With the last sunset of 2007, Agami has closed its Cyclone Sidr Fundraiser effort. At the final count, we have collected $16,703.00. We are expecting corporate matching contribution of another $3000.00. This will take the final tally to over $19,000.00. This has only been possible as all of you came forward from all over the USA contributing generously to this noble cause. Agami Board, members and volunteers would like to take this opportunity to thank each of you for helping us in closing this fundraiser e-campaign, the first of its kind undertaken by Agami, with smashing success.

Now on the disbursement front, we have earlier reported that two partners were identified in Bangladesh to disburse the fund to the cyclone affected people. These partners are Central Disaster Management Committee (CDMC : www.thpbd.org/cyclone) and Jatiyo Tran Committee (National Relief Committee : www.trancom.org). You can visit their websites to see the reports, photos and descriptions of their ongoing relief effort and projects. CDMC has identified a number of schools in Sharonkhola (one of the severely affected areas) of Bagerhat Upozila for reconstruction. Agami is funding two such schools :

1) Rajapur Secondary Girls’ School, Rajapur, Dhansagor, Sharonkhola, Bagerhat

2) R.K.D.S. Girls’ School, Raenda, Sharonkhola, Bagerhat

Agami is disbursing BDT 150,000.00 (~US$2150.00) for each of these two schools.

Jatiyo Tran Committee is working on building the database of needy students in the affected areas. Moreover, we are gathering data on the Sidr damages in two Agami funded schools in Khulna (Patharkali and Bedkashi Agami-JMTF schools). Funds will be disbursed to repair these two schools.

We will continue to update you as the funds are disbursed to various projects in Sidr affected areas in weeks and months to come.
We would like to close this update with our heartfelt gratitude for your support and help for the Sidr affected people in Bangladesh through Agami.
Wishing you a very happy, prosperous and peaceful new year in 2008 and looking forward to working together to make a difference for the needy millions in Bangladesh.