Madhabi: Finances
Now that the good news about Madhabi has been up for a day, here’s a new more practical thread. Time now to consider Madhabi’s future.
I think there are three kinds of need here, although clearly we will learn more by listening to Madhabi’s mother and father this coming weekend.
1) A couple of immediate things. Perhaps some new clothes and colouring books for Madhabi: a few treats after what’s she’s been through. Also, a mobile phone for the family (and a limited supply of phone cards for each month) so we can keep in touch and monitor progress (point 2 below) - perhaps by speaking to her once a week . The family’s out beyond Rangpur in Nilphamari.
2) The ongoing monthly funds to get her into a school once she’s recovered enough, perhaps some coaching, and to get her books etc. I think our discussions with the parents should make this an absolute condition. I take the point that there is an issue of trust here with the parents, but I think that when they see we are serious, and monitoring the situation carefully , there will be much less of a problem. Giving money to the school is potentially open to the same pitfalls. Any ideas on whether all this should be handled verbally or a simple contract drawn up? Would that carry any weight?
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Points 1) and 2) can be covered by people such as Vittorio Barrile from Switzerland, who has already offered money. I will draw the money from ATMs and courier it to the family each month.
But where DP members could help would be as follows:
3) A longer-term strategy whereby we set up an account for her into which people make monthly contributions, or perhaps ad-hoc contributions whenever things are going well in your bank balances!
Asif has this to say: “Grameen Shikhkha pays a scholarship created from an endowment fund for the kid. The money goes to the education cost of the child. At the end of 5 years, you have the option reinvesting your endowment or taking it back. The minimum for the fund is 50000 taka”.
Through this we help her sustain her education, and possibly avoid the fate of her 12/13 year-old sister who has been married off already, and get herself to SSC level perhaps. For this I will need local help here in Dhaka to get signatories etc. Anyone available?
These are just my initial musings. Please comment and make any suggestions asap so we can put together a little package for me to explain to her parents next weekend.