he was able to return to Singapore, however, only to fall victim to a workplace accident. There is little chance he will go abroad again.

So .. let's do it! Let's give Shamim his dream of having land and cows. But ...typical of Shamim's character, he wants to share the good fortune. Together, Shamim, Andrew and I dream of creating small income generation projects where returning workers are given work by priority. It may not solve all their problems, but it will help them to maintain their sense of self-worth and continue to put food on the table for their families.

This project is our first. It will work. And it will work because of the high level of trust we have developed between us. It will work because, unlike some theories about project development, this involves few people to manage from the outset. From the beginning, Andrew passionately believed in the power of keeping it simple and that private ownership in responsible hands - supervised and accountable, is a winner!

Please help us!

We look forward to reporting on the progress!!

Jacquie, Andrew and Shamim