Bangladesh is a country facing the most pressing challenges, It is the eighth-most populous country in the world, with a population exceeding 163 million people, in an area of 147,570 square kilometres making it one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Bangladesh is located on the Bay of Bengal. Most of the country is dominated by the fertile Ganges Delta, the largest river delta in the world. Now this is fertile land due to flooding and the silt that is left behind. So there are many farming communities there. But most of this land is less than 12 m above sea level, and it is estimated that about 10% of its land would be flooded if the sea level were to rise by 1 m.
Friendship began its operations in 2002 pioneering the first NGO-run hospital ship in the world for the most unaddressed and deprived communities in the world living on river islands, called chars, of the mighty Jamuna River (Brahmaputra) in Bangladesh.
It soon became clear that to make a lasting impact on people’s lives other issues had to be resloved. Due to their geographical remoteness and exposure to environmental volatility resulting from the climate change, the people of the Northern river areas and Southern Coastal belt of Bangladesh have little or no access to healthcare, education and other public services and lack opportunities to escape a life of extreme poverty. Friendship NGO has chosen to focus its operations primarily on these remote rural areas and to adopt a holistic approach.
Friendship is a needs-based and values-driven organisation, deeply embedded in the communities where it works. They focus on understanding local situations and identifying gaps that they can fill, and we always do so in consultation and inclusion with the communities.
Since February 6, Friendship operate a Pop-Up Store at 33 Grand Rue in Luxembourg. There they promote handmade items produces in our vocational training centers in Bangladesh, but also present the activities of the NGO in general.
One highlight at the Pop Up is the exhibition of replicas boats made by the last carpenters of Bangladesh.
Craftsmen in Bangladesh on a traditional river and sea faring craft.
Through these replicas boats, all the ancestral know-how of the carpenters is preserved and passed down through the generations. This artisanal work allows many a way of life and to continue to make a living in a fast changing world.
Another exhibition of note is from renowned photographer Yann Arthus Bertrand, the images were shot during his time in Bangladesh.
Yann Arthus Bertrand images of the Delta region
Wasama Doja, who is in charge of the Cultural Preservation sector within
Friendship and passionate about these ancient boats speaks to Lisa along with Esmérelda Chupin, from Friendship to discuss the work the NGO does.