Pay a little extra for your lassi and help save tiny lives
How good would you feel if you knew that by buying a lassi or jhal muri (Bhel puri) you could be helping save tiny lives halfway around the world? That’s exactly the opportunity Probasy provided to hundreds, at a fair on Sunday 19th February 2012, when we hosted a stall for the 11th consecutive year at the Ashfield Park Bangladeshi Boi Mela organised by the Bangla boi mela academy.
Probasy is a non-profit charity organisation run by a group of young girls who aim to provide support and empowerment to the disadvantaged in Bangladesh with special emphasis on their health and wellbeing. Probasy works with Prothom Alo Newspaper to raise much needed funds to support impoverished men, women and children, especially acid victims, through rehabilitation and re-integration into the social sphere post acid related violence and discrimination.
To this end, Probasy hosts stalls at fairs as well as organising fundraising events throughout the year to raise funds for their projects and causes. At the Bangladeshi Boi mela we sold Mango Lassi, Jhal Muri, samosas and chocolates. We also showcased our artworks on canvas and photography (kindly donated by Manu Tejomurtala) which were for sale, with proceeds going to fund our latest Project – Project Incubate. When Probasy members heard that 24 babies died on a lone winter’s night at Dhaka Medical College Hospital due to malfunctioning incubators, we resolved to raise funds to purchase incubators which will be made available for use free to the public and assist in the improvement of neonatal care in Bangladesh.
Probasy realises it is not possible to expect sustainable self-reliance without meeting the emotional and physical needs of those we assist. As a result, we support various other causes which ensure the continuous improvement of the community physically and mentally. Working with medical practitioners and supporting their causes is just one example of such programs.
In the last year Probasy raised AU$5,000 for 20 fistula operations in Bangladesh for impoverished women thanks to the efforts of Dr Hasan and his team who conducted these operations at no cost to the patient. Probasy is working to create a thriving society free of exploitation, discrimination and gender based violence which supports the disadvantaged in achieving their full potential. Closer to home, Probasy also raised $10,000 for the Queensland flood appeal which was donated to help flood affected Queenslanders rebuild their homes and lives.
Probasy is currently in its 11th year of operation with a total collection of AU$43,840 (TK. 33,000) to date. It has had a successful run of campaigns and projects with consistent energetic effort from its members and support from the community. Probasy’s main project for 2012, Project Incubate, will raise $AU6, 000 to purchase two incubators and related equipment to donate to a hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
To achieve our goal of raising $6,000, Probasy has several exciting fundraising events planned for 2012 including: a mother’s day film screening event, a walkathon, a cancer council breakfast and a Probasy re-launch party where we will be showcasing our progress and efforts in our eleven year tenure and what we have planned for the future. This exciting night will include dinner, dance performances and speeches from our supporters.
Probasy’s next fundraising event will be at the Loko mela which is organised by the Bangladeshi Welfare Association in Campbelltown. Probasy will be hosting a stall selling food as well as our artwork and doing mendhi. The mela is on Saturday 24th March at Seddon Park in Glenfield so please come along and show your support.
Please contact Probasy via email probasy.incoporated@gmail.com if you would like more information on our events and projects or to find out how to join our mailing list or make a donation.
Shafeen Mustaq | Shafeen_mustaq@hotmail.com
