You are invited to Samhati’s Benefit Dinner on Sunday, October 9, 2022, 5:00 to 8:00 pm, at the River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 6301 River Road, Bethesda, MD 20817. We will have Covid protocols in place. We will serve drinks and dinner after the program and request that everyone except presenters wear masks during the program. We will also provide a take-away box if you prefer to eat at home. An online viewing option will also be available.

Founded in 1984, Samhati is the longest-running organization of Bangladeshi women in the United States. We design and support small projects – focused on education, health, and environmental sustainability – to improve the lives of impoverished women and families in Bangladesh. Samhati is tax exempt (IRS ID Number 52-1390261). As an all-volunteer organization with negligible overhead, Samhati can direct approximately 95% of your contributions to needy families. This is what your contribution will do:

• If you donate $75, it will provide a one-year scholarship to ensure that a middle or high school child stays in school and does not have to work.
• A donation of $100 will provide adult literacy or vocational classes for a village woman.
• A donation of $250 will provide three months of college costs for a low-income young woman.
• A donation of $500 will fund our health clinic in Katakhali village for one month, providing care for the entire Barobaishdia Island of 27,000 people.
• Your gift of $1000 will support 80 families with small cash grants to meet basic needs.

During the pandemic, Samhati has provided critical support to our communities and continued all our programs to empower women and families. We have given out more bicycles to girls, expanded our scholarships, and are providing leadership skills as well as education in eco-farming, computers, and more. Please support our work and join us on October 9 to get the latest exciting news. We request that you pre-purchase your tickets this year.

The ticket includes drinks, dinner, dessert, and entertainment.  We are pleased to present a dance performance by Arna and Naina of Mayur Dance Academy, henna art, and a raffle!

Instead of buying online, you may also write your check payable to “Samhati” and mail to: Samhati, 13107 Laneview Ct., Oak Hill, VA 20171, USA.

Thanks for your support!

Top photo credit: Monica Jahan Bose, bike disbribution to girls, February 2022, Katakhali Village, Bangladesh.

Bottom photo credit: Koli Bennett-Bose, from Mayur Dance Academy's spring performance, May 2022.