Manabik Shahajya Sangstha (MSS)

Manabik Shahajya Sangstha (MSS) is a premier Bangladeshi non-governmental organization formed by a group of students of Dhaka Residential Model School and later of the University of Dhaka in 1974 when the country was hit by the worst famine in recent history. MSS started its mission with humanitarian aid which later reoriented its focus on poverty alleviation through microfinance and development. Apart from poverty alleviation of the marginalized people, MSS is promoting food security, women and child rights, nutrition, health services, housing, and primary education with a vision to establish a society free from poverty where there is equality among citizens and citizens’ rights and dignity are respected. In January 1977, the movement was given an organizational shape in Dhaka under the name of Shahajya Sangstha (SAS) which was subsequently renamed Manabik Shahajya Sangstha (MSS). Thereafter, MSS started health and population services in 1982; an integrated savings and credit program for the urban poor in 1984 which has since become sustainable and was again on the front line when the focus of development shifted to building democratic societies and promoting good governance. MSS-WCP, the flagship program is growing with the inclusion of more members and the opening of new branches. As of November 2023, MSS is operating its microfinance program through 162 branches in 122 Upazila of 17 districts. MSS emphasizes social services programs to complement its credit program for the holistic development of underserved people.