IGA Training Has Changed Rupali’s Life

Most of the women in the rural areas of Bangladesh remain busy with their household chores. Since they remain busy with their family, they can’t engage themselves in Income Generating Activities (IGA). Community Empowerment Project (CEP) – Gouripur, Mymensingh is working for decades in the northern part of Bangladesh for the betterment of the underprivileged community. CEP is encouraging women to take part in IGA so they can contribute to their family financially.

Rupali Begum - a poor housewife and the mother of three children. Rupali had been struggling for a long time to get financial emancipation. Her husband Hannan Mia was a very lazy man and didn’t do any work. Thus, Rupali couldn’t arrange three meals a day for her family.

“I was searching for a way to get rid of the financial crisis. I couldn’t bear this torment anymore. I failed to arrange three meals a day for my children. I couldn’t afford their educational expenses as well,” Rupali was expressing her agonies.

The Community Empowerment Project (CEP) of ADRA Bangladesh started their intervention at the Dhamgao area of Gouripur Upazila of Mymensingh district in 2019. Rupali came to know about ADRA from its field workers and showed her interest to enroll in ADRA led women development group.

After a few months, Rupali joined the Dhamgao Mohila Unnayan Shomity. Then she started depositing savings as per the Shomity policy and was actively participating in all the activities. After a few days, CEP organized tailoring training for the group members. CEP authority encouraged Rupali to participate in the training as she was working hard to alleviate poverty from her family.

She participated and accomplished the training. After receiving the training, she took a loan of 5,000.00 BDT from the Shomity. She bought a sewing machine with the money and started her work. She was receiving orders from her neighbors and earning money by making dresses.

After a couple of months, Rupali explored a company with the help of her neighbor. That company offered her to prepare their bags. She discussed with the company owner and agreed to work for them. Then she started preparing bags for them.

The company authority was satisfied to see the quality of outputs and placed more orders. Rupali taught her husband how to prepare the bags and engaged her husband in the work. Rupali was able to deliver the targeted consignment on time.

“Now, I’m earning a good sum of money by preparing the bags. I’m pleased to engage my husband at work. We both are working together and passing a very busy time. I’m delighted to be the breadwinner of my family. Now, I can afford three meals for my children and resuming their studies. Thank you ADRA for giving me support to fixing up the snags and getting back to a normal life,” Rupali showed her gratitude towards ADRA in Bangladesh.