In Dhaka, a community of women faced harsh realities—struggling with poverty, mental health challenges, and the weight of responsibilities, all while navigating the complexities of family life. One such woman, Farida Begum, found herself carrying the burden of caring for her husband, who suffered from mental illness, and raising their teenage daughter, all while grappling with her own health issues. The pangs of unemployment added to her woes, leaving her in a cycle of despair with no clear path to financial stability.
However, a ray of hope shone through the clouds in the form of Basundhara Group, which opened doors to new opportunities for Farida and others like her. Through the Basundhara Shubhsohgo initiative, after three months of sewing training, Farida was gifted a sewing machine, a tool that would potentially change the course of her life.
On a Saturday afternoon, at Alhaj Mobarak Hossain Anirban High School in Nilphamari, an event was organized where sewing machines were distributed to women like Farida. The ceremony was not just about Farida; it was an ode to the resilience of 20 disadvantaged women, each receiving a sewing machine to kickstart their journey towards financial independence.
Farida lived in Charani, a village nestled by the banks of the Buritista River in Golmunda union of Nilphamari. Married off at the tender age of 11, she gave birth to her daughter, Alo Moni, a year later. Hopes of a happy family life were overshadowed by her husband’s deteriorating mental health, casting shadows of darkness over their once bright dreams.
Receiving the sewing machine was a moment of sheer jubilation for Farida. She expressed, “I thought life was at its end for me, but with the sewing machine from Basundhara Shubhsohgo, a new hope emerged within me. By sewing clothes, I can earn some money to take care of my husband’s medical needs and perhaps even save for the future.”
Another woman, Mukta Begum, aged 18, had a similar story of struggle. Married off at a young age, she found herself in a challenging situation, living in a dilapidated hut on the river embankment after being disowned by her family. Mukta, too, received a sewing machine, a beacon of light in her otherwise dark and uncertain life.
The distribution ceremony witnessed the presence of local dignitaries, including Kamruzzaman, assistant education officer, Krishna Kaberi, representative of Jamaat-e-Islami, Amir Mohammad Kamruzzaman, local BNP leader, Shah Rokonuzzaman Chowdhury, headmaster of Alhaj Mobarak Hossain Anirban High School, Abdullah Al Mamun, preacher Abdul Mamun, and Jakaria Zaman, director of Basundhara Shubhsohgo, among others.
As the event unfolded, the sense of empowerment and transformation was palpable among the women recipients. They represented households plagued by poverty and instability, mostly residing in Char villages along the Buritista River. Hindered by limited access to education, their children faced a bleak future until Basundhara Group stepped in to establish schools, offering a glimmer of hope for the next generation.
The sewing machines symbolized more than just a means of livelihood; they signified a paradigm shift in the lives of these women and their families. With the support of Basundhara Shubhsohgo, they were now equipped to chart a new course, breaking free from the shackles of poverty and paving the way for a brighter tomorrow.
The event concluded with a sense of optimism and renewed spirit among the recipients, setting the stage for a transformative journey towards financial independence and self-reliance. As the sun set on Nilphamari, the echoes of empowerment and hope resonated through the hearts and minds of these resilient women, embarking on a new chapter in their lives.