Background:

Bangladesh has a substantial portion of its population living below the poverty line, presenting a tremendous opportunity for Zakat as a mechanism to combat poverty and promote social welfare. However, challenges such as lack of awareness about Zakat calculations, inefficient fund management, and poor transparency limit its potential. The SAWAB Foundation launched the Zakat Promotional Program to address these gaps, ensuring that Zakat contributions are effectively utilized to foster community well-being and development.

Program Goal:

To empower communities in Bangladesh by effectively collecting, managing, and distributing Zakat, with the aim of reducing poverty, uplifting vulnerable populations, and fostering social cohesion.

Objectives:

1. Raise awareness about the significance of Zakat and its accurate calculation.
2. Create efficient and transparent mechanisms for Zakat collection and distribution.
3. Utilize Zakat funds to meet immediate needs and support long-term empowerment initiatives.

Program Details:

1. Awareness & Education: Conduct workshops, seminars, and community outreach programs to educate people on Zakat’s role and calculations.
2. Collection & Distribution: Implement transparent processes to ensure Zakat is collected and allocated in compliance with Islamic principles.
3. Basic Needs Support: Distribute Zakat to provide food, clothing, and healthcare to impoverished families and individuals.
4. Empowerment Initiatives: Allocate Zakat funds for education, skills training, and livelihood projects to promote self-reliance.
5. Transparency: Maintain public trust through regular audits and comprehensive reporting.

Program Duration:

2024–2025 with a vision for long-term expansion based on outcomes and funding.

Donors and Stakeholders:

Support comes from individual donors, local organizations, and corporate partners committed to sustainable development and poverty reduction.

Target Group:

• Impoverished families.
• Orphans.
• Vulnerable women and children.
• Individuals seeking opportunities for education and skill development.

Selection Criteria:

• Verified financial need.
• Compliance with Islamic guidelines for Zakat eligibility.
• Priority focus on underserved regions with higher poverty rates.

Integrated Programs Under the Zakat Initiative:

1. Education Program
   • Location: Salum area, Dhaka.
   • Focus: Providing school supplies, scholarships, and education resources for underprivileged children.
2. Health Program
   • Locations: Kushtia, Cumilla, Dhaka.
   • Focus: Offering free healthcare, medical camps, and health education for underserved communities.
3. Livelihood Program
   • Locations: Savar, Nilphamari, Kurigram.
   • Focus: Providing skills training, vocational support, and small business grants for economic empowerment.
4. Shelter/Housing Program
   • Location: Kushtia.
   • Focus: Building safe homes for families affected by natural disasters.
5. Food Pack Distribution
   • Locations: Flood-affected areas and Salum, Dhaka.
   • Focus: Distributing essential food packs to ensure food security.
6. WASH (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene) Program
   • Locations: Satkhira, Pabna, Rangpur.
   • Focus: Establishing clean water sources, building sanitation facilities, and promoting hygiene awareness.
7. Peacebuilding and Social Cohesion Program
   • Locations: Kushtia, Cumilla, Dhaka, Savar, Kurigram, Nilphamari.
   • Focus: Promoting harmony and conflict resolution through dialogue and community-building activities.

Monitoring and Reporting:

• Regular Financial Audits: Ensuring proper allocation and use of Zakat funds.
• Impact Assessments: Measuring program effectiveness in improving the lives of beneficiaries.
• Feedback Mechanisms: Incorporating beneficiary input to refine and enhance program strategies.
• Public Reporting: Maintaining transparency and building donor confidence through detailed reports.

Potential Long-Term Impact:

• Significant reduction in poverty through sustainable interventions.
• Empowerment of beneficiaries, enabling them to achieve self-reliance.
• Strengthened community bonds through collective efforts and shared benefits.

How Donors and Stakeholders Can Support:

• Financial Contributions: Sustain and expand the program’s reach to underserved areas.
• Volunteering: Assist in Zakat collection, outreach, and distribution activities.
• Partnerships: Collaborate to enhance program impact and efficiency.

Call to Action:

Zakat is more than charity—it is a transformative force for communities in need.

By donating your Zakat or Sadaqah through the SAWAB Foundation, you ensure that your contributions are utilized ethically and effectively to support education, healthcare, housing, and empowerment initiatives.

Visit www.sawabfoundation.org.bd to donate or learn more about how your support can make a lasting impact.

Together, we can uplift lives and create a better tomorrow!