Thengamara Mahila Sabuj Sangha (TMSS)  an NGO, has developed from a tiny beggars' organisation to one of the largest women NGOs in Bangladesh. Its objective is to promote emancipation of the ill-fated and neglected women through removing their poverty, illiteracy, ignorance, and religious and social superstitions and prejudices. It was initially formed in 1964 by a group of beggar women led by Fatema Bewa and Jomela Bewa, two regular beggars of the village Thengamara in the district of Bogra. In addition to begging, Fatema Bewa used to render domestic services to Abdul Mazid, the local social welfare officer, who convinced her to give up begging. She organised the beggars of the locality and started to regularly save a 'handful of rice' out of what they begged from door to door. The saved rice was sold in the market and the sale proceeds were accumulated to make a common fund. To collect the savings the beggars formed several groups, each containing 10 to 20 of them. The members of these groups developed a practice of meeting together, when their husbands were away, to discuss their affairs. The news about their activities spread over the surrounding localities. Soon after the liberation of Bangladesh, 14 such women groups were formed in 6 villages.

Initially, the members of these groups used to deposit their collection with someone reliable and trustworthy. Soon they found a leader Professor Hosne-Ara Begum of Bogra Mahila College to organise them. A 21-member committee was formed for managing the organistion consisting of 226 general members. They collected about 8 tons of rice. Gradually, they registered their groups as a non-government organisation devoted to the development of the poor and distressed women. Under the leadership of Professor Hosne-Ara Begum, it became one of the largest women NGOs in Bangladesh within a short period of time. At present, the size of its operational annual budget is Tk 1,224 million.

TMSS desires to be strongly values-driven. Belief in human potential, peace and harmony guide its activities. Respect for women and their participation at all levels of organisational decision-making shape its all activities. It practices participatory decision-making at all levels and maintains accountability with transparency. Non-patriarchal, secular and non-partisan behavior constitutes the basic principles of the organisation. TMSS opens itself to progressive thoughts and innovations and believes in self-sufficiency with environmental soundness. It is registered and affiliated with many organisations at home and abroad.

In 1999, TMSS worked in 342 unions of 88 upazilas in 17 districts. Its programme spread over 2,475 villages. The number of beneficiaries was 268,200 families in target group approach and 3,200,000 in community approach. There were 12 training centres. Its head office is at Bogra and its activities are managed through 18 area offices and 88 branch offices.

TMSS is involved in various activities such as training, empowerment of women, institution building, human resource development, environment development, human rights establishment, entrepreneurship development, education, health and family planning, gender relation and development, agriculture, fisheries and forestry, democratisation for strengthening the poor and rural development. [M Wazed Ali]