6.

Findings of the Study

6.1 Introduction

The study area is beside international river of Bangladesh, Brahmaputra. It is a poor rural area
where maximum population lives under poverty. Most people here don’t have the ability to
meet their daily basic needs. Government support is very limited in this area. To live a better
life, people in this area are hugely dependant on Non-Governmental Organizations or NGOs.
NGOs in the study area are working in rural development through different projects and
programs with the vision-

“to make a society free from starvation, oppression and exploitation where every individual
will be able to live in peace and harmony and to enjoy the rightful share resources belonging
to the society through empowerment to powerless people and local resources
mobilization”(Hossain, 2014).

In this analysis chapter, data collected through questionnaire are analyzed and interpreted to
show the role and influence of NGOs in rural development.

6.2 Findings of the study

6.2.1 Educational background of the respondent

Education is the backbone of a nation. It is vital matter to alleviate poverty. To develop the
socio-economic condition it is a crucial instrument.

Table 6.1: Educational background of the respondent

Level of education No. of respondent Percentage (%)

Illiterate 15 3.33
Can sign only 211 46.88
Primary level 151 33.55
High school 66 14.67
Above 7 1.55
Total 450 100%
(Source: field survey, 2014)

The Table 6.1 shows the educational background of the sample respondent.

40
 6. Findings of the Study

It shows that 3.33% is illiterate, 46.88 % can sign only their name, 33.55% got primary level,
14.67 % received high school education and only 1.55% got above secondary level. From this
data it appears that the level of education of NGO loanees are not yet to be satisfactory and so,
because the rural poor are unable to change their fortune smoothly. The graphical presentation
of above tabulated data is shown in a pie diagram below.

Percentage (%) of respondent's level of educatain

2% 3%

15%
Illiterate
Can sign only
Primary level
High school
47% Above

34%

(Source: field survey, 2014)

Fig 6.1: Educational background of the respondent

6.2.2 Age-wise distribution of respondent

The age of an individual respondent is perhaps an important factor for motivating her in
accepting a new and challenging venture. An early entry surely gives her the scope for
development over a long period but late comer gets a few opportunities.

Table 6.2: Age-wise distribution of respondent

Age group(years) No. of respondent Percentage (%)

20-30 52 11.55
31-40 138 30.67
41-50 190 42.22
51 and above 70 15.56
Total 450 100%
(Source: field survey, 2014)

41
 6. Findings of the Study

The Table 6.2 indicates that 11.55% loanees’ age lies between 20-30, 30.67% whose age lies
between 31-40, 42.22% are 41-50 and 15.56% age are 51 and above. It shows that large part
of loanees belongs to the age group ranging from 41-50 year and small part is 20-30 year .It is
obviously clear that the loanees from NGOs are able to change their present economical
status.

The graphical presentation of above tabulated data is shown in a pie diagram below.

Percentage (%) of age-wise distribution of respondent

16% 12%
20-30
31-40
41-50
51<
31%

42%

(Source: field survey, 2014)

Fig 6.2: percentage of Age-wise distribution of respondent

6.2.3 Marital status of the respondent

NGOs deliver loan to the needy class people, who are may be married, unmarried, divorced
and widow. The following table shows the marital status of the respondent.

Table 6.3: Marital status of the respondent

Status No. of respondent Percentage (%)

Unmarried 00 00
Married 398 88.44
Divorced 11 2.44
Widow 41 9.11
Total 450 100
(Source: field survey, 2014)

42
 6. Findings of the Study

Above the table 6.3 shows that 88.44% respondent are married 2.44 % are divorced and
9.11% are widow. There are no unmarried respondent in the study. It cleared that unmarried
rural women are not in a position to conduct trade or business because they have to abide by
cultural and religious practices of the society.

The graphical presentation of above tabulated data is shown in a pie diagram below.

