About
With People, Towards Progress — a nonprofit voluntary development organization working with underserved and vulnerable communities in coastal Bangladesh.
Organization Overview
Sonartori Samaj Unnayan Sangstha is a nonprofit voluntary development organization committed to improving the quality of life of underserved and vulnerable communities through education, health, livelihoods, women's empowerment, environmental responsibility and humanitarian support.
Sonartori believes that sustainable development is strongest when local communities actively participate in identifying their needs, opportunities and priorities. Our approach therefore emphasizes human dignity, inclusion, participation, accountability and locally responsive action.
The name Sonartori represents a shared journey towards hope, resilience and progress. We aspire to move forward with disadvantaged communities towards a more educated, healthy, skilled, self-reliant and resilient society.
Sonartori was formed by local residents, teachers and community volunteers in Patuakhali who wanted a locally rooted response to educational disadvantage, health access gaps and climate exposure. The organization began with household consultation rather than a pre-set programme model, and has kept that practice as it has grown.
We work in a small number of unions, remain long enough for change to consolidate, and design each activity so that a local group or institution can continue it. Priorities are agreed with the households a programme will affect, and every activity is documented so that it can be reviewed.
Our current focus is Patuakhali Sadar and adjoining coastal unions of Patuakhali district, Barishal Division. We will publish additional working areas only after they are formally approved.
Students from economically disadvantaged families, women seeking livelihood opportunities, older people and persons with disabilities, families exposed to cyclones and salinity, and households affected by disaster or displacement.
Vision
An educated, healthy, inclusive, self-reliant and resilient society where every person can live with dignity and opportunity.
Mission
To advance sustainable development at the grassroots level through community participation and initiatives in education, health, livelihoods, women's empowerment, environmental protection and humanitarian support.
With People, Towards Progress
Values
Legal Identity
