Why It Matters

SSKS has worked with some of the most sensitive, precarious and destitute families across Dhaka. Over thousands of families are involved with us directly or indirectly benefitting from our projects over the decades.

And why will we need to work with them? Our statistics prove why.

About 39% of the males are rickshaw pullers who earn an average of less than US $65/month with which they often have to take care of large families. 23% of the men are engaged in small-scale businesses earning less than US $45/month.19% of the men work as peon, guards and caretakers earning even less. 86% of the parents were illiterate with a staggering 62% of children within these families not attending school due to poverty, lack of awareness of their parents and unavailability of proper institutions.

Some women and girls work in the garment factories or in other offices as cleaners and earn US$ 18-35/month. Up to 18% of the women within these families are second wives of their husbands. Due to poverty, these women are submitted to such polygamy for shelter and security. The majority of these women stated that their husbands have physically abused them for dowry.

Therefore the numbers matter for us.