(%) of respondents' maritat status

2% 9%

Unmarried
Married
Divorced
Widow

88%

(Source: field survey, 2014)

Fig 6.3: Percentage (%) of marital status of the respondent

6.2.4 NGOs role in economic development by eradicating rural poverty

The NGOs in the study area have taken some significant initiatives to handle the poverty
situation in Bangladesh considering certain aspects stated below:

a) Speedier economic growth achievement process

b) Human Resource development

c) Specific target setting for poor

Hence, a combined strategy considering all three stated aspects is necessary to undertake. In
the following section, as a follow up/ part of these combined strategies, some key activities
already commenced by NGOs are discussed.

43
 6. Findings of the Study

A. Humanitarian Progress and Structural Development of Organizations for Poor

Despite the fact that poor people have vast experience about life, still they are incapable of
developing exact ways to scientifically analyze and fix their problems and whatever
possessions they have. In this case, efforts of the NGOs are worth mentioning to help these
people analyze the society and problems in the backdrop of old, superstitious, anti life
perspectives. For example: primary training, improved training, organizing exchange of views
program among different groups or areas regular adult education activities, weekly analytical
discussion etc. Different NGOs are playing essential role for humanitarian development
through joint analysis and seeking solution through different seminars and workshops, joint
social activities, and application of socio-economic projects. Besides, they have introduced
certain essential concepts like developing small groups, credit based cooperatives, mother
welfare society and cooperatives etc. for homeless/ landless etc. and thus have strengthened
the root of organizational structure for rural poverty.

B. Employment Generation

In order to encourage the rural poor to participate in different economic activities and to
increase their income through employment generation; several policies, methods and
strategies of the NGOs have attracted the attention of some foreign development experts.
NGOs usually create employment in two ways.

First of all, they provide employment in their own organization since they also need human
resource to operate.

Secondly, they provide loans and management assistance to individuals, which create new
employment opportunity.

Currently the projects that are being conducted under the supervision and assistance of
different NGOs in the study area are:

 Irrigation project for landless

 Fishery in ponds (khash), fishing in the coastal area.
 Weaving
 Equipment supplies for landless share cropper

44
 6. Findings of the Study

 Small business
 Rice and popcorn production
 Sericulture
 Handicrafts i.e., earthen wares, wood and cane works
 Developing nursery.

Besides, they are providing training to hundreds of men and women on vaccination and
treatment of domestic animals and poultry, construction of sanitary laboratory and slabs; to be
mechanics of pump machine or rice/paddy mills etc. Thus they are significantly contributing
in eradication of poverty by providing the above-mentioned essentials.

C. Organizing Groups and Participation of the Beneficiaries

One very important and effective innovation by NGOs is the strategy of organizing group
wise meeting. As a result, participation of the true beneficiaries and direct objective setup is
possible to achieve economic target. Besides, it is an effective element in making the loan
scheme (to economically empower the poor) successful. This type of meeting keeps up for
the poor the trend of empowerment and awareness along with raise in their entitlement.

D. Micro Credit

Overall economic development is essential for poverty eradication at the rural level. Besides,
employment generation, per head income and scheme to increase savings is required so that a
sustainable development and poverty reduction can be seen for the poor. The identification of
loan as a significant necessity for sustainable economic development for the poor as well as
developing an effective method for meeting the demand for loan is a competent model of
poverty eradication. The micro credit scheme launched by Grameen Bank and also other
NGOs is now established and working for its success in poverty eradication. Different NGOs
so far have given (June 2014) 6.35 crore taka micro-credit loans. The number of people
enjoying such benefits is 30,000. Presented below briefly is the data on five major NGOs
working in the study area and their micro credit scheme.

45
 6. Findings of the Study

Table 6.4: Credit distribution of few NGOs in the study area

Sl. No. Name of NGOs Cumulative credit distribution (in crore taka)

1. BRAC 1.53
2. Grameen Bank 1.37
3. ASHA 1.25
4. RDRS 1.20
5. Satata Songostha (SS) 1.00
Total=6.35
(Source: field survey, 2014)

Table 6.4 shows that, BRAC is the prime NGO working in the study area based on the
distribution of credit (cumulative). BRAC has distributed 1.53 crore taka to the beneficiaries,
Grameen Bank has distributed 1.37 crore taka and other three NGOs have distributed rest.
This credit is distributed to the beneficiaries according to their needs and the loanees use this
money for economic purposes mainly.

