SOPIRET, a multi-component rural-based NGO, was established in 1985. It has been implementing a number of development programs, namely. Essential Service Package with especial emphasis on reproductive health and population, Education & Micro Finance, with a view to contributing to the development process in Bangladesh to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

In 1985 SOPIRET initiated Community based Family Planning Services (CBFPS) covering 20 Unions in Lakshmipur Sadar and Ramgonj Upazila, with the financial and Technical Assistance from Family Planning International Assistance (FPIA). Pathfinder International replaced FPIA as a donor of the program since April 1993. In September 1997 SOPIRET introduced the clinic-based Rural Service Delivery Project (RSDP) with the objective of providing Essential Services Package (ESP) through 8 static clinics, 298 Satellite Clinic, and 304 Depot holders in eight Upazilas of Lakshmipur, Chandpur and Comilla Districts. The Rural Service Delivery Program has phased out as of 30 June. The NGO Service Delivery Program (NSDP) is providing the ESP service since 01 July 2002.

The project collaborated closely with the Health and Family Planning Department of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The project successfully introduced the Social Marketing Company (SMC) and Organon Market brand Contraceptives in the project area. It has also organized several coordination meetings with GoB counterpart that helped to strengthen GO-NGO collaboration significantly.

We thank the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/ Dhaka for their constant support through Smiling Sun Franchise Program (SSFP) led by Chamonics International and we also acknowledge and greatly appreciate the support of Health and Family Planning Department of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to run the project smoothly.

The report also covers activities of Micro-Finance and Education Programs of SOPIRET. SOPIRET is indebted to the Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) for its support to the credit program and the Kuana UNESCO Association of Japan and the Govt. of Bangladesh.