.jpg)
According to a UNESCO survey, 15 percent of people in developing countries are handicapped in some way. Most of them live in poverty. Daulatdia under Goland upazila in the southern part of Bangladesh is basically a river port area. It is also called the Gateway of South Bengal. In pursuit of livelihood, different classes of people from different areas gather here. Family and socially neglected, abused and poor people with disability from different parts of the country also come here. The number of people with disability in this area is increasing day by day. A survey found that there were 450 floating PWDs in the area.
On the other hand, geographically, a total
area of 2179 square kilometers of Paturia and Daulatdia of the said upazila is
affected by Padma River. Being an area prone to floods and river erosion, the
people of this area continue to suffer. The people with disabilities are
affected the most. Again, due to ignorance they are deprived of various basic
and state rights. Due to the disaster-prone area, no employment has been
created here despite the possibility. On the other hand, most of the people in
this area have become destitute due to the erosion of the river. However, no
employment has been created for them. Due to lack of education, ignorance and
superstition, PWDs and their parents in this region have to be insulted and
abused.
Therefore, with the aim of ensuring
socio-economic development and civil benefits and rights of this large number
of backward people with disability and underdeveloped, poverty-stricken people,
the organization started a journey with local people including about 250 people
with disability since 1998. After that, Goalanda Upazila Protibondhi Unnayan Sangastha
was founded in 01/01/2013 under Goalanda Upazila of Rajbari District, with
consisting of people from all walks of life, whose nickname is GUPUS. At that
time GUPUS worked only in Daulatdia Ghat areas under Goalanda Upazila of Rajbari
with the aim of realizing the rights of the members. Its activities are
gradually expanded. The members of the organization stand and help by
each-other in various dangers. The members pay cooperative monthly
subscriptions to change their fortunes and develop the organization. Local
people were impressed by their activities and practices and came forward to
support the development of the organization. Goalanda Upazila Protibondhi
Unnayan Sangastha was registered on 26/08/2021 by Directorate of Social
Services of Ministry of Social Welfare of Bangladesh on the basis of
satisfactory activities.
Goalanda Upazila Protibondhi Unnayan
Sangastha (GUPUS) believes that it is not possible to accelerate the real
development of people with disability if they cannot develop
socio-economically. And the precondition of socio-economic development is
skilled human resources. Therefore, GUPUS is providing training and capital in
various trades in collaboration with various organizations to transform
disabled people into skilled human resources.
GUPUS manufactures and markets various
handicrafts such as beaded bags, Broom Making, children's clothing, and brooms.
GUPUS has provided relief assistance to
about the numbers of 1000 PWDs and the needy including goats, chickens and
goats with the help of different local donors and government support.
Apart from this, the organization has made
three battery-powered rickshaws suitable for PWDs and renting them out to
disabled people. The money earned from all these sources is being used for the
development work of the organization.
GUPUS is always working towards improving
the quality of life of people with disabilities, restoring a safe society for
people with disabilities, ensuring access to basic rights, providing assistance
to the helpless and building an inclusive society and state.