The graphical presentation of above tabulated data is shown in a column diagram below.

Distributed credit by 5 NGOs

1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2
1
Taka (crore)

0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
BRAC Grameen Bank ASHA RDRS Satata Songostha
(SS)

(Source: field survey, 2014)

Fig 6.4: Credit (tk) distribution of few major NGOs

46
 6. Findings of the Study

6.2.5 Time required for getting loan

For the effective utilization of credit, it is possibly necessary to use the required amount of
credit in time .Non timely credit makes a man inefficient. Below the table present the timing
of NGOs loan dispass.

Table 6.5: Time required for getting loan by respondent

Days No. of respondent Percentage (%)

1-7 294 65.33
8-15 122 27.11
15 & above 34 7.56
Total 450 100
(Source: field survey, 2014)

The Table 6.5 shows that the time gap between submission of proposal and receipt of the
amount from 1-7 days of 65.33 %, 8-15 days of 27.11 % and 15 and above days of 7.56 %
respondent. It is clear from the table that the respondents receive the loan in timely.

6.2.6 Amounts spent in taking loan

Loans are to be incurred cost for purchasing of passbook, revenue stamp traveling expenses
etc.

Table 6.6: Amounts (tk) spent in taking loan

Expenses (Tk) No. of respondent Percentage (%)

1-10 235 52.22
10-20 169 37.56
20 & above 46 10.22
Total 450 100
(Source: field survey, 2014)

The Table 6.6 shows that majority respondent that is 52.22 % respondents spent about 10 taka
37.56 % spent 11-20 taka and 10.22 % respondent spent 20 and above taka for getting loan
from NGOs. It is clearly seen that the amount of expenses for receiving loans is not so
significant.

47
 6. Findings of the Study

6.2.7 Payment of installment

The repayment of borrowed money along with interest according to the agreed schedule is an
indication about the improvement in the financial health of the respondent.

Table 6.7: Type of payment of installment

Payment of installment No. of respondents Percentage (%)

Regular 418 92.89
Irregular 32 7.11
Total 450 100
(Source: field survey, 2014)

The Table 6.7 shows that the respondents found to be very much sound in experiencing loan
repayment culture. The data provide an indication that there is a positive influence of NGOs
operation on strengthening the credit repayment ability of the respondents through a marked
improvement in their income.

6.2.8 Purpose of taking loans

Table 6.8: Purpose of taking loans of the respondent

Purpose No. of respondents Percentage (%)

Business purpose 139 30.89
Living purpose 101 22.44
Debt payment 76 16.89
Building house 58 12.89
Treatment purpose 31 6.89
Others 45 10
Total 450 100
(Source: field survey, 2014)

Table 6.8 shows the purposes of taking loan of the respondent. 139 respondents have shown
business purpose which is 30.89% of the respondent. 22.44% has shown living purpose and
16.89% of respondent has shown debt payment as their purpose of taking loans from the
NGOs.

48
 6. Findings of the Study

The graphical presentation of above tabulated data is shown in a column diagram below.

Percentage (%) of loan purpose

35

30

25
percentage (%)

20

15

10

0
Business Living purpose Debt payment Building house Treatment Others
purpose purpose

(Source: field survey, 2014)

Fig 6.5: Purpose of taking loans

Table 6.9: Actual uses of loan taken by the respondents

Uses No. of respondents Percentage (%)

Business purpose 88 30.89
Living purpose 134 22.44
Debt payment 113 16.89
Building house 35 12.89
Treatment purpose 23 6.89
Others 57 10
Total 450 100
(Source: field survey, 2014)

49
 6. Findings of the Study

The graphical presentation of above tabulated data is shown in a column diagram below.

Purpose & Actual uses of loan

160
140
120
No. of respondents

100
80
60
40
20
0
Business Living purpose Debt payment Building house Treatment Others
purpose purpose

(Source: field survey, 2014)

Fig 6.6: Purpose & Actual uses of loans

Fig 6.6 shows purpose and actual uses of loan taken from NGOs. It is shown that, though
majority of the respondents (139 respondents)) have shown business as main purpose but
majority of respondents actually uses the loan in living purposes (134 respondents) and in
debt payment (113 respondents).

