Who We Are
Shimanto Unnayon Foundation (SUF) is a local woman headed, women led and women managed NGO. It was established in January 01, 2005 in the noble aim to build-up better future for the disadvantaged & distressed peoples who are totally helpless and deprived groups of the society. Later on 10 April 2007 was officially registered with Department of Social welfare Government of Bangladesh. And then SUF has been registered with NGO Afffairs Bureau, Department of Women Affairs and Department of Youth Development, Government of Bangladesh.
SUF focuses on disadvantaged river erosion affected people in Satkhira district, which is a border, coastal and mangrove area of the Bay of Bengal, close to India and near Sundarban Mangrove. Which is highly disaster prone and waterlogged area, under the leadership Ms. Sakila Yesmin Meri, a well known woman social worker initiated Shimanto Unnayon Foundation (SUF) to the people who live on char land on the bank of embankment or near any government lands. As they have no facilities of education that is why, they are superstitious, illiterate or less- educated and superstitious peoples are generally making violence against women and children due to their ignorance and that the society is dominated by male.
They have lack of health facility. So they are suffering from various diseases and malnutrition. They are mainly landless, shelter-less and marginal poor farmers, most of them are agriculture laborer. They have the scope to work at best 100-120 days per year, rest of the time they do not have job and as a result they have to fall in starvation. SUF has been working to improve their quality of life from the very beginning.
What We Do
01.
Skill Development Program
Shimanto Unnayon Foundation (SUF) offers skill development training in beautification, tailoring, block batik, hand stitching, and basic computer literacy to empower women and unemployed youth. These programs are designed to promote self-reliance, income generation, and entrepreneurship among marginalized communities. Upon completion, many trainees successfully start their own businesses or join the local workforce.
02.
Child Education
SUF runs child education initiatives to ensure basic learning opportunities for children in hard-to-reach and erosion-prone areas. We provide non-formal and pre-primary education to underprivileged children who are often left behind in traditional schooling. The goal is to reduce dropout rates and build a foundation for lifelong learning.
03.
Women Empowerment
Empowering women is at the heart of SUF’s mission. We engage women through leadership training, income-generating activities, legal awareness, and participation in community decision-making processes. These efforts aim to break gender barriers and foster a more just and inclusive society.
04.
Health Education Program
SUF conducts community-based health education sessions focusing on hygiene, nutrition, reproductive health, maternal care, and disease prevention. Through door-to-door counseling and group discussions, we raise awareness and improve health-seeking behaviors in vulnerable populations. We particularly emphasize women’s and children’s health in remote and disaster-prone areas.
05.
Climate Change Program
Recognizing the impact of climate change on coastal and river erosion-affected communities, SUF implements awareness and adaptation programs. We promote resilient farming techniques, disaster preparedness, and climate education with special focus on women and youth. These initiatives aim to build adaptive capacity and reduce climate vulnerability in high-risk zones.
Speeches
Shakila Yasmin Meri
Chairman
Shimanto Unnayon Foundation (SUF)
As the founding Chairman of Shimanto Unnayon Foundation (SUF), it has been my life’s mission to stand beside the people who are too often left unheard and unseen—especially the women, children, and marginalized families living in the remote river erosion-prone, coastal and waterlogged areas of Satkhira district.
When we began this journey in 2005, SUF was more than just an organization it was a dream. A dream that women from disadvantaged communities would one day rise with dignity, voice, and power. A dream that the landless and shelterless farmers, suffering from seasonal unemployment, lack of healthcare, and education, would be able to lead healthy, hopeful, and secure lives.
Born and raised in the same region, I have personally witnessed how poverty, illiteracy, and superstition combined with natural disasters destroy lives and dreams. As a woman, I have seen how women and girls suffer the most in such environments. This motivated me to bring women to the front—of leadership, of decision-making, and of change.
Under the banner of SUF, we have worked tirelessly to create a platform that is run by women, for women, and with women. Our efforts focus on empowering communities through education, livelihood development, gender justice, disaster resilience, and access to health and social services.
We are not only responding to crises, we are building sustainable futures. SUF believes that true development must be inclusive, participatory, and community-led. Every project we undertake is rooted in the needs and voices of the people we serve.
As we look to the future, our path is clear. We will continue to work with integrity, compassion, and courage. We will continue to challenge injustice and inequality. And we will never stop believing in the strength of our communities.
I extend my deepest gratitude to our partners, donors, volunteers, and staff who have stood by us on this transformative journey. Let us continue to work hand in hand to build a society where no one is left behind.
Thank you.
Hafizur Rahman Sujon
Executive Director
Shimanto Unnayon Foundation (SUF)
It is with a deep sense of responsibility and commitment that I serve as the Executive Director of Shimanto Unnayon Foundation (SUF), a local woman-headed non-governmental organization working in one of the most disaster-prone and marginalized regions of Bangladesh.
Since its inception on January 1, 2005, and official registration in 2007 with the Department of Social Welfare, SUF has remained steadfast in its mission to bring lasting change in the lives of the disadvantaged, particularly the river erosion-affected communities of Satkhira district. Located on the edge of the Bay of Bengal, bordering India and the Sundarbans, this region is not only ecologically sensitive but also socioeconomically vulnerable.
Under the visionary leadership of Ms. Sakila Yesmin Meri, a passionate and courageous woman social worker, SUF emerged as a beacon of hope for those living in the char areas, landless, homeless, and often forgotten. These communities, suffering from illiteracy, malnutrition, unemployment, and lack of basic healthcare, are among the most neglected in our society. Yet they are resilient and capable. They deserve more.
At SUF, we believe in inclusive development where women are not just beneficiaries, but leaders and changemakers. We strive to break the cycle of poverty and powerlessness by amplifying the voices of the marginalized and advocating for justice, equity, and dignity. Through our grassroots interventions, we address gender-based violence, promote women’s leadership, enhance livelihoods, and ensure access to essential services.
As we continue our journey, our commitment remains rooted in the belief that true development is not just about aid—it is about empowerment. Together, we can build a hunger-free, exploitation-free society where every individual, regardless of gender or geography, can enjoy the rightful share of resources and opportunities.
I invite all development partners, donors, and changemakers to walk with us in solidarity, to transform lives, and to create a more just, resilient, and humane future for the most vulnerable in our society.
Thank you.Partners
Success Stories
