WELCOME NOTES ..........................................................................

Inherited from a quasi - government body, PSTC has already spent a decade as an NGO and is running several multi-dimensional programs. Established to work in the area of health intervention, i.e. Family Planning-Mother and Child Health in 1978, PSTC is now working on governance and rights, poverty reduction, education and disaster management as well. The last five years have probably been the most challenging period that PSTC has

ever faced since it was established. Despite its challenges, PSTC became larger in terms of number of staff, multi-sectoral interventions and geographical expansion in new areas. In 1997, almost a decade before, PSTC had only 81 staff and intervened at 28 wards of Dhaka City Corporation whereas in the year 2007 the number of staff has increased to 1810 and the intervention area extended to 14 districts of the country. With the long-term aim to improve the health, social security and physical living conditions of the poor and socially disadvantaged, PSTC has been moving forward with Right-Based Approach and a service delivery mode that realizes the changing needs of the people. In view of reaching this target, PSTC launched its health rights project in 6 divisions of the country during this reporting period. In addition to that, PSTC has also expanded its partnership with Plan Bangladesh with a special focus on children and women through Improving Development Opportunity for Street Children (IDOSCP), Urban Community Health Care Project (UCHCP) and Decentralized Urban Total Sanitation (DUTS) . The growth and development of PSTC’s operation in 2007 has resulted in three key achievements. Firstly, projects dealing with specific target groups, such as children engaged in hazardous labour and adolescents, were expanded to increase the number of young people from these most vulnerable groups with access to assistance. Secondly, new projects involving health rights, occupational health rights and municipal governance were commenced in line with PSTC’s commitment to development through a Rights Based Approach. Finally, PSTC has continued to be an active participant in many key development networks, initiating and supporting both collaboration and cooperation between NGOs, government and private enterprise. Emerging from a uni-focal strategy, PSTC is moving towards multi-faceted activities with new dimensions focused on the project to program approach. To facilitate its smooth journey, PSTC rolls out its strategic plan every year to address the challenges encountered at different levels. During this reporting period, strategic planning has been rolled out, keeping conformity with the MDG targets for a greater degree of achievement towards the sustainable development of people. Forming as an NGO, PSTC continues to grow, by and large with the continued support from grassroot people, members of the Governing Body and the General Body of PSTC. However, the high-level commitment on the part of our staff, intertwined with generous support from different development partners, donors, ministries and govt. offices, is the driving force behind PSTC’s move forward. While working in only the health sector, PSTC was awarded with Best Clinic Award by UFHP in 2000. The year 2004-2005 is also remarkable for the national recognition for its outstanding performance on sanitation activities. PSTC was awarded ‘Sanitation For All’ by LGD of Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development & Cooperatives in February 2005. We acknowledge that this recognition is the outcome of a splendid synthesis of the painstaking effort of staff, the diversification of the programs and community participation. Milon Bikash Paul Executive Director