The main reason behind this is to support the family to live, dowry, children education, etc.
which they cannot pay often because of their poor economic condition.

6.2.9 Income of respondents before and after joining NGO

Income status is the important measurement of the respondents’ economical condition. The
table shows the economical positions respondents before joining and after joining the NGO.

50
 6. Findings of the Study

Table 6.10: Monthly income of the respondents before and after joining NGOs

No. of people (%) of people

Monthly Income
before joining after joining before joining after joining
(tk)
NGO NGO NGO NGO

1000-3000 109 46 24.22 10.22

3001-4000 117 71 26 15.78
4001-5000 74 107 16.44 23.78
5001-6000 67 97 14.90 21.56
6001-8000 43 62 9.55 13.78
8001-10000 21 37 4.67 8.22
10001-15000 12 19 2.67 4.22
15001-above 7 11 1.55 2.44
Total 450 450 100 (%) 100 (%)
(Source: field survey, 2014)

The table 6.10 shows that, most of the respondent’s (26%) monthly income was 3001-4000
taka and next was 1001-3000 taka (24.22%) before joining the NGOs. But after joining the
NGO, they received loans and used it to economic purpose and majority respondents’ income
changes positively. It is shown that, now 23.78 percent respondents’ income is 4100-5000
taka per month and 21.56% respondents’ income is 5001-6000 per month. It is clear that the
change of income pattern because of receiving loans from NGO is so significant.

51
 6. Findings of the Study

The graphical presentation of above tabulated data is shown in a column diagram below.

Monthly Income (tk) before & after joining NGO

140
120
No. of respondent

100
80
60
No. of people (before)
40
20 No. of people (after)
0
1000- 3001- 4001- 5001- 6001- 8001- 10001 15001
3000 4000 5000 6000 8000 10000 - -above
15000

Monthly income (TK)

(Source: field survey, 2014)

Fig 6.7: Monthly Income (tk) before & after joining NGO

6.2.10 Capital (tk) of respondent before and after becoming NGO member

In the study area, NGOs provide loan in various sectors. The destitute class people utilize
these loans and create a capital fund after release NGO loan.

Table 6.11: Capital of respondent before and after joining NGO

Capital size Before joining After joining NGO

(Taka) No. of Percentage No. of Percentage
respondent (%) respondent (%)
0-10000 133 29.55 28 6.22
10000-15000 180 40 70 15.55
15000-20000 104 23.11 194 43.11
20000-25000 21 4.67 103 22.90
25000-above 12 2.67 55 12.22
Total 450 100% 450 100%
(Source: field survey, 2014)

52
 6. Findings of the Study

The Table 6.11 represents that, more than 29.55 percent of the total loanees had capital up to
taka 10000 before joining any NGO. 40 percent, 23.11 percent, 4.67 percent, and 2.67 percent
of the total loanees had capital 10000-15000, 15000-20000. 20000- 25000 and 25000- above
respectively. But after taking the loan from NGOs, only 6.22 percent of the total respondent
capital up below taka 10000 and 15.55 percents’ capital range is TK. 10000-15000, 43.11
percents’ capital range is TK 15000-20000, 22.90 percents’ capital range is TK 20000-25000
and 12.22 percent capital range is TK 25000 and above. It is obvious that, the loanees’ capital
has increased after becoming NGO member.

The graphical presentation of above tabulated data is shown in a column diagram below:

Capital of respondents before & after joining NGOs

250
200
No. of respondent

150
100
No. of respondent (before)
50
0 No. of respondent (after)
0-10000 10000- 15000- 20000- 25000-
15000 20000 25000 above
Capital (Tk)

(Source: field survey, 2014)

Fig 6.8: Capital (tk) of respondent before & after joining NGO

53
 6. Findings of the Study

6.2.11 Source of income of the people of study area

Table 6.12: Source of income (2011)

Source of Income Rate (%) (2001)

Agricultural sector 77.40
Non-agricultural laborer 3.57
Industry 0.80
Commerce 6.40
Transport and communication 0.57
Non-agricultural sector 22.60
Service 3.25
Construction 0.49
Religious service 0.15
Rent and remittance 0.07
Others 7.30
Total 100%
(Source: Bangladesh Population Census, 2011)

Table 6.13: Change in source of Income after NGO membership

Source of Income No. of people Rate (%) of people

Agricultural sector 261 58
Non-agricultural sector 189 42
Total= Total=100 (%)
(Source: field survey, 2014)

Table 6.12 shows that, in 2011, source of income was- Agricultural sector (77.40%) & Non-
agricultural sector (22.60%). But, table 6.13 shows that, after becoming NGO member, rate
(%) of source of income has changed notably to non-agricultural sector in the present time.
The rate (%) is, 58% for Agricultural sector & 42% for Non-agricultural sector.

The graphical presentation of above tabulated data is shown in a column diagram below:

54
 6. Findings of the Study

Changes (%) in source of income

90
80
percentage (%) of respondent

70
60
50
Agricultural
40 Non-agricultural
30
20
10
0
year 2011 year 2014
Year (2011 & 2014)

(Source: field survey, 2014)

Fig 6.9: Changes (%) in source of income of the people

6.2.12 Changes in economic condition by taking loan from NGOs

Table 6.14: Changes in economic condition by taking loan from NGOs

People thinking Changes Yes No (%) answering (%) answering

in Economic condition ‘YES’ ‘NO’
by taking NGO loan 335 115 74.44 25.56
Total=450 Total= 100%
(Source: field survey, 2014)

Table 6.14 shows that, 74.44 % of the respondents are thinking that they have changes in
economic condition by taking loan from NGO.

Table 6.15: Nature of Changes in economic condition of the respondents

Changes in Economic No. of People (%) of People

condition
Positive Change 270 60
Negative Change 180 40
Total=450 Total=100 (%)
(Source: field survey, 2014)

55
 6. Findings of the Study

Table 6.15 shows that, 60% of the respondents are thinking that they have positive changes in
economic condition by taking loan from NGO and 40% thinking of negative changes.

The graphical presentation of above tabulated data is shown in a column diagram below:

Percentage (%) of Respondent

40% Positive Change

Negative Change

60%

(Source: field survey, 2014)

Fig 6.10: percentage (%) of nature of changes in economic condition of the respondents

6.2.13 Sources of drinking water

Pure drinking water is an essential requirement to ensure safe living. So, attempt was made to
know the sources of drinking water of the respondent before and after the use NGO loans and
NGOs’ development programs on this perspective.

Table 6.16: Sources of drinking water before and after the use of NGO loan

Sources Before joining NGO After joining NGO

No. of respondents (%) No. of respondents (%)
Public tube well 207 46.00 55 12.22
Neighbor’s tube-well 111 24.67 41 9.11
Personal tube-well 132 29.33 354 78.67
Total 450 100 450 100
(Source: field survey, 2014)

56
 6. Findings of the Study

Table 6.16 shows that, before legislations of loan 46.00 percent of the respondents used public
tube-well water, 24.627 percent depended on neighbor’s tube-well water and the remaining
29.33 percent relied on personal tube-well water. This position has been changed through the
NGOs operation. After the use of NGO loan, the users of personal tube-well water has
increased from 29.33 percent to 78.67 percent and percentage of public tube-well water users
decreased from 46.15 percent to 12.22 percent. The use of neighbors’ tube-well water
decreased from 24.67 percent to 9.11 percent. This bears the imprint of qualitative sign
development in the living standard of the respondents.

The graphical presentation of above tabulated data is shown in a column diagram below:

Change in source of drinking water of the respondents

400
350
300
No. of respondents

250
200 Before joining NGO
After joining NGO
150
100
50
0
Public tube well Neighbor’s tube-well Personal tube-well
Source of drinking water

(Source: field survey, 2014)

Fig 6.11: Changes in source of drinking water of the respondents

6.2.14 Nature of latrine

For healthy living standard the use of scientific latrine is indispensable. People use sanitary
latrine when their health consciousness increases along with an improvement in their financial
position.

