On September 11, 2005 Dr. Salman Shah, Finance Adviser to the Prime Minister of Pakistan visited BRAC Urban programmes at Ranavola, Uttara in order to widen his breadth of knowledge and understanding of micro credit, health and educational practices used by BRAC in its mission towards alleviating poverty and empowering the poor. Dr. Shah visited the urban poor organisation and observed microfinance activities focusing on the range of loan sizes, how they are used by the women in the organisation and the means of repayment of the loans.

Accompanied by Raffiuzzaman Siddique, Counselor, Pakistan High Commission, Zahid Masud, Second secretary, Pakistan High Commission and BRAC Communications Coordinator, Dr. Shah interacted with women and learned about their income generating activities. He also visited a shop owned by one of members of the urban poor organisation who took a loan of TK. 21,000 in order to start her small grocery store.

Inspite of the heavy rainfall that dispersed the health forum gathered earlier to meet the adviser; Dr. Shah made it a point to converse at least with the Shastho Shebika (health volunteer) and discussed health issues with her. Later on, Dr. Shah was taken to visit a group of grade three students attending BRAC primary school where he watched them engaging in various extra curricular activities, which form an integral part of the BRAC school curriculum.

© 2005 BRAC Bangladesh
75 Mohakhali
Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh