Achiya and her family live in a tiny straw shed hut. She, her husband and four children (three daughters, one son) share this tiny space in Taleb village, in Mymensingh district. The family didn’t own any property, so the cultivation of their own vegetables etc. was impossible. The only income came from Achiya’s husband Kafiluddin, who worked as a day labor. This income was never enough to provide for all the needs the family had. Achiya was aware of this fact and therefore she was very eager to find ways to contribute to her family’s financial income. She hoped that this would get her family out of poverty successfully!  Most attempts to earn some money failed. The family continuously struggled much financially. It was almost impossible for them to provide regular meals for the children, not to mention the need for proper education! Achiya had hoped to find a way how to provide for the needs of her children, but along the way she faced much disappointment. In addition to this struggles, like other families in her village, the family struggled to get access to clean drinking water, as there was no tube-well in her village. Water had to be brought in from far away. Unnecessary to mention the additional challenges this brings, as it also resulted in diseases caused by the lack of clean water.
Luckily, Achiya had heard of an ISDP, which was held by SHED Board in Pakirchala. Women of her village spoke about it and Achiya decided to get her husband’s permission to join this program. Both were hoping to improve their socio economic situation gradually, as other women shared about their experience and positive change for their families through the ISDP. Achiya was able to join the Sujana woman Savings group. She became a regular attendant and learned about micro finances management. She received training on micro finance management and money savings on a monthly basis, which would bring a positive change in her financial struggles. She also received education in capacity building matters (e.g. agricultural training). Encouraged and equipped through the ISD training program, Achiya started to grow vegetables at home, as she was given a loan of Taka 5,000.000 to cultivate vegetables on land she could purchase with it. She also was able to buy a cow. Her loan was paid off successfully, as she got some income from her vegetable garden. The training on finance management and agriculture improved her economic situation slowly. With the support of SHED Board she was able to get another loan to increase her small business and she was provided with a tube-well, which was a benefit to her whole community! Now she is able to send her children regularly to school, too. Achiya is very grateful and happy to see her dreams come true, as ISDP support will have a direct and long term impact on her family and community. She finally found a way to fight against poverty with the hands-on training programs that SHED Board provides through the ISDP. |
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