57
 6. Findings of the Study

Table 6.17: Nature of latrine of the respondent before and after becoming NGO member

No. of respondents (%) of people

Sanitation before after before after
Types becoming becoming becoming becoming
NGO member NGO member NGO member NGO member
Non-sanitary 201 112 44.67 24.89

Sanitary latrines 97 328 21.55 72.89

No latrine 152 10 33.78 2.22

Total 450 450 100 (%) 100 (%)

(Source: field survey, 2014)

Table 6.17 presented that, before taking loan from NGO only 21.55% of respondents had
sanitary latrine and 44.67 percent used open or non-sanitary latrine which is unhygienic and
pollute the environment.

After taking loan from NGO and NGOs different sanitation programs, all the loanees who had
no sanitary latrine, have come under sanitation system. After taking loan from NGOs,
sanitation system has increased by 72.89 percent than that of before joining NGO. As a result,
numbers of open or non-sanitary latrine users are decreased by 19.78% (44.67%-24.89)
percent than that of before taking loan from NGOs. Thus the use of NGO loans appears to
have made favorable impact of the use of lavatory by the respondents.

6.2.15 Education
Table 6.18: Primary Education by NGOs

NGO schools Operated NGO No. of school No. of student Education type
Primary BRAC 150 3000 Class 1-4
Shikhon RDRS 120 2000 Primary
Anondo RSDA,RDRS 100 1500 Primary
Pre-primary SS 100 1700 Primary
Total 470 8200
(Source: field survey, 2014)

58
 6. Findings of the Study

Table 6.18 shows that, NGOs are operating 470 schools. These schools provide primary
education to 8200 children. These schools provide education to the dropped out children and
autistic children also and prepare them. These schools provide free schoolings, food, and
scholarship to encourage the children to attend school.

6.3 Main development programs of selected NGOs

1) ASA

Small loans for females, small loans for males (mainly agricultural loans for husbands of
female members initiated), small business loan, education loan, rehabilitation loan, loans to
hard-core poor and Monga loan, savings program, ASA loan insurance, Members’ Security
Fund (life insurance), health assistance program.

2) Grameen Bank

Income-generating loans, housing loans, education loans, struggling member (beggar) loans,
micro-enterprise loans, flexible loans, seasonal loans, student scholarships, life insurance,
savings program, deposit pension schemes.

3) BRAC

Economic development, health, education and social development, human rights and legal
services, peoples’ organization building, microcredit and savings services, employment and
income-generating program, etc.

4) RDRS

Economic development programs, health, education and social development programs,

Raising awareness programs, employment and income-generating programs, savings
programs, social and natural resources development, human development training, universal
education.

5) Satata Society (SS)

Raising awareness programs, human development training, microcredit and savings program,
employment and income-generating programs, disaster management and relief programs,

59
 6. Findings of the Study

women’s development, health, education and social development, income-generating loans,

housing loans.

6.4 Specific Development Programs of selected NGOs in the study area

NGOs are carrying out various development programs in the study area with the aim of rural
development. Few major programs of selected NGOs are given below:

6.4.1 Micro-credit with income generating program

As elsewhere in Bangladesh Kurigram district is agricultural based area and besides this many
people are depended on day labor. However, with population pressure and rapid changes in
the agriculture structure employment opportunities have become limited for new comers in
the labor force. More than 80% of the rural labor force needs to find jobs outside agriculture
but most of them lack the education and skill required for industrial or productive services.

NGOs in the study area have been providing credit and technical support to group members
for undertaking and operating through credit and support its member to encourage in income
generating activities like poultry, livestock, fisheries, small trading, cow rearing, goat rearing,
paddy husking, food processing and individual types of producing activities and thus they
become able to increase the income of their family.

Credit support of major NGOs in the study area is shown in table 6.4 previously.

Almost 30,000 populations (household) have become NGO member to different NGOs and
these beneficiaries are given loans according to their needs at a range of 5000 tk to 50,000 tk
and even more if they need.

6.4.2 Training programs

Training is an important subject for implementing any program and manpower development
successfully. Training is not teaching but a process of mutual sharing, process of
concretization on certain issues.

