The liberation war ended in 1971. Party Christian family members national guards also returned. At this time, to support the family by making it beautiful again. Women wonder how simple precautions can solve any other situation. As a result of their thinking, an association called Jagorani Christian Women’s Association was formed. Almost all of these women knew more or less how to sew, so they contacted shops and started embroidery work. In late 1972, Ms. Suhasini Roy, a missionary and MCC of Feni contacted MCC and collected some new and old clothes and 6 sewing machines. Women start work with these. After two or three years it was closed. Then Ms. Shuhasini Roy then General Secretary of Dhaka YWCA contacted National General Secretary Ms. Asrukana Das.

On January 17, 1979 Ms. Asrukana Das came to Comilla with the program secretary of Dhaka. She came there and held a meeting with the women. In the meeting, she explained in detail the aims, objectives and foundations of the World YWCA. She said YWCA originated in 1854 in England. Its founder is 37-year-old Ms. Emma Roberts. She formed a prayer group with just a few women. These prayer groups spread all over the world. At the same time, a woman named Ms. Arthur Kinyard in the city of London tried various women’s welfare works. In 1854, the Crimean War was going on in Europe. Nurse Ms. Florence Nightingale called upon the women of Great Britain to serve wounded soldiers on this battlefield. Women flocked to London in search of livelihood.  Ms. Kinyard became concerned about these women’s insecurity, jobs and uncertain futures. This pragmatic woman felt the need for a women’s organization. Where these women will get shelter, literacy education, self-employment and social service opportunities. So, one day Ms. Emma Robert and Lady Kinyard decided after various discussions on the welfare of women, to unite these prayer groups and other organizations into a single organization and they would continue the welfare activities for women. The purpose of which shall be to provide spiritual, moral and intellectual care, safe shelter, employment, training and association with other organizations of the same kind to women of all classes, keeping the Christian faith intact. It was with these thoughts that the foundation of the YWCA was established that day.

Ms. Asrukana Das asked Cumilla to continue working through the women’s group and assured her of all advice, help and support.

Then the members of Jagarni Christian Mahila Samiti of Comilla held a meeting and stopped the vigil. Decided to form YWCA. On March 12, only 12 out of 25 members of the association were present and again the decision was taken on March 17. But on that day and earlier all 12 people attended the next meeting and Comilla YWCA was formed with these 12 members.

Members present:

1. Ms. S Roy

2. Ms. Parimal Roy

3. Ms. Chaya Pandit

4. Ms. Lily Pandit

5. Ms. Sneha Das

6. Ms. Dolly Biswas

7. Ms. Ila Roy

8. Ms. Smriti Biswas

9. Ms. Smita Sarkar

10. Ms. Shanta Debnath

11. Ms. Monica Bowl

12. Ms. Madhavi Mridha

A committee was constituted with the following members on that day through election:

President – Ms. Chaya Pandit

Secretary – Ms. Ila Roy

Treasurer– Ms. Lilly Pandit

Member – Ms. S. Roy Smriti Biswas

The membership fee of the twelve members present at this meeting was Tk 12 and two books were bought for the Secretary and treasurer. Members met once a month to pray and discuss what could be done. First it starts with making coconut sandesh.

Coconut sandesh is made and taken to Dhaka YWCA for sale. This program is done several times in this way. This year children’s year is celebrated through cultural program with boys and girls of the members. The event participants were treated to sweets with donations collected from the audience and issues present.

In addition to sewing work, making coconut sandesh, morning and afternoon snacks are prepared and sold to representatives who attend district conferences, lay-leadership, youth camps held at various times in local churches. Thus, the income keeps increasing.

Liaison with the National General Secretary was maintained at all times. She again came to Comilla on 4 October 1980. Explained the activities of YWCA of Bangladesh by meeting and listened to the proceedings of Comilla. She suggested sending samples of cutwork tablecloths, napkins and tikozis with colored fabrics to the showroom of the Dhaka YWCA. We get some orders after sending samples. She encouraged Comilla YWCA to send the products to Minabazar, Dhaka. In addition to these works, the idea of establishing a school was thought of. Hearing that a youth club was started with 8 girls, the National General Secretary donated badminton rackets and harmonium for singing to encourage them.

