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About OSA

The Organization for Social Advancement is a voluntary development organization established in Narsingdi in July 1995. It works with poor and underprivileged families in the villages of Narsingdi district.

A child in a red shirt standing with a small brown calf by a wooden fence
A child in red with a small calf, one of the strongest photographs in OSA's field archive.
DSS Registration NA-0139, 1 September 1996DYD Enlistment S-12, N-37, 18 December 2000Audited annually by government approved CA firms

Vision

"Security, prosperity and peace for the poor based on equal human rights for men, women and children."

Equal human rights for men, women and children

Security, prosperity and peace for the poor

Mission

"To improve the quality of life of the poor and underprivileged people and reach to a society where human potentialities will fully be explored in a dignified way and where justice and equality will prevail irrespective of gender, caste and religion."

Human potentialities fully explored in a dignified way

Justice and equality irrespective of gender, caste and religion

Five guiding principles

The principles that guide OSA's development activities, as written in its organizational profile.

01

Utilization of Local Wisdom and Resources

Development starts with what communities already know and have.

OSA grounds its work in the knowledge, skills and resources of the villages it serves, rather than importing outside solutions.

02

Encouragement of Creativity and Innovation

New ideas are welcomed at every level of the organization.

Staff, volunteers and group members are encouraged to find creative and innovative ways to solve local problems.

03

Searching Utmost Quality

Every activity aims for the highest quality possible.

From training sessions to relief distribution, OSA holds its work to the highest standard it can reach with the resources available.

04

Enhancing Cooperation, Coordination and Networking

OSA works with partners, networks and government, not alone.

The organization partners with government departments, NGOs and donor agencies, and is a member of national development networks.

05

Accepting Challenge

Difficult problems are taken on, not avoided.

OSA extends its activities on the basis of the needs and demands of the people, taking on hard problems where funds allow.

Thirty years in Narsingdi

The milestones below, and their dates, come from OSA's organizational profile.

July 1995

OSA is Established

Organization for Social Advancement is established in Narsingdi as a voluntary development organization working with the poor.

Sept 1996

Government Registration (DSS)

Registered with the Department of Social Services (DSS Reg. No. NA-0139) under the Ministry of Social Welfare, Government of Bangladesh, on 1 September 1996.

1998

Training Program Begins

OSA's Training Program in ICT and development starts, and continues to this day. The same year, OSA carries out flood relief with food, home repairing and medicine distribution.

Dec 2000

Youth Development Enlistment

Enlisted with the Department of Youth Development (DYD Enlisted No. S-12, N-37) on 18 December 2000.

2002 to 2007

Education, Forestry and Disability Work

The Forestry Sector Project runs plantation work (2002 to 2006), PLCEHD-1 delivers mass education (2003), ESP delivers non-formal education (2005 to 2007), and the Disability Development Programme begins in 2003 and continues today.

Since 2007

Water, Sanitation and Rights

The Water Supply's Sanitation Project begins distributing latrines and tube wells in 2007 and continues today, joined by the Save Migration for Bangladeshi Workers Project (2014 to March 2017) and ongoing awareness work against child marriage and trafficking.

How OSA is governed

Under OSA's by-laws, the General Committee is the highest authority. It elects an Executive Committee for a two-year term.

General Committee

The highest authority. In the annual general meeting, general members approve the annual work plan, budget, annual report and annual audit.

Executive Committee

Elected by the general members for a two-year term.

Executive Director

Jashim Uddin Ahmed Jahangir, responsible for day-to-day administration and program execution.

Staff

9 staff members: 5 male and 4 female

Volunteers

25 volunteers working in the field

Leadership

J

Jashim Uddin Ahmed Jahangir

Executive Director

Contact person and chief executive of OSA, responsible for day-to-day administration and program execution. Contact: +880-1715-300786 | jashim_nar@yahoo.com

How OSA's funds are managed

OSA's funding sources and audit arrangements, as set out in its organizational profile.

Sources of income

  • Membership subscription
  • Well-wishers' contribution
  • Donation from partner NGOs and donor agencies
  • Income generating activities
  • Target groups' participation

Accounting and audit

All OSA funds are kept and operated through bank accounts with proper accounting. Accounts are audited by Government approved Chartered Accountant firms and reported to the OSA General Committee and to the Government and funding agencies.

Partners and networks

The partnership organizations and network memberships listed in the OSA organizational profile.

Partnership organizations

Bangladesh NGO Foundation (BNF)

Ministry of Health & Family Planning

NGO Forum for Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation

Department of Non-Formal Education

Asia Foundation

Bangladesh Manobadhikar Samnnoy Parishad (BMSP)

BRAC

DDF

Ministry of Social Welfare

Ministry of Public Administration

Ministry of Youth & Sports

Network memberships

ADABAssociation of Development Agencies in Bangladesh
CDFCredit and Development Forum (CDF), Bangladesh
CAMPECampaign for Popular Education
STI/AIDS Network
FNBFederation of NGOs in Bangladesh
NFOWDNational Forum of Working Disability
BMSPBangladesh Manobadhikar Samnnoy Parishad

Support OSA's work in Narsingdi

OSA works on education, safe water and sanitation, disability support, and awareness against child marriage and trafficking. If you want to help, or want to know more, get in touch.

Registered with the Department of Social Services (NA-0139, 1996) and the Department of Youth Development (S-12/N-37, 2000). Accounts audited annually by government approved chartered accountant firms.