60
 6. Findings of the Study

NGOs in the study area impart demand driven training courses. Human development and
practical skills development training are provided for empowering poor women and men in
the study area.

NGOs in the study area have conducted and are conducting training programs on different
aspects of micro-credit, education, tailoring, handicrafts, health, poultry, vegetable and fruit
production, group management etc.

6.4.3 Water supply and Sanitation programs

Different NGOs have been implementing pure drinking water supply and sanitation programs
in the project area. The activities are awareness rising on school children on water &
sanitation, training on sanitation & pure water, slab ring distribution, maintenance of tube
well & installation, staff orientation, community management workshop, construction of
hygienic latrine, etc.

6.4.4 Education

Education gets top priority in every case of development affairs (Hossain, 2014).

NGOs are conducting non formal education programs in the study area. NGOs are operating
schools and providing primary education to the children in the study area. Number of schools
and students are provided previously in table 6.16. NGOs are providing free schooling and
free books to the children. NGOs provide biscuits from their own fund to encourage the
children to attend the school. They also provide rice, scholarship to the children.

Besides primary education NGOs provide night schooling for elderly people which is also
free and also NGOs provide awareness program on education informing need and importance
of education.

6.4.5 Health care

NGOs have been providing services to the community through mobile clinic in the study area
with a view to pay relief to the disadvantaged and poor groups to minimize their suffering
directly. They provide trained paramedics, nurses and part time doctors with a pre schedule
field visit at the doorstep of the beneficiaries. Besides, regular health awareness session,

61
 6. Findings of the Study

awareness building posters, stickers etc. distribution, free medicines, free birth control pills,
etc. are also provided under health care programs to the members in the study area.

6.5 Few special programs of NGOs in the study area

Besides above programs NGOs are operating few special programs, which are given briefly in
the following table:

Table 6.19: Few special programs presently running by NGOs in the study area

Sl. Programs/ Projects NGO Specific details

1) Water & sanitation program SS With assistance of NGO
forum, SS has installed 357
tube wells in the study area in
2013.
2) Rural Development Program BRAC Poultry & livestock, Micro-
finance, Institution building &
Social mobilization, etc.
3) SHIKHON program RDRS RDRS, under this project are
operating 120 schools which
are providing free schooling
to 2000 children.
4) Char Livelihood Program (CLP) RDRS Working for char
development through
providing housing, relief,
economic support, etc.
5) Establishment the empowerment of SS Working with the aim of
backward rural poor women improving economic
condition of rural women.
Primary education, tailoring,
handicrafts, etc. are few
services they provide.
(Source : Field survey, 2014)

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 6. Findings of the Study

6.6 Identification of Problems of loan Borrowers

It is reported that there are some major constraints associated with rural development
programs, which are directly responsible for lopsided development of rural entrepreneurs in
the study area. In the present study, entrepreneurs have identified these constraints.

The opinion of the sample respondents regarding the constraints associated with women
development is tabulated below:

Table 6.20: Identifications of the problems of loan borrowers

Sl. Problems No. of Percentage (%)

No. Respondents
1) Difficulty in getting loans 360 80
2) Inadequate and unintegrated supply of fund 434 96.44
3) Too much Formality to get such a small loan 405 90
4) Higher rate of Interest 322 71.55
5) Premature recovery loan 225 50
6) Lack of education among the borrowers 284 63.11
7) Inadequate training facilities 286 63.55
8) Lack of marketing knowledge 438 97.33
9) Lack of Government activities 390 86.66
10) Lack of freedom 207 46
(Source: Field survey, 2014)

The description of above shown table is given below:

6.6.1 Difficulty in getting loans

This problem was viewed by 360 respondents (80%) out of total 4500 respondents. There is
too much hassle to get a micro credit loan for micro enterprise. Respondents also alleged that
credits are not easy to get what they think and heard of it.

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 6. Findings of the Study

6.6.2 Inadequate and unintegrated supply of fund

434 respondents (96.40%) out of total 450 respondents viewed this problem. Inadequate
supply of credit is their key problem and it does not serve the purpose of the borrower fully.
Moreover, another outlook is that the credit is not multi-dimensional.

6.6.3Too much Formality to get such a small loan

405 respondents (90%) out of total 450 respondents viewed this problem. Most of the
respondent is giving their opinion against too much formality for such a small loan.

6.6.4 Higher rate of Interest

This problem was viewed by 322 respondents (71.55%) out of total 450 respondents. The
lending organizations charge higher rate of interest on loan as compared to nationalized
commercial banks. Researchers have found on investment in traditional income generating
activities is slightly higher than the rate of interest as charged by those NGOs.

6.6.5 Premature recovery loan

225 respondents (50%) out of total 450 respondents viewed this problem. The responsible
officers of lending organizations are found to give loan recovery drive earlier at investment
stage putting the borrowers into big finance crisis. Respondents also alleged that credits are
not made available in time which resulting the diversion of credit to other unproductive
purpose.

6.6.6 Lack of education among the women borrower

284 respondents (63.11%) out of total 60 respondents viewed this problem. Literacy rate of
women is 31.10%, major portion of which belongs to the people elite and medium class of the
society. The target group is largely the poor women. That is why they feel very bad taste
when they want to make a business through micro enterprise. This lack of knowledge is
troubling them to develop the micro enterprise and themselves as well.

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 6. Findings of the Study

6.6.7 Inadequate training facilities:

This problem was viewed by 286 respondents (63.55%) out of total 450 respondents. As most
members are illiterate, they do not know anything about the technical side of business
especially. They feel tremendous scarcity of training for their development of micro
enterprise.

6.6.8 Lack of marketing knowledge

438 respondents (97.33%) out of total 450 respondents viewed this problem. After investing
money to the business, they do not know about where the output going on? How to sell?
Where to sell? What is their target market? These question marks viewed us that they feel the
lacking of marketing knowledge. Without knowing marketing knowledge, they cannot survive
in the competitive market with their products.

6.6.9 Lack of Government activities

390 respondents (86.66%) out of total 450 respondents viewed this problem. In every
occasion, the main allegation is that Government does not provide any help to them.

6.6.10 Lack of freedom of women borrower

207 respondents (46%) out of total 450 respondents viewed this problem. Women in
Bangladesh get very little or no freedom at all from their family. Though they have a good
entrepreneurial quality, they cannot do anything by freedom manner for their family
restriction that is why they cannot keep significant role in decision making within the micro
enterprise or their family. In our society, they are always treated as inferior to men.

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 6. Findings of the Study

6.7 Criticisms of NGOs

NGOs of Bangladesh have increasingly become subject to criticism about their role and
functions, by the government, political parties, professionals and public in general. The issues
of criticism are as follows:

I. NGOs are taking funds from various donor agencies. Though they operate within the
legal framework of the country, in most cases they are accountable to the donor
agencies rather than Government of Bangladesh.
II. Political parties, particularly the; leftist parties, critic’s NGOs for taking funds mostly
from western donors and from the national institutes of the capitalistic governments.
Leftist parties argue that this is one kind of patron-client relationship, which increases
dependency and hinders social revolution.
III. The most serious allegation against the NGOs is that in spite of hundreds of NGOs
working in Bangladesh for years together, yet the reduction of poverty is not visible.
Rather poverty is increasing day by day while in the name of helping poor people the
number of millionaire is increasing every year.
IV. NGOs are taking fund from donor agencies for poverty alleviation But they use 50%
of their money for being luxury car 25% money for employee salary 25% money they
use for full fill their mission.
V. Some NGOs are related with politics, which is against law.
VI. NGOs those receiving funds exclusive from Christian church organizations accused of
conversion. If any NGO is involved in such activities government should take action
rather than accusing all NGOs (Task Force Report: 1991)
VII. It is believed that the personnel working in foreign fund NGOs are highly paid
enjoying better facilities compared to personnel working in government organization.
VIII. NGOs are accused of area biased. They have concentrated themselves in the thanes
nearer to Dhaka. As a reason, people of these areas are getting benefits from different
sources, while people of other remote areas are deprived of those resources.
IX. NGOs are working with the government without having any coordination among
them. It creates duplication of activities and wastages of money.

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