Youth members receive the items and start regular sports and music classes. In the meantime, contact was made with the Bangladesh Mission to establish the school. Their unused buildings are temporarily available for schools. 3,000 taka for furniture and some toys can be obtained by contacting the National Mission with permission. The nursery school was started on 16th February 1981 with one teacher, one helper and 4 boys and girls. At the end of the year, the number of students stood at 9. In 1981 the Cumilla YWCA was sent to Karika along with the National YWCA. World Vision makes custom made school bags. In 1982, youth club volunteers started adult education classes with poor illiterate girls in the neighborhood.

At the end of 1982, National was contacted after receiving letters of resignation from the missionaries. Through their efforts and with the help of the local church, a school house was built on the site of the church.

Also, a building (library) with two rooms is rented.  From 29th May 1983 all the activities of the organization including the school were started at the new location.

In June 1983, 1 part-time staff was hired for sewing work. So far, the secretary was doing all the work as a volunteer. She was appointed as part-time staff from July. Spoken English and Cutting training courses start from August. On receiving orders for chot/ Jute work from Dhaka YWCA, one of our members Ms. Sandhya Baul was trained from Dhaka and in 1984 this chaat/Jute work was first started. As early as 1985, practical training classes were started with workers. As the workers were not able to work properly, the chot/jute work was finally stopped in 1985. After the worker left in 1985, Secretary Ms. Smriti Biswas and Ms. Prabha Debnath went to Nunabad Colony as volunteers and started work. From July 1985, Secretary was appointed as full-time staff. At this time a staff and a part-time doctor Ms. Chintaharan Dev were appointed for health work. The doctor visited the area two days a week to see the patients and give medicine. In 1989 one more staff was appointed to increase the scope of health work and the management of National was trained and after training they started working in Gobindpur area. In 1990 he left the area and started health work and practical education classes in 200 families.

Due to availability of space for increasing number of students in the school, 2 more tin shed houses are constructed in the remaining area of the church. In August 1984, the National General Secretary came to Comilla with the then Administrative Officer Ms. Milan Chisim. On 26 August a day-long workshop was organized for the members where she again discussed about the YWCA especially the constitution. She explains the responsibilities of any post through a beautiful discussion. Ms. Chisim discussed how Grameen Bank was started and the benefits of cooperative societies. She encouraged co-operative societies. On August 27, the activities were discussed with the board members. Recommends closing programs that are not profitable and costing too much. Table cloth samples were sent to Ideas in collaboration with Ms. Chisim. This resulted in regular orders for Ideas from 1985-1995.

Who has been making school dresses since 1985. At the same time table cloths, napkins, pillow covers, petticoats are being manufactured and sold. The number of employees has also increased. At present 35 workers are working and getting wages as piece. In addition to this work, cutting and embroidery training courses are being conducted for girls/women. After getting training from here, many people are helping their family by earning by sewing at home.

Coaching classes were started in the year 1985 for the poor children who go to school in the vicinity of the organization but have no one to teach them at home. A teacher is hired by that money. This class runs with 20 students from different classes. The class was closed in the month of December 1987 due to a gradual decrease in the number of students. In 1987, a non-paying school was started with 56 students at the request of the residents of Nurpur. The unpaid school has children from class to class IV. 160 students are studying here. They are given books, notebooks, school dress and light snacks. After studying up to 4th standard here, they are taking admission in 5th standard in nearby government primary school.

Contacted the National General Assembly for unused space at the Bangladesh Mission so that the YWCA could use it. On May 1, 1990, the YWCA was transferred to the mission site. Later the place was purchased. It was difficult to run the school and other programs in the house that was here. So in 1992, with the help of National, first a tin shed house was built for the school. Later, as the old building was unfit for use by the missionaries, it was demolished and a two-storied building was constructed for offices and schools. Schools and other programs flourished. Since 2001 the school is running in two shifts. In July 1993, Ms. Neela Sridev was appointed as the Headmistress. The school is being run under his skill and sound management. As the number of students in the school increased, so did the reputation of the school. As a result, the pressure of students is increasing day by day.

Since 1990 Comilla YWCA started savings and loan programs by forming groups in Chartha and Muradpur for socio-economic development of destitute women. Besides, party activities are also going on in Dumuria and Bhatpara areas. At the same time practical classes for women and classes for girls are going on. More than 1350 women are benefiting through the loan program. YWCA’s Center School. The work of sewing and sales center is going well.

Comilla YWCA has reached the position it is today through many problems, obstacles, sacrifices and hard work since 1979. It has grown with many challenges, many staff, many programs and resources. Comilla YWCA has achieved self-sufficiency today. Now there are many dreams, many expectations.