Zakat Foundation™ Bangladesh Annual Report 2003: Empowering Communities Through Zakat
Zakat Foundation™ Bangladesh (ZFB) is a leading non-profit organization in Bangladesh that aims to eradicate poverty and empower marginalized communities through the collection and distribution of Zakat, a form of obligatory charity in Islam. Since its inception in 1993, ZFB has been working tirelessly to alleviate the sufferings of the poor and needy in Bangladesh through various projects and programs. In this article, we will delve into the ZFB Annual Report for the year 2003 and examine the organization's accomplishments, challenges, and future plans.
The ZFB Annual Report for 2003 reveals that the organization had a successful year in terms of fundraising and project implementation. The total Zakat collection for the year was BDT 59,662,240, which was a significant increase from the previous year's collection of BDT 43,765,513. This increase in Zakat collection allowed ZFB to expand its operations and implement new projects for the benefit of the poor and needy.
One of the most significant achievements of ZFB in 2003 was the implementation of the "Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project" in the Satkhira and Jessore districts of Bangladesh. This project aimed to provide safe drinking water and improved sanitation facilities to the rural population of these areas. ZFB constructed 89 deep tube wells, 6 water treatment plants, and 670 latrines under this project, benefiting over 36,000 people. The project also included community mobilization and hygiene education activities to promote behavior change towards water and sanitation practices.
Another noteworthy project implemented by ZFB in 2003 was the "Rehabilitation and Empowerment of Acid Survivors" project. This project aimed to provide medical treatment, rehabilitation, and livelihood support to acid attack survivors in Bangladesh. ZFB partnered with a local organization, Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF), to implement this project. The project provided medical treatment to 47 acid survivors and helped them start small businesses to become self-reliant.
ZFB also continued its efforts to provide education to underprivileged children through the "Orphan Sponsorship Program" and the "Education Support Program." The Orphan Sponsorship Program provided financial and emotional support to orphans, while the Education Support Program provided scholarships and educational materials to underprivileged children. In 2003, ZFB provided education support to 6,014 children and sponsored 510 orphans.
Despite these accomplishments, the ZFB Annual Report for 2003 also highlights some challenges faced by the organization. One of the major challenges was the lack of adequate Zakat collection centers and volunteers in rural areas. ZFB relies heavily on its volunteers to collect Zakat from individuals and organizations. However, the lack of volunteers in rural areas makes it difficult for ZFB to reach out to potential Zakat donors in those areas.
Another challenge faced by ZFB was the increasing competition from other Zakat collection and distribution organizations in Bangladesh. While the number of Zakat organizations has increased in recent years, the pool of Zakat donors has remained relatively stagnant. This has led to increased competition for Zakat funds among the organizations.
Looking towards the future, the ZFB Annual Report for 2003 outlines the organization's plans to expand its operations and reach out to more beneficiaries. ZFB plans to increase its Zakat collection centers and volunteers in rural areas to reach out to more potential donors. The organization also plans to implement new projects in the areas of health, education, and livelihood support.
In conclusion, the Zakat Foundation™ Bangladesh Annual Report for 2003 highlights the organization's successes, challenges, and future plans. ZFB's commitment to eradicating poverty and empowering marginalized communities through Zakat is commendable