Hindutempel i Netrakona attackerat


Den 5 november vandaliserades ett hindutempel i Netrakona. En man greps när han försökte starta en brand i templet, medan flera andra angripare flydde från platsen.

Visitor gets both impressed and shocked


In November1990 Julie Lydall and Carleen Irish from England visited SUS and wrote a colorful report that was published in News from Sabalamby Unnayan Samity in January 1991.

1990: SUS NGO status is ratified

Margit Palokangas, in the middle of the picture, beside Begum Rokeya with an umbrella, brought a donation to SUS that made it possible to buy some land. Photo: Manfred Stüber

From 1988 to 1990: Land purchased to build offices


So many organizations, and donations from private persons helped lay the ground for SUS to buy land, build offices and gain NGO status with the right to receive foreign funding.

15 women in our small front room


In SUS’ early days all activities took place in the house of Rokeya’s mother where Rokeya lived together with her siblings and daughter. ”We crowded 15 women and sewing machines into our front room”, she writes in her book:

In my youth Hindus and Muslims lived side by side

In SUS Hindus and Muslims work side by side. These women work with physiotherapy. Photo: Maj-Lis Koivisto

Growing up in a well-cultured environment


The house where I lived was surrounded by many Hindu families. We co-existed peacefully, sharing festivals and the neighborhood.

The 70s: organising women before SUS started

Victory Day, 16th of December 2012. Photo: Mats Möller

Difficult times after liberation war


Really, it was an extraordinary time seeing the flag of independence flying in the wind. A feeling of warmth spread in my heart and mind. I can remember the moment when I took off my burka after a long time and I joined the joyful independence rally together with my colleague Razia Sultana. We sang loudly without fear: ”Amar sonar Bangla, Ami tomay bhalo bashi” (Oh my golden Bengal, I love you).

Really, it was an extraordinary time seeing the flag of independence flying in the wind. A feeling of warmth spread in my heart and mind. I can remember the moment when I took off my burka after a long time and I joined the joyful independence rally together with my colleague Razia Sultana. We sang loudly without fear: ”Amar sonar Bangla, Ami tomay bhalo bashi” (Oh my golden Bengal, I love you).

Schysst jul 2016

Schysst Jul 2016. Bordet bemannades av styrelsen och några medlemmar.
På bilden Birgitta Persson, till höger, med Annika Gillegård. Foto: Fariya Laila

Julmarknad gav 3 530 kronor


Den 3 och 4 december 2016 hade föreningen ett bord på Schysst Jul-marknaden som arrangerades av Föreninen Svalorna i ABF huset i Stockholm.

Margit and Manne, long time supporters

Manfred Stüber and Margit Palokangas is a part of SUS’ Swedish network and have been engaged in SUS since the beginning. Photo: Private

Commited to SUS since 1986


Manfred (Manne) Stüber and Margit Palokangas met Rokeya through SCI in 1986. They are still part of Rokeya’s Swedish network. Manfred tells the romantic story of how they met:

Olof Meurling shared Rokeya’s dream

Olof Meurling shared Begum Rokeya’s dream of empowering the less fortunate and he became one of SUS earliest supporters. Photo: Maj-Lis Koivisto

Beginning of a success story


Many of the early supporters of SUS were engaged in Service Civil International. Through that organization Olof Meurling met Begum Rokeya and that was the start of a lifelong support for SUS, and a success they never could have imagined in the mid 80s.

SCI helped SUS get started

Photo: Maj-Lis Koivisto

Encouragement, knowledge and sewing machines


Service Civil International (SCI) played an important role in the history of SUS. With help from the volunteers of SCI Begum Rokeya built a strong network that still exists and at that time gave her the push she needed to get started.

Månad: december 2016