Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DA (Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM))

Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM) is a leading non-government organization (NGO) of Bangladesh established with the motto of ‘Divine and Humanitarian Service’ in 1958 by Hazrat Khanbahadur Ahsanullah (r). an eminent educationist, social reformer and spiritual leader of the Indian sub-continent. The founding aim of DAM is the social and spiritual development of the human community at large. DAM made paradigm shift in the mid-seventies from welfare to development approach with programme operation primarily in education and human development sectors. Since that time DAM has been diversifying its development interventions with expansion of programme coverage both geographically and in population. With its multifaceted and diversified programmes and activities DAM is now in a very unique position to work with the people, particularly the disadvantaged, with need-based services toward improvement of their living conditions.

Dhaka Ahsania Mission launched first community learning centre, locally known as Gonokendra, in 1987. The centre is meant for lifelong learning and community development. There are more than 100 Gonokendras across the country, of which five are ICT-based. As the objectives of the centres were sharing knowledge and information, they started with traditional tools. Each of the centres is functioning as a community-based information centre of local GO-NGO extension departments. People can come to the centres to read newspapers and exchange experience, learn from success stories, get information about innovations, which can improve their livelihoods. A few centres started using computer for interactive information communication. However, these centres do not have any Internet connection.

Vision: The vision of DAM is a society of people, the disadvantaged population groups/communities in particular, free from poverty, experiencing a social transformation for fulfillment of basic rights and having an improved social, economic and spiritual living.

Main area of focus:
ICT for Development (ICT4D)
Training , Capacity building, Material development & resources mobilisation
Education
Livelihood Development
Health
Human Rights

Key Activities:
Non-formal Education, Literacy and Continuing Education
Establishment of a Science & Technology University
Establishment of a modern Cancer & General Hospital
Vocational/Skills Training
Food security and Agriculture
Microcredit
Water, Sanitation and Public Health
Anti drug and tobacco movement
Access Health and empowerment
Research
Training and material development
Anti human trafficking movement
Disaster risk reduction
Climetchange issues
Child and adolescent protection

Geographic coverage (District wise): More tha two third of the country including Dhaka, Manikganj, Gazipur, Narsindi, Mymensing, Jamalpur, Kishoreganj, Panchagar, Dinajpur, Rangpur, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Sherpur, Netrokona, Sylhet, Sunamganj, Habiganj, Moulivibazar, Kushtia, Meherpur, Jhenidah, Chuadanga, Jessore, Satkhira, Barisal, Pirojpur, Patuakhali, Barguna, Bhola, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chittagong, Rangamati, Khagrachari, Banderban

Target groups:
Out of School Children and Adults
Unskilled Manpower
Disaster Prone Population
HIV/AIDS Victims
Woman and children vulnerable to trafficking and violence
People in hard to reach areas

Affiliation and membership:
Bangladesh Telecentre Network (BTN)
Member, Consultative Status with UN ECOSOC
Member, Operational Relationship with UNESCO
Member, Associate Status with UNDPI
Member, Asia-South Pacific Bureau of Adult Education
Member, International Council of Adult Education
Member, APPEAL Resource & Training Consortium.