Tiverton Sundarban Support Group (TSSG)

A Charity registered in England and affiliated to Devon Aid

Tiverton has a population of about 15,000 and is the principal town in the mainly rural district of Mid Devon, UK. Sundarban village (population 6,000) is the principal village in a rural district (Union) bearing the same name and located near Dinajpur in northern Bangladesh. Since 1990 TSSG has created and promoted links between the peoples of these communities. It has raised money to support community development in Sundarban and has provided educational resources and presentations to the schools of Mid Devon.

Community work in Sundarban is undertaken by Chetonar Dak (Call for Consciousness), a non-governmental organisation registered in Bangladesh. Activities to date have concentrated on non-formal education in a country where between 60 and 70% of adults cannot read or write. Children are given basic pre-school teaching and are supported through their primary and secondary schooling. Over 300 adults have received relevant schooling followed in many cases by vocational training in tailoring, carpentry, mechanical and other skills. A 30 month programme to create a community health service (funded by the UK National Lottery Charities Board) is has now developed into an ongoing activity of our Link.

TSSG has provided everyday artifacts for use by Tiverton's schools and introduces studies of life in Bangladesh with a hands-on demonstration of domestic, musical and clothing items. In this way, personal links between our communities are created and maintained. The accompanying "handout" document is an example of a simple class worksheet that teachers may like to download as an introduction to life in Bengal.

TSSG is managed and run entirely be volunteers inspired by their brief experiences of life in a place where 50 pence is a daily wage. Three long-stay volunteers in Sundarban have immeasurably increased understanding of the issues, especially housing and health ones, which affect development of low income communities in a hi-tech world.

TSSG is funded by a core of supporters who covenant typically £15 per month (50 pence per day). If you would like more information, to set up a school presentation or to join our supporters, contact Mike Tosh (Treasurer) at mvtosh@argonet.co.uk