Bangladesh's History
Formerly known as East Pakistan, Bangladesh was born in 1971 when the two parts of Pakistan split after a bitter civil war. Throughout the last forty years, its development has been stained by political turmoil. It remains a poor, overpopulated and inefficiently-governed nation.

Bangladesh has the highest population density in the world, with its people crammed into a delta of rivers that empties into the Bay of Bengal. The country has 58 rivers creating some of the most fertile plains in the world. Two thirds of Bangladeshis are farmers who grow significant quantities of rice, tea and mustard. Yet it lies so low that 50% of the land would be flooded if the sea level were to rise by 1 meter (3 ft). As a result, severe flooding has devastated Bangladesh repeatedly over the years and hampers economic development.

Many people are landless and are forced to live on and cultivate flood-prone land. Waterborne diseases are prevalent in surface water. Water pollution, especially in fishing areas, results from the use of commercial pesticides.

The population of Bangladesh is relatively young, with the 0–25 age group comprising 60%, while only 3% are 65 or older. Life expectancy is 63 years for both males and females. Child marriage is one of the biggest barriers to girls achieving a proper education. Girls are often treated as a burden on their family and parents are unaware of the importance of girls' education. Of those who do go to school, 50% fail to complete primary education.

FH In Bangladesh  
FH Canada’s Child Development Program gives priority to enrolling girls in hopes that families, churches and community leaders begin to change how they view and value young girls. FH Canada has also trained local men and women in the art of savings and investment, resulting in two successful and self-sustaining financial groups.

What We Do

• Care for Kids: Children are innocent victims of poverty and often the first to suffer from lack of food, clean water and healthy sanitation. At Food for the Hungry we believe we have a special calling to care for them. FH’s Child Development Program is designed to benefit the entire community: it works together with parents and community leaders to ensure that all children receive hope for their future. Your support of this project allows FH staff to provide access to food, education, medical care and clothing to needy children.
  
• Savings & Loans Groups: This aims to develop the social and economic capacity of the poorest and most disadvantaged people in Bangladesh by fostering their self-development. FH invites community members to form savings groups comprised of about 12-15 people and seeks to make groups self-sustaining from the outset through a strong emphasis on leadership development. On the foundations of regular savings and training in literacy and numeracy, participants will build group solidarity, income-generating activities as well as knowledge and skills that improve health and social conditions.

Quick Facts (from UNICEF)

• About 50% of the population lives on less than $1 a day and below the poverty line.
  
• Nearly half of the adult population is illiterate.
  
• 82% of the female population is illiterate.