We had a tremendous turnout at our November 9, 2019 35th Anniversary Dinner with over 200 people at the event, raising over $54,000. Many thanks to all our supporters who came or donated. We had wonderful performances by Alif Laila and Mayur Dance Academy (Mishka Mukherji and Bhavna Sengupta) and the henna by Sabrina Choudhury Dona was stunning. Founder Noorjahan Bose and two original board members Selima Faruqee and Zainab Jalil made remarks. Anita Jahan Bose gave a slide presentation on our accomplishments. Here is the link to the presentation. And here is a video of some of the speeches and the presentation.
Thank you to our supporters, our board and advisors, our host committee, and everyone who helped at the event. We still need funds for more bicycles for girls, and for our other projects, including repairs of houses in Katakhali after cyclone Bulbul. If you have not yet donated, please follow this link and make your donation by credit card or check.

Please join us for Samhati’s 35th Anniversary benefit dinner and auction

Saturday, November 9, 2019,  From 6:00 to 9:30 pm

Address: River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 6301 River Road (entrance on Whittier Blvd), Bethesda, MD 20817. Free parking in lot. (Exit 39 from Beltway to River Road. Go towards Bethesda/Washington, take left at Whittier Blvd and venue is immediately on left. Public Transport: Bus T2).

Featuring:
Inspiration, empowerment, dance performances, sitar performance by Alif Laila, dance performance by Mishka Mukherji, henna by Sabrina Choudhury Dona, auction, delicious food, drinks and dessert!

Admission per person:
Early bird: $75 [only until October 20!]
Regular: $100
Silver level: $500
Gold Level: $1000
Platinum Level: $5000 and up
Sponsor a table for $1000, get 8 tickets plus special acknowledgment.

If you send in your check, we will reserve a ticket for you and your name will be on the guest list at the door. Please make your check payable to “Samhati” and mail to: Samhati, 13107 Laneview Ct., Oak Hill, VA 20171, USA

Click here to: Buy tickets to Samhati Benefit
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 directs approximately 90% of your contributions to needy families.

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, who in turn will be able to better care for her family.
A donation of $500 will fund our health clinic in Katakhali village for one month, providing care and health education for over 500 families.
Your gift of $1,000 will fund climate adaptation training for 30 villagers in Katakhali.

Hundreds of women, children, and families have been transformed by Samhati’s work. Our focus on literacy, health, and environment has created leadership from within to maintain and grow our projects. Samhati has provided cyclone relief and climate adaptation training, established the first women’s shelter in Bangladesh, and developed eco-empowerment projects in villages. Your support is crucial!

Featuring:
Sitar perforamance by Alif Laila
Dance by Mishka Mukherji

Benefit Chairs: Cima Ali and Shamarukh Billah
Auction Chair: Jhinuk Hasan-Fulton

Image credit: Monica Jahan Bose from trash cleaup performance art action, Katakhali Village, Bangladesh, February 2019

We are deeply saddened by the recent passing of Sitara Huq, mother of our long-term board member Shehgofta Queen. Sitara Huq regularly came to Samhati’s events and was a huge moral support as well. Samhati gratefully acknowledges the contributions of both Sitara Huq and Shegofta Queen.

The family has asked friends and family to make donations to Samhati in honor of Sitara Huq.
Donations are tax-deductible and checks should be made out to Samhati (with “in honor of Sitara Huq” in the memo line) and mailed to:
13107 Laneview Court
Oak Hill, VA 20171, USA

Donations in honor of Sitara Huq can also be made by PayPal or credit card through our website. The funds will be used to help impoverished women and children in Bangladesh. Samhati has no office or paid staff in the US, and approximately 97% of your donations are spent on the needy in Bangladesh.

Samhati expresses condolences to our former board member Shegofta Queen and to the whole family.

Washington, DC
April 9, 2019