Who We Are ?
Initiative for Human Welfare (IHW) is a non-profit, non-political, women headed and women based non-governmental organization (NGO). Since 2021, IHW has been actively working in the Sherpur district of Bangladesh. The organization was founded by UK emigrant Syeda Mahfuza Akhter along with a group of dedicated local professional social workers. Their vision is to uplift the social and economic conditions of underprivileged communities, particularly focusing on women and children in Sherpur.
Sherpur, situated in the Mymensingh Division and bordering India’s Meghalaya state, is primarily an agrarian district with a population of approximately 1.5 million. The majority of residents depend on agriculture, cultivating crops such as paddy, jute, and vegetables. Despite having fertile land, the region struggles with high poverty rates, especially in remote and indigenous areas. The literacy rate in Sherpur is below the national average, with limited access to quality education in rural and hilly regions. Healthcare services are basic and often understaffed, with poor maternal and child health outcomes in several upazilas. The district is also home to significant indigenous communities such as the Garo, Hajong, and Koch who face persistent challenges related to land rights, education, and healthcare.
Environmental issues like seasonal flooding, river erosion, and deforestation further threaten livelihoods and infrastructure. While electricity and mobile connectivity have improved, digital literacy and vocational training opportunities remain insufficient. Despite these challenges, Sherpur has notable development potential through eco-tourism, agro-processing, and women-led entrepreneurship. However, achieving this requires inclusive investment in education, indigenous rights, and sustainable infrastructure. In response to these challenges, Initiative for Human Welfare (IHW) is implementing programs in the following areas: Education, Healthcare, ICT Training, Skill Development Training (SDT), Gender and Development, Water and Sanitation, Income Generating Activities (IGA) Training, Mental Health and Environmental Awareness. IHW’s core objective is to improve the socio-economic conditions of disadvantaged women and children in the region. The organization believes that empowering women and adolescents and promoting self-reliance are key strategies to address long-term poverty and social insecurity. By equipping communities with education, skills, and access to resources, IHW aims to create sustainable change and inclusive development in Sherpur.
Mission:
To improve the quality of life in the communities where we work through sustainable and effective interventions.
Vision:
A poverty-free society where everyone has equal access to resources and lives with voice, dignity, and justice. Our vision is to ensure health, happiness, and dignity for all.
Goal:
To promote sustainable development and improve the lives of poor and underprivileged communities by ensuring access to inclusive opportunities and resources. The goal emphasizes self-reliant, eco-friendly development, with a special focus on empowering women and children through the use of local resources for socio-economic growth.
Working Strategy
Initiative for Human Welfare (IHW) adopts a holistic approach to development addressing both immediate needs and long-term sustainability. Its programs integrate activities across core development areas: social and human rights, economic empowerment, and welfare services, all tailored to meet the needs of its beneficiaries.
IHW employs a group-based development approach, organizing community members especially women into groups based on age or shared challenges. These groups engage in regular orientation meetings, workshops, and seminars facilitated by trained professionals, where they identify problems, assess their needs, and plan collective actions in a supportive environment.
Weekly group meetings serve as platforms for savings mobilization, capacity building, and community cohesion. Following relevant training and access to income-generating activities (IGAs), group members become eligible for micro-credit support to help them achieve self-sufficiency and economic independence.
Values
- Transparency
- Accountability
- Mutual trust
- Participatory Decision making
- Respect to everybody’s opinion
- Good Interpersonal Relationship
- Staff Commitment
- Team Work.
- Professionalism
- Commitment to organizational vision mission, objective & goal
- Sincerity, Honesty and disciplinary manner
Target Groups & Beneficiaries
Initiative for Human Welfare (IHW) focuses its efforts on the most marginalized and underserved populations, including:
- Poor and ultra-poor community members
- Children, adolescents, and women
- Disadvantaged, vulnerable, and victimized women
- Persons with disabilities
- Indigenous peoples and minority communities
Legal Status
| SL No | Registration Authority | Registration Authority | Date of Registration |
| 02. | Department of Social Welfare Ministry. | Applied |
Organizational Structure & Management
a) Organizational Structure:
IHW at present structure in the following manner:
- General Committee : Consisting of 21 members.
- Executive Committee : Consisting of 07 members.
- Executive Director :
- Officers & Staffs :
b) Management:
I) General Committee (GC):
The General Committee (GC) consists of 21 (Twenty one) members from prominent civil society organizations, each with significant experience in grassroots development activities. The GC is the highest governing body of the organization. It meets once a year to review and approve the annual budget, expenditures, and progress. Additionally, the GC formulates policy decisions and elects the members of the Executive Committee.
II) Executive Committee (EC):
According to the constitution, IHW is guided by a 7 (Seven ) member Executive Committee (EC). The EC is responsible for overseeing and directing all organizational activities. It ensures that the organization’s work aligns with its mission and objectives by approving, monitoring, and evaluating activities.
III) Executive Director:
The Executive Director/CEO is appointed by the Executive Committee members. The General Secretary acts as the organization’s Executive, responsible for executing its operations. As a member of the Executive Committee, the General Secretary also serves as a liaison between the EC and the management team.
Focus Area
- Education
- Healthcare
- Skill Development Training.
- Mental Health
- Climate and Environment
- ICT Literacy Training
- Water and Sanitation
- IGA Training Program
- Youth development program
Member & Partners:
| Sl. No. | Name of Network / Forum | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Surjer Hashi Network | Member |
| 02 | Empower Women, UN- International | Member |
| 03 | Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum | Member |
| 04 | Naripokkho | Member |
| 05 | Nari Adhikar Andholoan Jot | Member |
| 06 | Prip Trust | Member |
| 07 | Boston University School of Public Health | Partner |
| 08 | Habitat Council | Member |