A new chapter has begun for our organisation as our new Country Director, Abu Bakkar Mia, stepped up into the role in July 2025. It was a significant milestone for Symbiosis, and Noel Harvey (Board Chair) and I (Lisa, CEO) were privileged to be there.
On his listening tour to all project offices, Bakkar encouraged the Project Managers to share a presentation of their project and circulated surveys to all staff seeking their input and advice for our future plans.
In filling out their anonymous surveys, one staff member couldn’t help express the delight that many felt, “I’ve never been asked for my opinion and able to give it so freely.”
At this time, Bakkar also outlined a new vision for the work of Symbiosis – one that moves beyond economic metrics and focuses on the profound, personal transformations we hope to see. This shift in perspective is a powerful call to action for every member of our team, from the field to the head office, to work together toward a shared, human-centered mission.
For years, our dedicated teams in the field have worked to collect vital data on savings, loans, and financial contributions. While this information is crucial for project managers to monitor progress, Bakkar emphasised that this data alone tells only part of our story. Beyond the numbers, how do we measure true impact?
“We all share the same aspiration: to witness real change in the lives of those we serve,” Bakkar affirmed.
He then elaborated, “What do we mean by change? Is it the replacement of a straw house with a brick building? No, that is not the change we aim for. Even if there is no economic growth, that is not the concern. What matters is the mindset. If a person living in that house sees a struggling neighbor and feels compelled to help, that is the change we strive for.
Our mission is to transform hearts and minds.”
The new vision places our field staff at the heart of this transformative mission. Bakkar likened their decades of experience to a “university degree in NGO work,” noting that they are the true experts on the ground. He challenged them to see themselves not just as data collectors, but as researchers and storytellers.
Moving forward, our field staff are asked to actively seek out and document these powerful stories of change. Whether it’s a man who regains his sight and can return to his livelihood of fishing, or a woman who, through the care of our midwives, falls pregnant overcoming years of personal struggle and reclaiming her dignity, these are the narratives that define our impact. He has asked that these stories be shared ensuring that the human aspect of our work is always at the forefront.
The new Country Director’s message also centered on cultivating a strong organisational culture, founded on compassion, unity, and integrity. He highlighted the importance of upholding child safety and protecting all vulnerable individuals, a mission he feels must become “second nature” to us all.
Bakkar shared a simple yet powerful example: if a pregnant woman or a person with a disability comes to a meeting, they should be accommodated first, regardless of the queue. These small acts of kindness, he explained, build a culture of care that truly reflects our values.
Bakkar encouraged everyone to remember that every dollar must be handled with integrity as it comes from generous people like yourselves who “give from their own earnings, believing that your community’s suffering is also theirs.”
He called for greater unity, urging all teams to work together and celebrate each other’s successes. He wants every person, from a new community worker to a seasoned veteran, to feel welcome and supported. In his words, “Let the success of one project be the success of all.”
Bakkar’s speech concluded with a powerful pledge that encapsulates our vision for this new chapter. An encouragement for everyone to come together and commit to three guiding principles:
Let us walk together.
Let us work together.
Let us raise Symbiosis together.
This is more than just a new directive; it is an invitation to redefine our purpose. By empowering every team member, building a culture of compassion, and focusing on people-centered stories of transformation, Symbiosis will achieve greater and more lasting impact.
Thank you for your partnership in helping see this vision become reality in what we hope will be thousands more lives.
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