Bangladesh

IN Network Ministry

McDonald Adhikary, son of the late Reverend SmithAdhikary who directed the work of IN Bangladesh for 31years since 1974, is the executive director. Thousands oflives have been touched by the love of Jesus through thisministry. Some of the most notable outreaches thatMcDonald oversees are:

• Village evangelism and church planting with six fulltimeevangelists ministering in different villages throughcell prayer, door-to-door and House of Prayer Ministry.
• Children’s Villages providing full care for over 500children in Savar and Bethany with Primary andSecondary Schools.
• Vocaational Bible Institute training many students inBible training, computer training and specialised teachertraining.
• Sunday School & Youth Ministries for children ofSavar & Bethany
• College Study & Hostel facilities for orphan anddestitute children of Savar and Bethany ChildrenVillages. Stipend opportunities for higher studies.
• Slum Schools in Dhaka, Savar, Chobikharpar andNaogaon provide an affordable alternative togovernment run programmes which are often out ofreach for children in lower class families.
• Two self-reliant kindergartens Mirpur and Savar.
• Vocational Training Programmes for women inDhaka, Savar, Chobikharpar, Naogoan and Jessore insewing, secretarial skills, computers and businesspractices. They also receive English language trainingwhich makes them sought after by employers.
• Office Assistant Training Programme for youngwomen in Savar, Barisal, Jessore, Naogoan.
• Mother and Child Care Clinic, Savar providingmaternal health services including pre-natal, neo-natalservices and young infant care. Women’s lives are savedby improving maternal nutrition, promoting birthpreparedness, and improving safe delivery andpostpartum care
• Poultry and Fish Farming at Bethany and NaogoanVillage.

Topographical Challenges

Bangladesh is primarily a riverine country in thetropical zone having highly fertile delta soil. Theeconomy is mainly based on agriculture.

Population Challenges

Bangladesh is one of the most densely populatedcountries in the world with 768 persons per squarekilometre.

Natural Challenges

Natural calamities like floods, locally originatedtornadoes, earthquakes and cyclones are regularfeatures affecting the population and habitats in therural areas, with enormous loss of life. There seemslittle hope that the poverty will be substantiallyalleviated.

Religious Challenges

In 1988 the government declared Islam to be thestate religion. Officially there is religious freedom, butthis is being steadily eroded by Islamic pressure anda legal system that gives no safeguards to ethnic orreligious minorities. The Islamic extremists are astrong and growing minority.