Make a difference with
After successful poverty alleviation initiatives in Bangladesh, we are thrilled to announce that Beyond Poverty Foundation is expanding its mission to tackle poverty here in the United Kingdom. Drawing on our experience in providing essential support to vulnerable communities abroad, we're launching four new projects designed to address critical needs among ethnic minorities, migrants, and low-income families in Britain.
Building on Our Experience
Since our inception, Beyond Poverty Foundation has made significant impacts through projects in Bangladesh - from installing water pumps and setting up orphanages to sponsoring widows and providing food and medical aid. These experiences have equipped us with valuable insights into effective poverty reduction strategies and the importance of culturally sensitive approaches.
"We've learned that lasting change comes from empowering communities rather than just providing temporary relief," explains our foundation team. "Our work in Bangladesh has shaped our understanding of how to create sustainable solutions that respect the dignity of those we serve."
Four New UK Initiatives
Our UK expansion includes four carefully designed projects that address different dimensions of poverty and social exclusion:
UK Zakat Distribution
Building on our ethical funding distribution experience in Bangladesh, we're establishing a dedicated UK zakat distribution system. This program will ensure that Zakat funds reach eligible recipients in the UK who are facing financial hardship, with a particular focus on supporting ethnic minority communities who may face additional barriers to accessing traditional support systems.
UK Food Provision
Food insecurity affects thousands of families across Britain. Our food provision initiative will partner with existing food banks to strengthen their capacity and reach. Drawing from our experience distributing food parcels in Bangladesh, we'll implement efficient systems to ensure nutritious food reaches those most in need while preserving dignity and offering pathways to longer-term support.
UK School Uniform Vouchers
Education is a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty, but the costs associated with schooling can be prohibitive for low-income families. Our school uniform vouchers program will provide grants to help families afford proper school uniforms, removing barriers to education and ensuring children can attend school with confidence. This initiative mirrors our holistic approach to supporting education in Bangladesh.
Employability Support
Our flagship UK initiative will be our comprehensive employability program, offering vocational training and employment assistance. This structured 12-week program will equip participants with industry-relevant skills in IT, construction, and care work, supported by personalised mentorship and employer partnerships. We aim to help 150 individuals annually, with a target of 70% securing stable employment within six months of completion.
Why the UK Expansion?
Recent statistics reveal the pressing need for these services in Britain:
Poverty rates for Pakistani and Bangladeshi ethnic groups in the UK stand at 48% and 56% respectively, significantly higher than the 19% rate for white individuals
Ethnic minorities represent 26% of those in deep poverty, despite making up only 15% of the UK population
Employment rates for these communities are approximately 15 percentage points lower than the national average
These challenges mirror many of the issues we've addressed in Bangladesh, making our expansion a natural evolution of our mission to create a fair society where everyone, regardless of background, can reach their full potential.
Our Approach
At Beyond Poverty Foundation, we believe that poverty is not just about financial resources, it's also about social exclusion, limited opportunities, and systemic inequalities. Our UK projects will be guided by our core values of equity, empowerment, sustainability, collaboration, and integrity.
"We're not just transferring projects from Bangladesh to the UK," notes our team. "We're applying the principles and approaches that made those projects successful while adapting them to address the specific needs and contexts of UK communities."
Join Our Journey
As we embark on this exciting new chapter, we invite you to join us in creating lasting change in communities across the UK. Whether through volunteering, donations, or partnerships, your support will help us build a fairer society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Together, we can break the cycle of poverty and empower individuals to create better futures for themselves and their families.
