Momtaz Farque Foundation (MFF) is a non profit voluntary organization, established in2008 by Begum Momtaz Faruque, who, among with a number of local wishers of the society, has taken this initiative to establish the foundation with a common vision of upgrading the livelihood of vulnerable and underprivileged and the empowerment of women.

Since its inception in 2008, MFF has implemented a number of initiatives based on the needs of various groups of people in Jhikargacha, including the landless poor, vulnerable women and the Horizon community- an ethnic minority population in Bangladesh.

Based on the needs of the community, MFF aims to work to organize the landless poor, unemployed destitute and underprivileged in several areas, including:

Objectives:
The broader objective of the project is:
The prime objective of the project is to emancipate women from socio economic and health hazards through education vocational training, health care services, IGA training and legal assistance . This project will also provide social welfare activities like autistic children’s trainer assistance and primary education program for under privileged children through running a primary school program. This program will provide facilities to uphold the heritage and culture through different and social and cultural practices in the society.

The particular objectives are stated below:
i. Woman’s IGA training program:
Under this program, MFF will run a number of training programs in order to empower women to find sustainable employment opportunities. The IGA trainings provided by MFF will include: Tailoring, Sewing, Poultry rearing and handicrafts. In addition, a mohila bhaban (woman’s center) will be set up, where such training will be provided.

ii. Marketing  and exhibition program
In order to complement the IGA training program, and make women self reliant and economically empowered, the handicrafts and tailored work completed by women will be sold under this program, through exhibition and fair.

iii. Health and family welfare program
Through family planning advice and reproductive health support, MFF will also serve women, in the health sector. Demonstration classes will be held to reduce women on nutrition and proper basic personal healthcare as well as increase motivation towards breast feeding. Woman will also be provided with awareness on sexually transmitted diseases. Furthermore, MFF will also organize free medical services for those most in deed.

iv. Hospital for women and children with outdoor medical and pathology facilities (phase-1)
MFF needs a pathological lab to support its beneficiaries in an efficient and cost effective way. The lab will also help women and children from under privileged families through provision moderate charges for a number of medical tests.

v. Old Age Home
It is often found that the elderly population in the rural areas also faces immense hardship and discrimination .In order to provide adequate, social and accommodation services, MFF will set up an old age home.

vi. Legal Assistance Program
In matters related to family law, domestic violence, violence against women, etc. MFF will provide lawyers to take up legal action free of cost to underprivileged candidate.

vii. Training for children with special needs
MFF Strongly believes in the inclusion of those with special needs, including autism, in the society through specialized education and training facilities. MFF aims to set up a community group where parents of children with special needs will share and communication their experience, difficulties, concern with counselors and trainers, engaged this project.

viii. Relief and Rehabilitation Program
During natural disasters as well as extreme weather conditions, MFF members undertake relief operations.

ix. Primary Education Program
Under this program, MFF will set up and run primary schools for underprivileged children. Here, MFF will also supply nutritious food, including milk, bread and biscuit at the schools.

x. Momtaz Faruque Foundation  
Under this program, MFF will set up a fully equipped auditorium for holding workshops, seminars, roundtables, cultural events and charity programs to highlight pertinent social issues.


Rationale including Linkages:     
MFF believes in sustainable development which balances the fulfillment of human needs, with the protection of a natural surrounding so that these needs can be met not only at present, but also in the indefinite future. The field of sustainable development can be conceptually broken into few parts, among which economic and social development and health services stand for the basic development of mankind.

Keeping this concept in mind, MFF’s primary mission is to emancipate woman from socio economic and educational backwardness, to provide leadership and capacity building, provide legal aid and aware women on legal rights rather than human rights offered by the law of land; to provide basic health assistance to women and children. MFF gas the advantage of being located in Jhikargacha, Jessore right amongst the target beneficiaries and this allows MFF to run all kinds of women development work. Construction of spacious office building will further support MFF to carry out initiatives for women and children in the target areas.