A Dream Come True
Rahima was married at fifteen. Three years later, she experienced the loss of her first child, a stillborn son. Over time, her relationship with her husband became strained, and he later married another woman. Although they were never formally separated, Rahima received little support from him. She continued raising her three sons and one daughter while managing most household responsibilities on her own.
To support her family, Rahima worked in other people’s fields and took on other labor whenever work was available. Several years ago, she was working in a sugarcane field when she met a field worker from PARI Development Trust. With PARI’s support, Rahima formed a women’s savings group in her village, where members contributed 5 Taka (about 4 cents) each week and gave one another small loans. She also received training in banana cultivation, poultry rearing and livestock farming. Over time, the group’s savings and the skills she gained helped improve her household income and stability. Although the group later became inactive, Rahima continued using what she had learned.
In 2023, through the Dewanganj Agricultural Development Project, Rahima and other group members restarted their savings activities. She participated in additional training in business planning, farm management, and the use of local resources. She also strengthened her connection with the Upazila Livestock Office and began regularly accessing veterinary services and technical advice.
Alongside farming and livestock activities, Rahima earns additional seasonal income by preparing and selling traditional pitha (riceflour cakes) during the winter months. She also shares her experience with other women in the community, encouraging them to explore poultry and goat rearing and connect with available government services.
Today, Rahima has greater financial stability and more confidence in managing her livelihood activities. She is recognized in her community as someone who actively supports and encourages other women to improve their household income and farming practices.
“With the encouragement of PARI’s staff, I started saving and investing in income-generating activities. From my earnings, I bought land in my own name and built a small house — a lifelong dream.”
Bangladesh Dewanganj is led by World Renew and local partner Participatory Action for Rural Innovation (PARI Development Trust)